How to freeze food without freezer bags?

[reluctantbrit]

We made consious decisions how to reduce waste, especially plastic over the last year or so but I really have one major issue:

What to use when freezing raw meat? We often buy meat, especially chicken in bulk at a market with organic meat which is too far away to go there for a weekly shop. The meat is sooo much better than what I can get at our local butcher. But I obviously can't store it in the fridge for 4 weeks.

So, all attempts to use freezer suitable tupperware container do not work, the meat has freezer burns. The boxes are great for leftovers or sauces but not raw meat. That means the plastic freezer bags are in use and I really want to change that.

Any ideas or recommendations?

Tin foil?

Maybe try wrapping the meat in greaseproof paper before freezing in the Tupperware containers? Or wax wraps (not sure if they work for freezing though).

Can't you just reuse the freezer bags, thus putting them in the same category as tupperware? Still plastic, but not single use.

Wax wraps definitely aren't suitable for raw meat, often says so on the packet.

I have some ikea ziplock plastic bags that are fairly durable and I label them, wash after use and keep using over and over again (best to keep some exclusively for raw meat). When these wear out I plan to swap to silicone ones which are more expensive but should be even more durable.

Cling film works, it’s still plastic but a bit less plastic than a freezer bag.

Or you can get reusable silicone pouches.

I reuse plastic freezer bags. I label them as I use some for bread some for sauces etc.

Grease proof paper, newspaper and a layer of tin foil. That's what my nan did in the 70s.

Freezer paper

I don't freeze meat (don't eat it) but I've been wrapping stuff in parchment paper then foil. Seems to be fine so far.

Hm, I am not sure that tin foil is also quite "ethical". Also I found that I need several layers to avoid rips. Can I use wax or grease proof paper first to avoid a metalic taste?
Reusing freezer bags - I am really afraid of food poisoning but maybe worth a try.

Will investigate silicon bags.

I've just bought these silicone freezer bags. I also freeze chicken, I've been bleaching them after use.

Tin foil and plastic wrap equally as bad, Tupperware that's reusable is better. You can't freeze beeswax wraps.

@ProfYaffle I don't think I'd be happy with bleaching food bags!

pyrex style containers with silicone lids.

I reuse freezer bags (esp ziplock ones which are tougher than the basic tie ones). They get washed out thoroughly with soap and water in between.

I also have some silicon bags though the ones I bought are a bit annoying, wish I’d bought some different ones. Those also get washed out, so no different hygiene wise to reusing freezer bags.

I reuse my sturdy plastic freezer bags by putting them through the top rack of the dishwasher turned inside out.
If it sterilized baby equipment and jam jars I figured it should work for freezer bags.
I hook them over the plate stand prongs so they are upright, if that makes any sense.

@stripeypillowcase - wouldn't that also cause freezer burn like the tupperwear containers? it looks to me the issue is the air between the meat and the lid.

so far the freezer paper from the link earlier sounds promising.

Ooh that sounds good midwest I might try that as washing them up is a bit of a pain. Do they dry ok in the dishwasher or do you have to set them out to dry after dishwashing?

I akso re-use freezer bags and wash them in the dishwasher.
I also use glass pyrex type containers in the freezer, IKEA has a good range with lids and you can get the Pyrex versions in TK Maxx

If you're reluctant to use tin foil for environmental reasons, I'm surprised you're eating meat anyway. Not intended to sound judgemental, I eat meat, just very little of it. But I am surprised.

@minipiethey usually dry pretty well, although sometimes I leave them to air dry for a little while.
It is possible to get recycled tinfoil in my local Whole Foods.

I use the bags from ikea - reusable, sturdy and wash well between uses.

Fab thanks midwest I will give it a go.

@AssangesCat I would love to keep the topic free from the meat discussion.