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a kennedy

(32,324 posts)
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 11:26 AM Nov 23

Freezer question.....does it really matter what container you use to say, freeze chili???

A good friend just brought me her husband’s famous chili, and home made rolls. She said “now make sure you use a freezer safe container, not this one”, meaning the one she gave to me with the chili in it. I’m thinking what’s the difference in containers???

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Freezer question.....does it really matter what container you use to say, freeze chili??? (Original Post) a kennedy Nov 23 OP
Some glass containers can explode in the freezer. Lonestarblue Nov 23 #1
Just don't overfill glass so ot has room to expand. 1WorldHope Nov 23 #2
I have switched over to glass for most of our food storage... 3catwoman3 Nov 23 #3
My choice too. And as another mentioned, just don't fully fill to allow for some expansion and you'll be good to go hlthe2b Nov 23 #4
I have done the same. Diamond_Dog Nov 23 #6
Some plastic food containers get brittle in the freezer Easterncedar Nov 23 #5
Sort Of, Yes ProfessorGAC Nov 23 #7
Now seriously, why didn't I think of that...... a kennedy Nov 23 #8

Lonestarblue

(11,983 posts)
1. Some glass containers can explode in the freezer.
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 11:32 AM
Nov 23

For something liquid like a soup, I generally use a plastic container even though I’ve been trying to cut down on plastics use. I have found freezer-safe glassware though it probably does exist.

3catwoman3

(25,681 posts)
3. I have switched over to glass for most of our food storage...
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 12:05 PM
Nov 23

...for anything with a liquid component. Anchor Hocking brand is made in America, and is oven, freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. So far, I'm very happy with this decision. Besides cutting down on plastics, I like being able to store and reheat leftovers in the same container, and if it is a small serving of whatever, and I'm home alone, I can eat from that same container, so fewer dishes to rinse after using, cutting down a bit on water use. Win-win-win.

And, no staining from anything containing tomato sauce.

From their info site - Anchor Hocking glass bakeware: Can be used in the freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven up to 425°F

hlthe2b

(106,786 posts)
4. My choice too. And as another mentioned, just don't fully fill to allow for some expansion and you'll be good to go
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 12:17 PM
Nov 23

to defrost and reheat.

Diamond_Dog

(35,177 posts)
6. I have done the same.
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 01:46 PM
Nov 23

Bought all Anchor Hocking glass containers for storage and for freezing.

With some plastics you don’t know if they contain chemicals that will leech into your food.

Easterncedar

(3,650 posts)
5. Some plastic food containers get brittle in the freezer
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 01:09 PM
Nov 23

I have found some just crack, even if not filled up. I use freezer bags, even for soup, and also reuse Talenti gelato containers, which have a sturdy lid. It helps that I have a friend who is addicted to Talenti, and is glad to get rid of the evidence.

ProfessorGAC

(70,625 posts)
7. Sort Of, Yes
Sat Nov 23, 2024, 07:28 PM
Nov 23

Food aging, even at low temperature is mostly a function of oxidation. Oxidation slows down as temperature decreases, but it doesn't stop until below the activation energy, which is closer to liquid nitrogen temperature than it I'd to freezer temperature.
The less oxygen the better.
A nearly full container has very little heads headspace for O2.
In addition, a larger container very likely has a larger diameter. Hence, we have a higher surface area per unit volume.
Now, we could have more oxygen and more contact of the food with it.
The tallest & lowest volume container that actually fits the contents would be the preference.

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