Food storage

[wrobert]

If you have something in the freezer for two years, how would you know, other than looks, if it was fit for human consumption?

[scooterbug44]

Feed it to someone you don't like and take notes! :rofl:

Seriously I think you aren't supposed to freeze items more than 6 months and you should check for any signs of thawing/refreezing, breaks in the packaging/wrapping, and freezer burn.

[Franny]

Ummm if you date the package it takes the guess work out of the equation. :wub:

[wrobert]

Feed it to someone you don't like and take notes! :rofl:

Seriously I think you aren't supposed to freeze items more than 6 months and you should check for any signs of thawing/refreezing, breaks in the packaging/wrapping, and freezer burn.

I kind of think that is what happened. But if there are not visible signs of damage, refreezing, things of that nature, should food be okay just sitting in a freezer for the long? If the freezer stayed cold then nothing should have grown on it. At least I would not think so. But to have something sitting around for that period of time is a bit scary to me, I know I throw old stuff away when I find it in my freezer.

[wrobert]

Ummm if you date the package it takes the guess work out of the equation. :wub:


What guess work? I know the food was in the freezer for two years, I am trying to come to a conclusion as to if it would still be fit for human consumption.

[Franny]

What guess work? I know the food was in the freezer for two years, I am trying to come to a conclusion as to if it would still be fit for human consumption.

Whether it would kill you I don't know but freezer burn food is not tasty.

[wrobert]

Whether it would kill you I don't know but freezer burn food is not tasty.

So does the food get 'burn' after a period of time. I ask this because I have never left anything in my freeze for that period of time.

[Franny]

So does the food get 'burn' after a period of time. I ask this because I have never left anything in my freeze for that period of time.

Yes and it has a foul taste. My aging grandmother left food, mainly vegatables out of the garden, in the freezer for too long and believe me I can still remember the horrible taste. What is the food in queston not that it should really matter.

[wrobert]

Yes and it has a foul taste. My aging grandmother left food, mainly vegatables out of the garden, in the freezer for too long and believe me I can still remember the horrible taste. What is the food in queston not that it should really matter.


Actually some chicken strips. Like tenders I guess.

[John R]

freezer burn is evident in taste and depending on the food visual. meat will have gone from dark red to a chalky pink. safe to eat yes, palatable no. there will also be a good amount of ice crystals on the inside of the of wrapping, since freezer burn is actually the leeching of moisture from food. an age old adage in kitchens, 'when in doubt, throw it out'

[Mermaid]

If you have something in the freezer for two years, how would you know, other than looks, if it was fit for human consumption?

Funny that you should ask this because today I spent the day giving the fridge and freezer a long overdue cleaning/clean-out. It was a very profitable day as I found a nice bottle of micro brew in the back. :biggrin: Anyway, this is the website you want:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/store/cold.html

[wrobert]

Funny that you should ask this because today I spent the day giving the fridge and freezer a long overdue cleaning/clean-out. It was a very profitable day as I found a nice bottle of micro brew in the back. :biggrin: Anyway, this is the website you want:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/store/cold.html


So after looking at that it would seem that it would be a bit unhealthy to serve two year old frozen chicken.

[singinchicken]

When we bring shrimp back from Sowal, I bag it in portions for two in zip top bags. I fill them with water and draw off the air. The shrimp are in a solid block of ice where the moisture cannot be drawn out. I've eaten them over a year later, and they still tasted brand new fresh!

[sowalgayboi]

When we bring shrimp back from Sowal, I bag it in portions for two in zip top bags. I fill them with water and draw off the air. The shrimp are in a solid block of ice where the moisture cannot be drawn out. I've eaten them over a year later, and they still tasted brand new fresh!

This works with almost any seafood. The trick is to make sure you are freezing fresh seafood. Refrozen shrimp will turn into a disgusting mush when cooked.

Adding salt to the water is a bad idea. If possible use distilled water too.

[ShallowsNole]

I'll go with the shrimp in water in baggie trick too. That has worked for us in the past. Although, since late 2004 and because we no longer have to grow/raise our own food, I get nervous if it is hurricane season and there is too much "good" food in the freezer. Case in point - we lost 40 lbs of shrimp after Ivan. :cry: Taking it out five days later was most unappealing. :puke:

GOP, don't eat the chicken. It's probably "safe," but I'd guarantee it's fburned.

[wrobert]

I'll go with the shrimp in water in baggie trick too. That has worked for us in the past. Although, since late 2004 and because we no longer have to grow/raise our own food, I get nervous if it is hurricane season and there is too much "good" food in the freezer. Case in point - we lost 40 lbs of shrimp after Ivan. :cry: Taking it out five days later was most unappealing. :puke:

GOP, don't eat the chicken. It's probably "safe," but I'd guarantee it's fburned.

I would not have eaten it. Just tell your son to avoid the chicken during the day.

[Franny]

So after looking at that it would seem that it would be a bit unhealthy to serve two year old frozen chicken.

Use the old chicken in a crab trap!!

[Smiling JOe]

ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.

[sowalgayboi]

ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.

So that shrimp is a starter course before you eat the evacuees? :biggrin:

[ShallowsNole]

ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.

Unfortunately, I wasn't here for the thawing. :( Being as I had Squirt, two cats in carriers, a Labrador, important papers and food for all of the above in a Camry, I wasn't thinking about the shrimp. :roll:

I am, however, most glad that I insisted on a drain in the floor of our laundry/freezer/spare toilet/tornado warning room. :cool:

[ShallowsNole]

I would not have eaten it. Just tell your son to avoid the chicken during the day.

Oh sheet. Are you sayin....? :shock: