The solutions I endorse:
Using freezer or other storage bags or crates.
Many of you commented about using reusable bags in your chest freezers
which I thought was just brilliant so that is what I did. Sorting
like with like is essential in a freezer so you can keep better track
of what you have in there. Reusable bags helps keep your sorted stuff
separated and available to pull out quickly as needed. I like it.
One bag I use for the deer meat and the other for the frozen fruit I
buy for my smoothies. Nothing fancy but it gets the job done.
Clearly label each one by making tags for each bag. I made laminated tags that should last a long time and can easily be re-tied
and moved when I need to. Plus my family will have no doubt about what
is in each one.
Compartmentalize for easy access. Split your freezer into sections and keep different kinds of food in each area. Meat in one section,
precooked meals in another, and fruits and vegetables in a third area.
I have two chest freezers so for me that means meat in one freezer and
everything else in the other.
Freeze items flat and stand them up. Space saving at its best! I place my precooked foods in Ziploc bags and freeze them flat. Then I
use the wire bins that come with the freezer and stack them upright
with the name of the dish written at the top.
Stackable Baskets Are The Best For Chest Freezers:
If you don't use any type of storage containers when filling your
freezer you'll quickly have a jumbled mess.
Baskets are perfect because they keep like items with like, keep
things from spreading out over more space than they should take, and
allow stacking.
Stacking is important because you want to be able to easily lift the
baskets out to move that stuff out of the way to get something lower
down when you need it, and then easily lay the baskets back to put
everything away.
Use Milk Crates As Stackable Baskets For Chest Freezer by Dianne
My husband and I use milk crates to organize our chest freezer.
We have been doing this for years. The crates stack neatly, are very
strong, and are easily removed.
Each crate has its own meat. Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Fish.
Vegetables also have a crate.
