Store These Foods In The Freezer

You’re ready to dive into the new year and tackle the things you put off in 2019.

First item on your list?

Cutting down on food waste!

There’s nothing worse than buying fresh produce or baking a few batches of cookies and muffins, only to watch them spoil or go stale. All that work, ingredients, time and money. Wasted.

But did you know your freezer can help eliminate food waste? Store these items in the freezer and have them on hand anytime.

Ginger  — Cover tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.

Bacon  — Freeze the raw, individual pieces.

Bananas — Place them in the freezer whole, peels and all.

Chicken broth — Place in an ice cream tray and freeze, or measure out portions and store in freezer-safe containers or bags.

Avocados — Mash them, add a little lemon juice and put in a freezer safe container.

Berries — Freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and then place in individual-size plastic bags.

Fresh herbs — Wash, pat dry, and store in resealable plastic bags.

Make 2020 the year you use your freezer to its greatest capabilities. Freezing these items will help you eliminate food waste in your home, and your wallet will thank you too!

Answers, price, selection. West Coast Appliance and Furniture locally owned since 1980. 

Located at 6439 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point.

How To Solve Common Freezer Problems

You love your freezer.

But most of the time you don’t know what’s in it, how long you’ve had it or if you need to throw something out.

How do you solve these storage and food waste issues?

With these easy tips!

Fill at least one half of your freezer to avoid frost.

Choose one day a month to check expiration dates, look for freezer burn and sort through everything in your freezer.

Label your food before freezing it. Using masking tape and a pen, write a short note about what type of food it is, the expiration date and any other pertinent information.

Yes, you can freeze liquids and sauces.  Let the food freeze flat in a freezer bag. Then stand up the frozen bags like books on a shelf so they won’t slip or fall.

Freezers are great inventions. They save space and prolong the longevity of our food. They let us whip out a prepared meal at a moment’s notice or store those temptingly delicious cookies for another day.

Now that you know how to correctly utilize your freezer, the possibilities are endless!

Answers, price, selection. West Coast Appliance and Furniture locally owned since 1980. 

Located at 6439 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point.

Do Not Refrigerate These 5 Foods

What’s not to love about your refrigerator? It keeps food fresh, it’s where you store leftovers and it’s the center of your kitchen.

While your refrigerator is awesome, it’s important to know which foods you should (and shouldn’t!) store in the fridge.

We have compiled a list of 5 foods which are better left on the counter or kept in your pantry.

1)     Coffee — If you put coffee in the refrigerator it takes on the flavors of other food. Instead, keep coffee in an airtight container away from sunlight.

2)     Honey — The cool environment of the fridge makes honey unpalatable. Keep honey in its original container in a cool, dark spot in the pantry.

3)     Tomatoes — These love to relax on the counter. Cold temperatures negatively impact tomatoes’ flavor and texture.

4)     Onions — Store whole onions at room temperature.

5)     Avocados — The refrigerator will slow down their ripening process. Leave them on your counter and once they’re ripe, whip up some guacamole!

When your food is stored correctly, the flavors will shine and you’ll have less food waste. A win-win situation!

Answers, price, selection. West Coast Appliance and Furniture locally owned since 1980. 

Located at 6439 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point.