Can You Put Glass Storage Containers in the Freezer?
Anyone who has ever tried to freeze some meal leftovers or fresh fruits for the winter, probably wondered: what container is the best? There are plenty of options:
- tin foil;
- zip-lock bags;
- plastic containers;
- glass jars and containers;
- ceramic tableware;
- cling wrap, etc.
Besides, can you put glass containers in the freezer easy? But not all of them are equally good at keeping food in the freezer. Glass is considered one of the safest and ecological materials to come in contact with food. It is suitable for all kinds of food: cereal, cooked meals, dairy, fruit preserves, jams, juices, etc. But when it comes to freezing many people are reluctant to use glass to the purpose. If you are one of them, keep reading to find out how to use glass containers for freezing food.
What is the Best Container to Freeze Food in?
| Type of container | What to use for | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum foil | Large pieces of solid food: meat, fish, bread, dough, etc. | Cheap, fast, easy, safe | Do not seal properly, only good for a short period of time |
| Freezer bags | Berries, sliced fruits and vegetables | Cheap, easy to use, easy to identify what is inside, airtight | Not environmentally friendly, not suitable for long-term storage |
| Plastic containers | Semi-prepared meals, meal leftovers, party food | Create organized space, stackable, airtight | Can be unsafe if stored for a long period of time |
| Disposable take-away containers | Take-away food, party food | Allow to organize multiple servings of food | Cannot be used for long-term storage, non-sealable |
| Glass containers | All kinds of meals and raw food in moderate amounts | Safe, ecological, easy to maintain | Can be quite expensive, not suitable for large pieces of solid food |
| Glass jars | Juices, sauces, jams, soups | Safe, ecological, easy to maintain | Can break is frozen or thawed improperly |
When you freeze food, you obviously plan to store it to a long period of time. Therefore, a container must be safe enough to allow continuous storage without causing untimely deterioration of smell, taste, and texture of the food. What does that mean on practice? First of all, a container must be air-tight, well-sealed and moisture- and vapor-resistant. Besides, it should be made of rigid material, that will not accidentally break or tear (like a plastic bag). This is especially important if you have a large commercial-grade freezer full of food supplies.
What is Safe Food Storage Containers?
Another important thing you need to consider is safety of the material. Some types of plastic are not safe to freeze food in. Others are only good for one-time use and must be recycled after the contents is gone (i.e. plastic bottles). In any case, plastic undergoes some structural changes when frozen. The effect of these changes on the food we consume, and thus our health, is yet understudied. Glass and ceramics do not release their particles into the food that is inside. Therefore, such containers are perfectly safe for our health.
What is Reusable Food Storage Containers?
If you want the container you serve you faithfully for a long period of time, it should be durable and, of course, reusable. Using the same container repeatedly instead of disposable ones is not only more economical but also better for the environment.
Of course, a container for freezing food must be resistant to sub-zero temperatures. Not all kinds of glass, plastic and ceramics can withstand such low temperatures. You should always look for specific labeling that indicates freezer safety of a container.
Glass containers answer all the above-mentioned choice criteria. They are safe, durable, air-tight and ecological. However, one question still remains: ‘Does glass break in the freezer?” Yes and no, depending on what kind of glass you use. Tempered glass and special glass for freezing will not break if properly frozen. There is a wide selection of freezer containers for soup, salads, casseroles, and other types of food.
Advantages of glass containers for freezing:
- Do not contain petrochemicals and other potentially harmful substances.
- Eco-friendly.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Easy to wash.
- Non-porous, therefore hygienic.
- Do not absorb odors.
- Mold-resistant.
- Look as good as new even after years of active usage.
- Make your freezer look stylish and organized.
Tips to Ensure Better Freezing Experience with Glass Containers
Let’s look at it, and at the same time, we’ll learn correctly and most importantly safe to freeze a variety of products in glass containers.
Can I freeze glass jars?
Jars that are used for canning are made of tempered glass. This type of glass is resistant to low temperatures, therefore is safe to freeze food in. But still, there are some precautions you need to take.
Can you freeze glass jars of spaghetti sauce?
Freezing store-bought vacuum-sealed jars of sauce or other liquids is not a good idea. First of all, a full jar of sauce would be probably too full for freezing. The optimal amount of liquid for freezing is two-thirds of a jar. The extra space is required to accommodate an expansion of the liquid as it freezes. Besides, when liquid freezes it creates extra pressure on the walls of a jar. In vacuum-sealed jars, there is no way to release this pressure. Therefore, glass can break from stress.
How can you freeze jam in glass jars?
The best way to freeze substances in a glass jar is to put it in a freezer without a lid. Once it is completely frozen (that should not take long), you can put a lid on to save the contents from freezer burn and preserve its taste and smell. In that way, you can be sure that the pressure will not break a jar.
How long does it take something to freeze?
That depends on the type of food, your freezer temperature and the initial temperature of the item you want to freeze.
How long can a glass bottle stay in the freezer?
There is no limitation to the time that a glass bottle can stay in a freezer. Just remember that the longer it contents remains frozen, the less palatable its turns out once thawed. Besides, even in frozen state, each product has a “best before” date. So you should not rely on your freezer to safe keep your food for years.
How to Thaw Glass Containers and Bottles Properly?
Freezing is only half of the job. If you want to enjoy your frozen meals and drinks at their best, you should know how to thaw them. Proper thawing also helps you avoid glass breakage. Rule number one: never thaw glass containers in hot water or microwave. The best way is to allow them stay in a fridge until completely thawed. That might take a while, up to a couple of days. If you are in a hurry, you can let a glass jar sit in cold water and then replace it with lukewarm water to even faster thawing.
Can You Freeze Glass Tupperware?
Yes, glass Tupperware can be placed in a freezer! Just like a superhero’s cape, it withstands freezing temperature to make sure that your leftovers remains safe.
All glass containers are not created equal. Some may be just fine to use when exposed to hot and cold conditions but others can break when exposed to these conditions. So it is a good idea to make sure you are getting good glass for your stuff that can break in hot or cold climates just as you would want good glass to be playing on your team.
Check for labels that say “freezer-safe” or “safe for freezing” on your glass containers. These are the ones that can handle the frosty freezer without turning into a shattered mess.
Due to safety concerns, food should leave adequate space for food expansion in the freezer. Food can expand quite a bit in the bitterly cold temperatures, and allow for the room in the vessel, so that you can preclude any damage that might occur if the glassware was frozen and expanded.
The glass containers, in which the frozen foods are held, must be unraveled deliberately to avoid shattering. The edibles should be thawed in the refrigerator or at room temperature, not having anything sharply or harshly done to them.
When it’s time to defrost your frozen goodies, do it gently. No superhero leaps here! Gradually thaw your glass Tupperware in the fridge or at room temperature to prevent any unwanted cracks.
Remember, glass Tupperware can be your freezing sidekick, but it needs a little TLC. Find the ones labeled as freezer-safe, leave some room for food expansion, and thaw them gently. Your leftovers will thank you for keeping them safe and sound in the icy depths of the freezer!
Conclusion: can you put glass containers in the freezer
Glass is probably the best solution for freezing food. You should not be afraid to put glass containers in a freezer. Glass will not break as long as you take simple precautions and use proper containers. Some might be quite costly, but the benefits from using glass containers for freezing are worth paying for.
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