FreezerThe freezer is more for storage because you can keep food here for longer. Well, except for ice cream, this usually rotates out quickly. But a freezer left to itself can grow into a place no one can find anything. Make it easier for yourself and your family. Go through your freezer every 3-6 months. If you are just going through the freezer food, then you can keep your freezer on, but if you want to do a very thorough cleaning. Go ahead and turn the freezer off.

• Wipe down shelves with a dry cloth. If there is discoloration, wipe with hot soapy water and immediately dry with a cloth or paper towel.

• Take everything out and place it on the counter or table.

• Toss anything your family didn’t like.
• If you don’t remember when you bought it, toss.
• Go through meat and see if there is any freezer burn. Toss if needed.
• Condense or put into smaller bags or containers.
• Think: does this food deserve to be here.
• Remember, this is high-end real estate in your home—probably the highest because you are paying for refrigeration and freezing. So be mindful about what you store inside there.

If it is in there, it must deserve to be there.

Freezer Storage Temperature needs to be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below and -18 celsius Hot dogs, bacon and lunch meat 1-2 months. Ground meats 3-4 months Chops, steaks and roast 4-12 months Holiday ham 1-2 months Chicken 9 m- 1 yr Fish 2-8 months fatty fish like salmon and tuna, less long, closer to 2-3 months and lean fish much longer closer to 8 months Shellfish 2-4 months Soups, stews and leftovers 2-3 months. Cooked meat or poultry 2-6 months

• Organize your food into groups, then place it on the different shelves in your freezer. To join the Career Homemaker monthly newsletter or ask me a question or comment go to my at Careerhomemakers.com

Sign up for the monthly Career Homemaker Newsletter.