Tuesday, March 16, 2010

What Containers Do You Have in Your Pantry or Kitchen?

Pantry CommentaryImage by aMichiganMom via Flickr


As busy moms, we're always looking for ways to make the kitchen more organized and easier to work in. Having a good supply of storage containers is one of those things that's a must. Containers serve multiple functions in the pantry and freezer. From organization to keeping foods fresh, the right containers are a useful tool for any home. When you walk in from a long day at work, instead of rifling around through the pantry without a clue of what's in there, organized containers make it simple to find exactly what you want. In the freezer, the right containers also help keep your food from getting freezer burn and becoming a waste of money. In the fridge, labeled containers let you know that you do in fact still have some of those beans left over from Friday.

No matter how you use your containers, choosing the right container for the job is important for both organization and food safety. Here are some tips on choosing the right containers for your needs:

Pantry

Storing food in the open can be a risky business without a proper container. Many foods, in a non-refrigerated setting, can go bad well before their expiration date and will not show any signs of such until the day you go to get them out and the smell is rancid. Having the right container makes it possible to keep foods longer and to keep your products organized.

Freezer

Freezer burn is one of the worst things that can happen to foods stored in the freezer. Freezer burn occurs when thousands of tiny water molecules turn into ice crystals within the food. It causes the food to loose moisture and to have that typical “parched” look. Not only does the water escape and freeze, but also, oxygen gets into the pores of your food, causing the once-bright color to fade and the flavor to dissipate. Proper storage in containers fit for the freezer will help to reduce the amount of freezer burn your foods endure as well as save you money because less will need to be thrown out.

Fridge

The fridge

What to look for

No matter where you plan on using containers, there are a few basic rules to follow in choosing the right ones.

1. Air tight – Make sure your container has a good locking mechanism and a rubber seal that goes around in order to seal out air and moisture. This will slow the process of spoiling and also keep the contents inside fresh for a longer period of time.

2. Different sizes – The more sizes you have, the less space you waste. By filling a container up as much as possible, there is less room for air inside the container, and that keeps food fresher longer. And of course, having different sizes makes it convenient to stack, store and save different products; there is no reason to keep raisins in a container meant to hold spaghetti.

3. Easy marking surface – It's important to have containers with a surface that's can be written on and erased. It makes organization and finding things a lot easier when your containers are labeled. Second best option would be using masking tape or a label maker.

A good container makes all of the difference when storing your food in your pantry or freezer. If you don’t have a set of decent quality containers, go to the local store and pick some up, just remember, they don’t have to be expensive in order to meet all of the criteria.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

No comments:

Post a Comment