Freezing Guidelines
Freezing Basics
Amana provides this information as a guide to aid in food preservation. For specific questions regarding food
handling, cooking, or storage contact USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at (800) 535-4555.
Freezer burn?
Fast Freezing Facts
Freezer burn occurs when air reaches
?You can freeze almost any food, the main exceptions being eggs still in
the surface of the food. The cold, dry air
in the freezer causes the foodstufthe shell and cans of foods.f to dry
out in spots and lose quality.? WhileFrozen food kept at 0° F will always be safe. Only the quality of food
suffers over time.
freezer burn may not taste good, it does
not make the food unsafe. Freezer?It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in supermarket wrapping. This-
burned portions can be cut away eitherwrapping allows in air, causing freezer burn, so the meat should be used
within one to two months.before or after cooking the food.
?Freeze foods as quickly as possible. This prevents large ice crystals
from forming which decreases food quality.
?Never stack packages to be frozen. Lay packages out in a single layer
and then stack them after they are frozen.
Color changes
?If food is thawed within a refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without
Color changes can occur in frozen
cooking.
foods. This can cause ground beef to go
?During a power outage, a full freezer will normally keep 2 days, a half
from a bright, cherry red to a darker,
full freezer about 1 day. Food should be stacked tightly to provide a nest
of cold air?resisting thawing.duller brown due to lack of oxygen.
Freezing normally doesn?t cause color
?As a general guideline, food 2-inches thick should freeze completely in
changes in poultry, but it will cause
about 2 hours.
changes to the color near the bones
resulting in ?bone darkening?. These
changes are only visual changes and do
not indicate poor quality or unsafe food.
Using an Appliance Thermometer
An appliance thermometer is the most accurate method to
verify that the freezer is working normally and maintaining
correct temperatures. The freezer should maintain a
temperature of 0° to 2° F.
To verify freezer temperature:
1. Use a thermometer with an easy to read degree display. Thermometer
should have a long stem for more accurate temperature reading.
2. Place the thermometer in the freezer between packages of foodstuffs.
The thermometer can also be placed in a glass of vegetable oil placed
in freezer (vegetable oil will not freeze).
3. Close the freezer lid.
4. Allow the thermometer to sit for 5 to 8 hours inside the closed freezer.
5. Check thermometer. Temperature should read between 0° and 2° F.
6. If temperature is not within the correct range, adjust the temperature by
using the temperature control knob. Directions are in the Using the
Freezer Controls section.
All times and tips are provided by the USDA
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