How do I know if a container is freezer safe?

Author: Mr. Kelvin Kuvalis DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, September 4, 2025

If you don't see the snowflake symbol, avoid putting your new containers in the freezer. Extreme temperatures can deteriorate plastic, and if containers aren't food safe, this can cause chemicals to spread to food when the containers are taken out of the freezer.

What is the symbol for freezer safe containers?

Freeze Safe Symbol: The freeze safe symbol, usually depicting a snowflake or a snowflake inside a triangle, indicates that the plastic container is suitable for freezing food items.

What containers are freezer safe?

The Best Types of Packaging for the Freezer
  • Wrap. Whether foil, paper, or plastic, there are a number of wraps to help you insulate food from the colder air (and frost) of the freezer. ...
  • Zip-Top Freezer Bags. ...
  • Plastic Boxes with Lids. ...
  • Aluminum Pans with Lids. ...
  • Glass Jars, Bowls, or Pans with Plastic Lids. ...
  • Vacuum Sealer.

Can all containers go in the freezer?

Most food-grade containers can be frozen, but some work better than others. Filmy plastics and paper cartons won't keep moisture out for long. Meat sold on Styrofoam trays and wrapped in clingy plastic will deteriorate quickly and should be rewrapped in freezer or butcher paper or vacuum sealed.

How can you tell if a jar is freezer safe?

The way to tell which (Ball/Kerr) jars are suitable for freezing is to look at the sides. Straight sides are suitable for the freezer. Any (Ball/Kerr) jar with a ``shoulder'' cannot be put in the freezer safely but is a appropriate for canning.

How do you know if a container is freezer safe?

Are all glass containers freezer safe?

Only if it says freezer-safe (usually tempered glass). Otherwise, it can crack and that's no fun. Also make sure to remember that liquids expand, and glass has no wiggle room, so if you're freezing in a freezer-safe glass container, you still want to leave a little room at the top.

Can you put regular mason jars in the freezer?

Freezing Food In Canning Jars, January 21, 2020

Regular mouth jars are not recommended for freezing because of the shoulders. As we know, when liquid freezes it expands. Therefore it is critical that enough headspace is available to allow for this expansion.

What container material should never put in the freezer?

Room can be left in containers to account for this expansion but it is not always able to prevent damage to a container. Polypropylene and PVC are both plastics that are brittle at temperatures below freezing. Polystyrene is considered brittle at 68°F and is very brittle at temperatures below freezing.

Will a glass jar crack in the freezer?

If a jar is narrow, or has sides that taper inwards, the extra pressure placed on the glass sides as the contents freeze will make it crack (which relieves the stress).

How to tell if Tupperware is freezer safe?

Is your plastic container dotted with a snowflake symbol or two? This means it's safe to stow your container in the freezer—a godsend when you've made a delicious pot of stew and want to keep it around for later consumption.

What container can I use to freeze?

Glass containers

Glass jars and storage containers are microwavable, dishwasher-safe and often freezable. This puts them among the best ways to freeze food without plastic.

Is it better to freeze food in plastic or glass?

FOR STORING LEFTOVERS IN THE FRIDGE & FREEZER: GLASS

For storing food in the fridge or freezer, glass, particularly OXO's set wins. The containers are freezer-safe so the glass won't break, leakproof with a tight seal (no mysterious liquids sticking to your refrigerator shelves!), and easy to clean.

What should not be stored in freezer?

Being able to freeze food and being pleased with the quality after defrosting are two different things. Some foods simply don't freeze well. Examples are mayonnaise, cream sauce and lettuce. Raw meat and poultry maintain their quality longer than their cooked counterparts because moisture is lost during cooking.

Is my container freezer safe?

Only put plastics in the freezer if they have a freezer-safe label. Single use containers, such as ice cream or milk cartons, should be avoided for freezer use. According to MSU Extension, use containers in the freezer that are moisture-vapor resistant, leak proof, and easy to seal.

What does the triangle symbol mean on containers?

It looks like a recycling symbol (three bent arrows forming a triangle) with a number inside. This symbol does not depict the number of times that the plastic has been recycled, as is commonly believed. Instead, the symbol is used to tell recyclers and waste management handlers what the plastic is made from.

What is the snowflake symbol on the freezer?

The snowflake or an Igloo indicates the coldest temperature of the freezer from 1–7 it may differ according to the different models of the refrigerator the 7 indicates the highest level so it is indicate by using the snowflake or igloo icons.

How do I know if my glass is freezer safe?

Particular types of glass jars and containers are safe to put in the freezer. But not all glass containers are freezer safe. When purchasing glass containers try to choose tempered glass or freezer-safe. This will ensure that your container will remain in one piece when you want to chill your food or drink.

What's the best container to freeze spaghetti sauce in?

What Are the Best Containers to Use? Glass, plastic and even freezer-safe bags all work perfectly (just make sure the bags are heavy duty). No matter what container you choose, pick something that's airtight.

Can pyrex go in the freezer?

Our borosilicate glass products can be put into freezer and can resist till -40°c.

What is a freezer friendly container?

The best freezer storage containers to prevent freezer burn are those that provide an airtight seal and lock out moisture. Look for BPA-free plastic containers with snap-on lids or silicone options that stay flexible even in freezing temperatures.

Can I freeze food in mason jars?

Jars with tapered sides or straight sides are freezer safe; shouldered jars are not.

Can rubbermaid glass containers go in the freezer?

General Usage: Rubbermaid Glass can be used for storing and heating food. Glassware is freezer, refrigerator, and microwave safe. Use glassware for warming and reheating food in microwave oven and in preheated oven.

How do you know if a Mason jar is freezer safe?

It is important to only freeze in mason jars that do not have shoulders (jars that are straight sided or “tapered”) are the easiest because the contents can expand upward in the jar during freezing, especially if you're freezing liquids (jams, jelly, soup, broth, etc).

Can you freeze soup in Ziploc bags?

If using glass containers, be sure they're made of tempered glass that can be frozen. If you're using any type of plastic, be sure it's BPA-free. I especially love freezing soup flat in zip-top gallon-sized bags, as I feel it's a more efficient use of (very precious) freezer real estate.

Can you freeze spaghetti sauce in glass jars?

Most foods will freeze well in glass including fruit, vegetables, soups and sauces, baby food, leftovers, biscuits, and vegetable peels and scraps (great for making stock).

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