Yes. You can use regular zip-top storage bags in the freezer. However, foods stored in these bags in the freezer might not hold up as well over long periods of time, and can be more prone to punctures and rips.
Both Zip Lock bags and plastic containers are effective for freezing food, but each has its advantages. Zip Lock bags are more space-efficient and allow for easy removal of excess air, which helps prevent freezer burn. They are ideal for flat, stackable storage.
Food grade materials, such as aluminum foil, heavy freezer-weight plastic bags, heavy plastic wrap and parchment or freezer paper are excellent choices. It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in its supermarket wrapping, but this type of wrap is thin and lets air in.
If you are freezing food for a shorter period of time (2-3 weeks at most), you can wrap in unbleached butcher paper or waxed paper sheets or bags. Butcher paper doesn't seal the food as well as waxed paper, but it makes a good first-layer wrap. Double or triple for longer freezing periods.
After testing dozens of sets for our guide to the best food storage containers, we recommend the Pyrex 18-Piece Simply Store Food Storage Set. These durable tempered-glass containers stack well and won't pick up stains or smells. They're also safe to use in the oven, as well as in the freezer and dishwasher.
Ziploc® Containers with lids feature easy-to-use, leakproof Smart Snap technology. They are BPA free and safe for use in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer and fridge (when used as directed). Use them to store food, organize supplies, or while on the go. Reusable and recyclable.
Airtight Seal
Air that sneaks into a container or bag after it's been closed can lead to freezer burn, ice crystals, and dry, leathery food. A container with an airtight seal limits those issues and keeps your frozen food at peak quality.
SC Johnson's Ziploc® brand bags and Containers are BPA free. Our products are extensively evaluated for toxicity and safety and comply with applicable quality and safety regulations.
However, an associate professor told HealthCentral that freezing plastic can also cause microplastics to leach into water; much like heating does.
THE BOTTOM LINE For storing food in the freezer, use freezer bags because they are thicker and thus better at keeping moisture in and odor out. For general storage, freezer bags offer extra protection but regular storage bags are slightly less expensive.
Proper packaging helps maintain quality and prevent freezer burn. Aluminum foil, freezer paper, plastic containers, and plastic freezer bags will help food maintain optimum quality in the freezer. Plastic wrap alone will not provide enough protection by itself, but can be used to separate foods within another package.
Wrap each chicken part (or whole bird, if you bought it whole) in plastic wrap, as tightly as possible. Place those wrapped parts in a zipper-lock freezer bag in a single layer. Better yet, vacuum-seal them in a plastic bag, if you have a vacuum sealer. (Our favorite is this one from NESCO.)
If you are using plastic bags, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing them. Label the containers with the date on some freezer tape so that you know when the items were fully frozen. Most fruits can last for up to six months if they are stored properly.
Use a Vacuum Sealer
If you don't have access to a vacuum sealer, try placing your food in an open freezer bag and sticking it in a pot full of water without submerging the opening. "The weight of the water forces almost all of the air out of the bag, and you can zip it just before it's about to sink," says Pace.
Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to get out. Rigid containers are often reuseable and make the stacking of foods in the freezer easier.
Yes. You can use regular zip-top storage bags in the freezer. However, foods stored in these bags in the freezer might not hold up as well over long periods of time, and can be more prone to punctures and rips.
Beeswax wraps are non-plastic freezer bags that are waterproof, reusable and an eco-friendly alternative to clingfilm and tupperware. They even break down in your home compost bin! Silicone may be a loose relative of plastic, but it's a lot more reusable (and therefore sustainable).
Plastic food and beverage containers may be used safely in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher or a combination of all three when these uses are labeled on the package,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
For example, due to the wear/tear and continuous use of the self-sealing plastic ziplock bag, the plastics can be broken down and release some debris as microplastics.
According to Janilyn Hutchings, a Certified Profession in Food Safety from State Food Safety, the answer is yes, it is absolutely safe to reuse Ziploc bags. But there are some caveats. “You can reuse Ziploc bags as long as they haven't been used for raw meat or other TCS foods,” Hutchings said.
Polyethylene-Linear Low Density is a polymer that can be used to form a plastic bag and its zip closure. It is part of the Polyethylene (PE) family, which is the most widely used plastic. Polyethylene-Linear Low Density, also known as LLDPE, is commonly used in packaging, containers and wraps such as bubble wraps.
Our products are made without BPA or Phthalates. Our products are reusable. Our products are recyclable.
Look for BPA-free plastic containers with snap-on lids or silicone options that stay flexible even in freezing temperatures. Resealable freezer bags with double-lock zippers are also great for saving space while keeping air out. (Fill them as full as possible, then gently press them to remove as much air as possible.)
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.