WHAT TYPE OF DEEP FREEZER DO I NEED? Jumping in to buy a deep freezer can be a daunting and overwhelming task. So many questions swirl around in your head. What size should I buy? Do I want to buy my meat ahead of time in order to store a large volume to feed my family? How much beef will fit into a freezer? How long will the beef last frozen?
How much beef will fit in a freezer?
At Hilltop we had many of the same questions before we took the plunge and bought our deep freezer. But once we did we found we could keep a ½ beef in our freezer (along with other items) and feed our family for about a year. And it is so helpful for meal planning. Being a busy family on the go we don’t want to eat out a lot and we want to try to eat healthy. We feel like keeping our own beef in a deep freezer helps us accomplish this goal because it’s so easy to store a large amount and have easy access to it. So we’d like to share a few tips with you so you can get out there and buy your own deep freezer:
How much freezer space will you need?
One cubic foot of freezer space will hold approximately 30 lbs. to 32 lbs. of beef. So we easily store ½ beef in our 20 cubic foot freezer here at Hilltop.
How long should I store my beef in a deep freezer?
All of our beef is processed from a USDA inspected facility and vacuumed sealed for freshness. So you can be sure of the packaging and store Hilltop beef in a deep freezer:
Roasts, steaks – 6 to 12 months
Ground beef – 3 to 4 months
Helpful tips:
Be sure to keep your deep freezer door shut. This may seem obvious but time is critical for excluding warmth and moisture from the inside. Be sure the door closes properly and is shut tight to ensure best results.
The coldest part of a chest freezer tends to be on the compressor step; the coldest part of an upright tends to be the top shelf. Keep long-term storage items here.
Freezing your food stops most bacteria from growing. In fact, your frozen food should be safe to eat indefinitely if your freezer stays at or below 0°F (-18°C). Keep in mind that if you store food for a long time, it may be susceptible to freezer burn or have a different look and taste.
Keep your freezer full, but not packed. Keeping your freezer around 75–80% full helps retain cold air. If the freezer is fully filled, food may block the internal air vents, making it harder to distribute cold air throughout the freezer
