Storage containers for freezer/storage containers for dry goods?

[NiteNicole]

What are the best storage containers for freezers and for dry goods?

[Arduinna]

I've gone back to butcher paper for meat in the freezer, I don't generally freeze any vegetables myself. For liquids in the freezer I use canning jars and just leave enough room for expansion. For dry goods, I use canning jars for my homemade rubs, spice mixes ect.

[NiteNicole]

Thanks! I was thinking I could use big pickle jars for dry goods. Those would fit well in the drawer where I normally keep that stuff. I just need to find some.

I hadn't though of just using jars in the freezer (duh). I have quite a lot leftover from making jam.

Thank you!

[cristeen]

For dry goods, I have bail top glass jars in various sizes. I love glass because I can see exactly what I have and how much of it. But, when I go to the bulk food store, I take large plastic screw-top containers that we get from the brew store. I don't want to have to worry about breaking all that glass, but I also don't want to waste plastic bags.

For the freezer, glass can work, but anything larger than a quart is risky just because it freezes so slowly that breakage is pretty common. It's also tough to deal with all that delicate glass when you're rearranging the freezer digging for something. Because it's so cold, it's a bit more brittle, and the slightest bang can break it. I use it, but I'm not fond of it. I would recommend getting the plastic lids for the jars instead of using the metal ones in the freezer.

[NiteNicole]

Thanks for the advice. I don't freeze TONS of stuff, but I do have the odd sauce or soup that's just too much for us to eat five days consecutively, you know? And it would be nice to put that stuff away for two weeks later when I'm too busy too cook (or lazy) but often by the time I retrieve what I've put away, it's started to form ice crystals.

As for dry goods, I just have odds and ends of random containers. Somehow my groceries this week are only going to take up about a third of what I have budgeted for them, so I thought it was a good time to invest in containers.

[Arduinna]

I wouldn't put glass jars in a chest freezer, but I don't have any problems with them in my side by side in the house or upright in the garage. I never freeze any liquids in larger than quart jars anyway. I don't freeze soups as I prefer them freshly made. So basically it's bacon grease, lard and stock and rarely juice.