Storage Methods for Chest Freezer

[Julie Matthews]

I got a chest freezer for the first time. I'd like to learn the best way to store different items in the chest freezer.  I understand that they do not create freezer burn.  Do I wrap them as I would for a regular freezer?  I have cheese in an airtight but loose plastic wrap (like from Trader Joes), I have manufactured sealed cheese and meat and fish. I also have KerryGold butter which comes in a paper/foil wrapper.  Do I put them in freezer bags? Do the sealed foods need freezer bags?  Any other tips are appreciated.  Thanks!

[happysmileylady]

I prefer a vaccum sealer, like a food saver, for things that aren't in their own sealed packages.  Things can still get freezer burn in a chest freezer.  Some things that I am freezing from fresh myself, like if I am dicing a green pepper and freezing it, I find that small sized freezer bags are usually sufficient.  If I am portioning out bulk purchased beef or pork, I use the foodsaver.  For liquid things, like soups, blanched diced tomatos, etc, I prefer tupperware style freezer containers.  The kind that are more like tupperware and less like gladware work better, the thinner ones tend to get brittle and can shatter if you accidently drop one.