17 Cheap Freezer Organizing Hacks You Need
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Freezers can quickly become the biggest source of chaos in a kitchen, if not carefully organized. I’ve fallen prey to this more than once.
After all, it’s so easy to just cram things in there, shut the door, and never look back! But the problem is, it’s almost impossible to find what you need if this is your approach.
Plus, so many organization hacks cost an arm and a leg. So, we’re solving the problem. Today, I’ve rounded up seventeen affordable freezer organizing ideas.
I hope you find some inspiration to keep that chaotic freezer clean and organized!
1. Categorized Food
Source: @serenespacesllc
My first hack is super simple, and ideal if you have a chest freezer at home! Chest freezers can get crowded, and important ingredients can end up at the bottom of the pile. You don’t want to lose those!
Thankfully, all you have to do is pick up some wire baskets. Measure out the inside of your chest freezer, pick out the baskets, and organize your food by category.
I love these wire baskets for this hack, because they’re affordable, but still look great.
2. Clear Bins
Source: @deannadewaldhome
If you have a tall freezer where you store your frozen meals or leftovers, this is the idea for you! It’s so easy to organize all your different meals by stacking your shelves with some clear bins.
The clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside each one, even without the label. That said, I love including labels because it makes it easier to keep the bins organized over time.
3. Stainless Steel Containers
Source: @living_an_organised_life
I don’t know about you, but there are some frozen fruits and vegetables that I always make sure are in my freezer. While the bags work alright, I love having them in an easily-accessible container, ready to go.
Struggling with a million bags cluttering limited fridge space? Stack some easy-access containers with built-in scoops to make it easier on yourself! This saves so much time and frustration while cooking.
Pick any containers you like, and store these clear plastic scoops inside to make grabbing things easier.
4. Lined Up for More Room
Source: @thehomehabit
I know it sounds simple, but sometimes the best solutions are the simplest! If you’re operating with limited space in your freezer, why not try making use of some of that vertical space?
I like using reusable freezer bags to seal my food, then stacking them side by side. It saves on so much space. Plus, you can pull your ingredients out like books as you need them. No fussy stacks to deal with!
5. Foil Pan Containers with Labels on the sides
Source: @simplified_living_
If you love to meal prep but don’t feel like you have the freezer space for it, this idea might be your saving grace. Instead of crowding plastic bags or separate ingredients into your freezer, try using foil pans!
All you have to do is prepare your meal and transfer it to your foil pan containers. Label them on the sides for easy access, and store safely. This makes your meals so easy to find. Not to mention, it saves all that space!
You can pick up bulk portions of foil pan containers like these to use. The more similar in size they are, the easier they are to stack.
6. Shoe Box Containers
Source: @thehousethatjessbuilt
Don’t be limited by what’s ‘supposed’ to be used for food storage. Sometimes, the best solution is hiding somewhere you wouldn’t expect it! Case in point: these shoe box containers are great for freezer storage.
They’re big bins with plenty of space, and they come with lids to make them stackable. The plastic is clear enough to see through, but opaque enough to help your fridge feel more organized.
Best of all, you can customize the labels on the outside as you like. That’s why I love this idea so much. Clean, clear, and crisp.
7. Meat Categories
Source: @homganize
If you’re anything like me, then you love enjoying a high-quality cut of meat with your meals. Sometimes that means hunting for deals when you’re out shopping! Buying meat in bulk can be tough when you have limited space.
But don’t worry, this simple idea will give you all the meat storage space you need. Try buying individual short containers to stack different cuts of meat.
Or, you can use reusable bags with bulldog clips like these on top for chest freezers. Make sure everything is labeled clearly!
8. Vertical Storage
Source: @themollybeffect
Struggling with a thin freezer that feels impossible to store things in? Don’t worry, I’ve got an idea for you. This vertical storage hack uses tall plastic bins to organize the space with ease.
For all those loose items that won’t fit in the bins, try including an open bin at the bottom of your freezer. This gives those things a space without letting them roam free and ruin your system.
I like this kind of bin for that purpose. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
9. Create Zones
Source: @soupercubes
As with all the other spots in your house, one of the best ways to organize your freezer is to create zones. I love to organize my freezer like this, because it makes finding what I need so simple (even with no labels).
For example, you can have broth on the top left, ice on the bottom right, and a shelf dedicated entirely to your leftovers. The secret is to keep your system the same no matter what, so you can always find what you need.
10. Reusable Silicone Bags
Source: @operationorganization
I don’t know about you, but I’m in love with reusable silicone bags. They’re versatile enough to store pretty much anything, so you don’t have to worry about buying new containers all the time!
They also help prevent freezer crystals on my meat and vegetables (I hate freezer crystals). You can use these bags on their own or include them as part of your existing system to make things even easier to hunt down.
11. Multi-Purpose Bins
Source: @findingyourfancee
Not excited about buying bins just to use in your freezer? Go multi-purpose instead! I totally understand wanting to invest in versatile tools and organization systems for your home.
Multi-purpose bins are the perfect way to try out an organization system in your freezer. If it doesn’t work for you, you can use them elsewhere in your home with ease.
Just a tip though, I find using bin clips like these help these bins work in freezers so much better.
12. Handle Baskets
Source: @simplyorganized
When was the list time you had to deal with freezing cold hands because you were sorting through all the bags in your freezer to find that one thing you needed? Well, no more. I hate that feeling too, so I found this idea!
These handle baskets are perfect for the bottom level of a small freezer. They’re easy to pull out and won’t get your hands cold. Plus, they look so clean and organized. Definitely a favorite.
13. Labeled Tubs
Source: @homganize
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. If you have a good label maker in your house, then you’ve already won the battle with your freezer’s organization!
You just need to grab some leftover ice cream tubs, pack them with your freezer’s contents, and get labelling. Make sure you pick up a high-quality label maker like this one to ensure they’ll stay on in the cold.
14. Seal
Source: @wandering_willows_
Short on space and need to keep your ingredients fresh? Nothing does it better than a vacuum seal. Sealing your vegetables and meats away ensures there’s no chance of them getting freezer burn.
I know this is a bit more of an investment, but it’s great if you want to prep your ingredients before cooking them. Especially if you buy groceries in bulk!
15. Stacked Bins
Source: @lscostless
I find that one of the biggest struggles of organizing a chest freezer is using all that vertical space. You need to be able to reach down into the depths to get the ingredients below, but that means no shelves!
Or, at least, it did. Now, you can use removable stacked bins like these to use all that extra space. They’re easy to pop out when you need to get past them. No unorganized mess anymore!
16. Ziplock Bags
Source: @apurposefulhome
If you don’t have the means, you don’t have to buy ultra-fancy containers to keep a well-organized fridge. You can create a system with something as simple as Ziplock bags.
It’s best if you can organize your ingredients in the bags using multi-purpose bins. However, things will work out just fine if you stack them like books.
I like to opt for high-quality bags like these to prevent them from ripping.
17. Dividers
Source: @shipshapebysydney
Need something simple that lets you store a variety of different packages and bags without buying a ton of containers? This idea uses acrylic dividers to make freezer organization as simple as possible.
I like to use these dividers to make the most of limited shelf space. You can make use of all that vertical air without stacking things on top of each other. Easy!
With all these ideas, you’ll have a perfectly-organized freezer in no time (no matter what type of freezer you’re working with). Happy organizing, and see you next time!