You’ve probably been in this situation before: You have multiple bags of produce and boxes of microwavable meals stacked on top of each other in your freezer. When you go to take one out, the mountain of groceries you’ve constructed suddenly crumbles, scattering frozen peas across the floor. Sure, it’s not the worst thing that…
Freezing groceries is a great way to save money and time, but keeping a freezer in good working order can be more challenging than you might think, especially once the products start piling up. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a second freezer or purchase fewer frozen goods just to keep your appliance functional. There’s a simple hack, using something from your desk, that can free up space instantly.
How To Fit More in Your Freezer
Unless you’re a frequent Costco shopper, a standard freezer provides sufficient storage. The only problem is that there’s no way to organize your items once they’re inside that big, icy chest. Using organizing bins for a bottom or chest freezer is a quick fix, but what if you have less space to work with? In that case, you can create shelving inside your freezer to neatly separate frozen goods, allowing for easy storage and quick retrieval.
When adding shelves to your freezer, keep it simple. Use plastic or metal magazine files — you know, the organizers that corral twin-pocket folders or editions of National Geographic — to create instant cubbies for your freezer essentials.
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A freezer with more vertical space can accommodate magazine files positioned upright. These are great for storing items such as individual frozen meals, puff pastry sheets, or ice cream bars. Consider purchasing clear plastic magazine files so you can see what’s inside of them without needing to search.
If you have a little less headroom to work with, just lay the magazine files on their sides to add shelving. This will keep bags of frozen veggies, vacuum-sealed meats, or leftover hamburger buns within easy reach.
If you don’t already have magazine files on hand, a mail organizer can also be used to transform your freezer from a messy rectangle into an efficiently organized appliance. We especially love using this hack for giving ice cube trays their own dedicated space when freezing, which can limit accidental water spills. Simply position the mail organizer vertically inside the freezer, ideally against a wall for stability, and stack your ice cube trays within it.
