I just did something that I always do but then had an "AHA" moment where I thought I should share a tip. I buy hamburger in bulk and divide it into 1# stacks, then stuff into 1 quart freezer ziplock bags. As you flatten it, all the air is pushed out the top of the bag and they take up a lot less space in your freezer because they lay flat on top of each other. Also, defrost very quickly !! I love "Tips and Tricks". I'm sure there are a lot more ideas about how to live in small spaces. What's yours? Brenda
Jim01 said
05:17 AM May 26, 2008
Brenda,
Great idea!
Linda does something similar. When we buy hamburger, she makes patties out of most of it, and then makes a few different sized "chunks" to be used in spaghetti, chili, tacos, or whatever. All of this is put into individual plastic bags and frozen, to be taken out of the freezer when needed. She does the same thing with steaks too. They are repackaged individually before freezing.
When we want to cook some burgers on the grill, I just grab a couple out of the freezer and throw them on the grill still frozen. We thaw out the steaks before grilling them.
Because of the small size of RV refrigerators, we repackage many things we buy. It saves a lot of space.
Jim
greenlady said
07:41 AM Jul 7, 2008
I do the same thing with chicken breasts, buy a large package and stick a couple into each quart bag, and I try to keep my shelves in the freezer with just one item. meat, veggies, fruit etc. I know some don't have that option but it's handy when you can just open the door and grab and close the door quickly!
Linda
Speedhitch said
11:20 AM Jul 7, 2008
We take the cereal out of the big boxes and just keep them in the bag they are packaged in. This frees up a lot of space in the pantry and you can see how much cereal you have left at a glance. Space is what it is all about.
Sherri and Joe
sirwinston21 said
11:38 AM Jul 7, 2008
We cheated. We took 1 of the rockers out and put in a 5cf chest freezer. The fridge freezer was just too small.
Roadchef said
11:46 AM Jul 7, 2008
Space saving is indeed important, especially in my rig, a Roadtrek 21' van. I love to cook with spices so I make up my own spice blends to take on the road. I have italian, mexican and chinese. I keep in in small bags and this takes up much less room than many different bottles of spices. I know you can buy blends too, but I prefer to use my own. If you like tips you can check out my website at www.roadchefcuisine.com. Please feel free to leave tips and recipes, it's made for people who travel in an rv with a small kitchen.
Cathy
phyllen said
12:06 PM Jul 7, 2008
Do any of you have a separate ice maker? We are considering getting one.
hogans1947 said
01:06 PM Jul 7, 2008
I don't even use the ice maker that is in my freezer. (Wish I could take it out and have the space, but need to leave it for resale.) I love store bought ice. My big splurge !!!
Postalpair said
08:06 PM Jul 12, 2008
We have a seperate ice maker. We love to have ice in our drinks and when we entertain. We bought ours from a website.....compact appliances??? Not sure, but they were running a special. We got ours last year for $79 with no shipping and handling.....they also have refurbished items. We have ours right on top of our cube freezer!!! Another "buy" from that website. Again we caught it on a closeout. We love it. It stays cold when we travel.....never have had any problems with it when we travel. Love all of the handy little secrets that we all do to save space in the freezer. I put 1-2 chicken breasts in a ziplock myself....do the same with italian sausages, and bratwursts.
breezy said
08:55 PM Nov 29, 2008
Great ideas everybody...my brother n law taught me this trick...before freezing steaks ,season them and put them in freezer bag and then pour your marinade mixture over them and seal tight and freeze. When you are ready for steak just set out to thaw and they marinade while thawing! YUmmmm!
Jack Mayer said
10:17 AM Nov 30, 2008
We do many of the meat things mentioned here.
In addition, we have one of those cheap (about $8) vacuum bag devices that make a BIG difference in how long things last frozen - as well as the quality. Available at any grocery in the foil department.
We also use the Debbie Meyer Green bags for refrigerator storage. I thought they were just another "gadget" to waste money on until a friend gave us a few to try. They work as advertised and make a BIG difference in how long things last.
TXRVr said
10:53 AM Feb 19, 2009
Wouldn’t it be nice to buy food products for just two people without resorting to tv dinners?
We have a portable dual power freezer in on outside storage compartment. Of all the optional equipment, it’s the one we get the most bang for the buck. Having a place to put things we’ve bought on sale has easily paid for it.
We don’t use a lot of sliced bread so we freeze most of it for later use. To save space, we spread each half of the loaf into two gallon sized freezer bags. With wheat bread, you absolutely won’t be able to tell it was frozen.
If you don’t already do it, then another suggestion is to learn to cut up a chicken – at least in half. Not only does it save freezer space, it’s cheaper if you cut up your own.
Carry over the hamburger patty idea to sausage. That works too.
I wasn’t impressed that my fridge had an ice maker until we boon docked a few times and my wife put me in charge of the ice trays.
Speedhitch said
12:59 PM Feb 19, 2009
Here is one other idea that I just came up with. Buy a pound of hamburger meat and make patties out of it. Put them on the grill and cook them and then call me and I will store them away for you...What do you think about that??
Speedy
gypsy97 said
06:55 PM Feb 19, 2009
Speedhitch wrote:
Here is one other idea that I just came up with. Buy a pound of hamburger meat and make patties out of it. Put them on the grill and cook them and then call me and I will store them away for you...What do you think about that??
Speedy
Speedy, you are a real gentleman! How is that for being a helpful and friendly RVing pal! Can you do the same for chicken, steaks, shrimp, etc? I have such a small freezer and could really use the help.
gypsy
RVDude said
07:42 PM Feb 19, 2009
Speed Gypsy: Nuttin but ROFLMAO! You guys are hilariously riotous!
Cindy T said
03:02 PM Feb 20, 2009
Jack, I appreciated your comment on the mini-vacuum gadget that can be found at the grocery store. I'd seen that before, but figured it was just something "gimmicky". But now I think I'll get one & give it a try. Especially since I just pulled a roast from the freezer today & found that it's freezer burned!
Also I've previously looked for the Debbie Meyer bags but haven't found them at Walmart or the grocery store. Are those bags only available by ordering thru TV?
hogans1947 said
04:39 PM Feb 20, 2009
I have seen the Debbie Meyer green bags at Walmart but also at Bed Bath and Beyond. They can be washed out and re-used so they last forever. Just finishing up some fresh strawberries that I bought almost 2 weeks ago, kept them in the frig in a green bag and they are still good. Do not wash until you are ready to use them. Don't know anything about the mini vacuum thing. I just put food in freezer bags and get as much air out as possible then with opening just large enough for a straw suck the rest of the air out, remove straw and close. Economical and a straw is much easier to store.
Judy said
05:44 PM Feb 21, 2009
Try Walgreens they usually have them. Not all Walmarts carry them. southwestjudy
I love "Tips and Tricks". I'm sure there are a lot more ideas about how to live in small spaces. What's yours?
Brenda
Great idea!
Linda does something similar. When we buy hamburger, she makes patties out of most of it, and then makes a few different sized "chunks" to be used in spaghetti, chili, tacos, or whatever. All of this is put into individual plastic bags and frozen, to be taken out of the freezer when needed. She does the same thing with steaks too. They are repackaged individually before freezing.
When we want to cook some burgers on the grill, I just grab a couple out of the freezer and throw them on the grill still frozen. We thaw out the steaks before grilling them.
Because of the small size of RV refrigerators, we repackage many things we buy. It saves a lot of space.
Jim
I do the same thing with chicken breasts, buy a large package and stick a couple into each quart bag, and I try to keep my shelves in the freezer with just one item. meat, veggies, fruit etc. I know some don't have that option but it's handy when you can just open the door and grab and close the door quickly!
Linda
Love all of the handy little secrets that we all do to save space in the freezer. I put 1-2 chicken breasts in a ziplock myself....do the same with italian sausages, and bratwursts.
In addition, we have one of those cheap (about $8) vacuum bag devices that make a BIG difference in how long things last frozen - as well as the quality. Available at any grocery in the foil department.
We also use the Debbie Meyer Green bags for refrigerator storage. I thought they were just another "gadget" to waste money on until a friend gave us a few to try. They work as advertised and make a BIG difference in how long things last.
Wouldn’t it be nice to buy food products for just two people without resorting to tv dinners?
We have a portable dual power freezer in on outside storage compartment. Of all the optional equipment, it’s the one we get the most bang for the buck. Having a place to put things we’ve bought on sale has easily paid for it.
We don’t use a lot of sliced bread so we freeze most of it for later use. To save space, we spread each half of the loaf into two gallon sized freezer bags. With wheat bread, you absolutely won’t be able to tell it was frozen.
If you don’t already do it, then another suggestion is to learn to cut up a chicken – at least in half. Not only does it save freezer space, it’s cheaper if you cut up your own.
Carry over the hamburger patty idea to sausage. That works too.
I wasn’t impressed that my fridge had an ice maker until we boon docked a few times and my wife put me in charge of the ice trays.
gypsy
You guys are hilariously riotous!
Jack, I appreciated your comment on the mini-vacuum gadget that can be found at the grocery store. I'd seen that before, but figured it was just something "gimmicky". But now I think I'll get one & give it a try. Especially since I just pulled a roast from the freezer today & found that it's freezer burned!
Also I've previously looked for the Debbie Meyer bags but haven't found them at Walmart or the grocery store. Are those bags only available by ordering thru TV?
Try Walgreens they usually have them. Not all Walmarts carry them.
southwestjudy
-- Edited by Judy at 17:46, 2009-02-21