Protection from the Cold ... so your food won’t burn
Written: Aug 14 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: keeps food fresher, helps prevent freezer burn, write-on label, bag zippers closed
Cons: – none –
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line sealed the Summary in a Ziploc Freezer Bag and shoved the bag in the freezer. To read the Summary, thaw the bag before reading.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Ziploc Freezer Bags |
I own a stand-alone freezer and keep it stocked. Not only do I buy food in bulk and then parcel it out into smaller packages for freezing, but I also freeze produce from my garden. Ziploc Freezer Bags come in handy, particularly since the bags come in a variety of styles and sizes.
Description
Ziploc Freezer Bags are constructed of a heavier clear plastic than sandwich bags. The plastic is smooth, and printed in white on one side of the bag are the words “Ziploc” and an area for writing the Date and bag Contents. The seal on these bags is also stronger and thicker than normal storage bags to help prevent freezer burn. Basically, the bags are made from one sheet of plastic that is folded in half so that there is no bottom seam. The side seams are factory-sealed shut.
A Ziploc seal is located at the top of the bag about 3/4" from the top. The 3/4" margin above the seal is of heavy ribbed plastic so that the fingers can more easily grasp it to peel the two sections apart. Half of the Ziploc seal is blue and half is a pink-purple color. It is easy to seal the two halves of the bag together by aligning the colored strips and running the fingers along both sides of the bag to “lock” the halves together.
There is also another type of seal on these Ziploc Freezer Bags. You can purchase the bags with a Zipper Seal. As the name suggests, the seal works like a zipper. A plastic slider acts as a zipper, sealing the halves of the bag closed. Both types of seals work well. People who are challenged by a traditional Ziploc seal (or who have difficulty using their hands) will definitely find the Zipper Seal quicker and easier to fasten.
Ziploc Double Guard Freezer Bags are one of the newer innovations by Ziploc. These bags are constructed differently. Each side of the bag is made with two layers of plastic, an inner layer and an outer layer – hence the name Double Guard. The clear plastic is not as smooth as the regular Ziploc Freezer Bags. Instead, the outer layer of plastic is thick and smooth. The inner layer of plastic is thinner with a slight texture to it.
These bags are designed so that the outer layer protects food from freezer burn while the inner layer clings to the food. When the air is forced out of the bag, the inner layer clings to the food further protecting it. The bag’s seal works the same as the regular freezer bag, and there is an area on the bag to write the Date and Contents. Instructions are also printed on the bag that say: “Instructions: Press ALL air out, then zip closed.”
The back of the box also has an illustrated guide showing the five steps for closing and sealing the bag to protect the food in it. Removing all the air from the bag is one of the keys to successful freezing. Also make sure the inner plastic layer is as wrinkle-free as possible, and fill the bag as much as possible.
Both types of Ziploc bags are made from polyethylene plastic and are recyclable. Also, the cardboard boxes are constructed from 100% recycled paperboard.
The manufacturer states that Ziploc Freezer Bags and Ziploc Double Guard Bags are able to go in the microwave. I have never done this. I don’t like to defrost or cook my food in plastic bags.
The Right Size Bag
Ziploc bags come in a variety of sizes and package counts. Here is a sampling of the bags that I’ve purchased from my local grocery and department stores.
Ziploc Freezer Bags
One Pint – 20 bags ($3.39) – 7" x 5 1/4"
One Quart – 20 bags ($2.79) & 40 bags ($3.49) – 7" x 8"
One Gallon – 30 bags ($4.19) – 10 9/16" x 11"
Two Gallons – 10 bags ($5.99) – 13" x 15 5/8"
Ziploc Freezer Bags with Zipper Seal
One Quart – 15 bags ($2.59) – 7" x 8"
One Gallon – 15 bags ($2.59) – 10 9/16" x 11"
Yes, both bags were priced the same. This was a great deal on the larger bags!
Double Guard Freezer Bags
One Quart – 15 bags ($2.29) – 7" x 8"
One Gallon – 10 bags ($1.99) – 10 9/16" x 11"
My Experiences
I enjoy using the regular Ziploc Freezer and Double Guard bags. Both have proven reliable in the freezer. You are probably going to ask me which of the two types of freezer bags I prefer. It depends upon what I am freezing.
The Double Guard bags are best for freezing meat and do prevent freezer burn. (The Beef Industry is endorsing this product for Ziploc.) I’ve also noticed that the Double Guard bags keep food fresher. However, I use the regular Ziploc Freezer Bags for freezing my garden produce, such as green peppers, and the bags do a great job. Since the regular Ziploc Freezer Bags are less expensive than the Double Guard bags, I usually save the Double Guard bags for freezing meat.
Freezing Green and Red Peppers
I pick the peppers from the garden, wash and dry them. Then I cut out the stem and slice the peppers open, removing the seeds. I cut the peppers into small 1/4" pieces. With a Ziploc Freezer Bag laying flat on the table, I fill the bag with pepper pieces making sure to keep the bag flat. When I am finished, a narrow layer of peppers is resting inside the flat bag. I mark the bag with the date using a permanent marker. I place the bag in the freezer so that it is laying flat, with one bag resting atop another in a vertical stack.
The reason I freeze peppers this way is that they are easy to break free and use in stir fry cooking or adding to sauces, casseroles or omelettes. If the peppers are heaped in a bag, they freeze into a rock-like lump that is often difficult to break apart.
Freezing Onions
Sometimes my grocery store offers buy-one-get-one-free specials. So I often end up with two large sacks of onions, which I know will never get used before they go bad. So I peel the onions and chop them into 1/4" pieces. I lay the onions in a flat layer in a Ziploc Freezer Bag the same way as I do the green peppers, so that the onions are easy to separate. I add frozen onions to homemade soup, goulash, stir fry, eggs, casseroles, sauces and cooked meat dishes.
Freezing Pancakes
When cooking pancakes, I usually have leftovers. I freeze the pancakes in Ziploc Freezer Bags. I usually freeze three or four pancakes in a bag, staggering the pancakes so that the pancakes slightly overlap one another. By staggering the pancakes in the package, it is easy to remove and separate them. I place the pancakes on a plate, add maple syrup and microwave them.
Freezing Meat
Usually I purchase large packages of meat, which I repack and freeze in Ziploc Double Guard Freezer Bags. Chicken legs easy fit side-by-side in the quart-size bag. When freezing chicken or hamburger patties, I layer the patties, placing a sheet of plastic wrap between them. The plastic wrap makes it easier to separate the burgers.
Not Just for Food
Since these Ziploc bags are made of a heavier grade plastic, they are more durable than Ziploc Sandwich or Snack bags. This makes them a stronger bag for items that might see heavy use.
For example, I store markers and pens in the Ziploc Freezer Bags with Zipper Seal. That way the children can easily open and close the bags ... and these bags see a lot of use. The same thing goes for puzzle pieces or game pieces that need storing since the original box has been damaged. The bags are also great for storing toys that have edged angles such as small metal cars.
When quilting, sometimes a project requires that I sew multiple blocks in different sizes. These “units” are then later sewed together to form the quilt. Keeping the different size blocks grouped in their own bags is an easy way to keep my project organized.
Purchasing
I have purchased all of the different size and style Ziploc bags listed above at my local grocery and department stores. If your local shops do not stock these bags, you can find a selection of Ziploc Freezer Bags at drugstore.com. Prices vary greatly from store to store. I try to wait for a sale, and coupons are always nice!
Summary
Ziploc Freezer Bags have a wide variety of uses. I have been using them for years. No complaints here! These bags are constructed well and stay sealed. If you have difficultly with the traditional Ziploc seal, then try the Zipper Seal, which easily opens and closes the bag. My frozen foods stay protected and fresh. I can’t ask for more than that ... unless it’s for someone to cook the food!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Racine, WI 53403
Toll-free Phone: 800-494-4855 (USA)
Toll-free Phone: 877-506-7352 (Canada)
Please read my other reviews:
Sharpie Twin-Tip Permanent Marker
Ginsu Knife Set with Wooden Block
Farberware 12" x 18" Cutting Board with Microban
Pyrex Round Storage Bowls
Rubbermaid Stain Shield Round 1.1 Quart Storage Container
Oxo Good Grips Magnetic Clips
Silicone Potholder / Trivets
Braun Coffee Grinder (and flax seed)
Cooking.com (online store)
Maytag Dishwasher
GE Refrigerator with Top Freezer
Maytag Gemini Double Oven Range
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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