Ethan Clarke
Labelling containers for the freezer is an important step to avoid confusion, keep track of how old something is, and ensure food is cooked or reheated properly. There are many ways to label plastic containers for the freezer, including using masking tape, painter's tape, freezer tape, or writing directly on the container with a Sharpie or permanent marker. Some containers also allow you to write on the lids with a non-toxic wet or dry erase marker, which can be easily erased later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Containers | Plastic containers, Ziplock bags, Mason jars, Deli containers, Vacuum seal bags, Freezer bags |
| Writing tools | Permanent marker, Water-soluble pen, Chinagraph pencil, Sharpie, Non-toxic permanent or wet-erase marker |
| Adhesives | Masking tape, Painter's tape, Blue tape, Frog tape, Plumber's tape, Adhesive tape, Paper, Freezer tape, Freezer-safe sticky labels, Erasable labels, Post-it tape, Brown paper |
| Additional tools | Isopropyl alcohol, Rubbing alcohol, Vodka, Dish soap |
| Contents of labels | Name of the item, Date, Reheating instructions |
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What You'll Learn
Using masking tape and a Sharpie
Labelling food containers for the freezer is a great way to ensure you don't end up disappointed, reaching for what you think is chocolate gelato, only to find it's actually gravy! Using masking tape and a Sharpie is a simple and cheap way to label your containers.
Firstly, it's best to label clean, dry, empty containers before filling them. This will ensure the tape lasts longer and will prevent condensation from preventing the tape from sticking. If you're using a plastic container, make sure the food is chilled before adding the label to avoid this issue.
Next, cut the tape to the desired length with scissors and write on the name of the food, the date it was cooked, and any other helpful information, such as reheating instructions. You can also colour-code your labels by purchasing masking tape in an assortment of colours.
Finally, stick the tape to the lid of the container. This will save you from having to dig around in the freezer to find the label.
Masking tape is a good option for labelling containers as it is cheap, holds well, and comes off easily without leaving residue. It can also be torn off at any length, and you can write on it with just about anything, including Sharpies.
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Erasable labels
Labelling containers for the freezer can be tricky, especially if you want to reuse them or change the contents. One solution is to use erasable labels, which can be stuck onto containers and rewritten multiple times. MESS Erasable Labels, for example, are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe, and can be erased with a regular rubber eraser. They can be purchased in packs of 96.
Another option is to use dry-erase markers, which can be written directly onto containers and easily wiped off when no longer needed. These markers can also be used on a whiteboard or chalkboard, which can be kept near the freezer with a list of its contents. However, be aware that writing on flexible plastic containers with dry-erase markers may be more difficult to scrub off than on rigid glass containers.
If you want to avoid using single-use labels, you can also use a system of numbered labels with a separate record of what each number corresponds to. For example, a square glass container with the label "sq 1" could correspond to "chilli" on a separate document, which can be easily erased when the contents are consumed.
Other types of erasable labels include dissolvable food labels, which can be washed off in the dishwasher, and dry-erase tape, which can be stuck onto containers and written on with dry-erase markers.
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Freezer-safe sticky labels
Labelling food containers for the freezer is a great way to avoid confusion and keep track of when you made your meals. Freezer-safe sticky labels are a convenient option for this purpose. Here are some tips for using freezer-safe sticky labels effectively:
Choosing the Right Labels
Look for labels specifically designed for freezer use. These labels are made to withstand cold temperatures and will stay stuck, legible, and professional-looking. You can find freezer labels in various shapes and sizes to fit your containers. Some companies even offer custom freezer labels, allowing you to create name labels, date labels, or labels with cooking instructions.
Applying the Labels
Before applying freezer-safe sticky labels, ensure that the containers are clean, dry, and empty. This will help ensure that the labels adhere properly and last longer. If your containers are already chilled, you may need to let them warm up slightly before applying the labels.
Writing on the Labels
Use a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie, to write on the freezer labels. This will prevent the ink from smudging or rubbing off easily. You can include information such as the date, contents, and reheating instructions.
Removing the Labels
Other Considerations
While freezer-safe sticky labels are convenient, they may be more expensive than other options and may require extra effort to remove. Some alternative labelling methods include using masking tape and a permanent marker or writing directly on the container with a marker designed for CDs. These methods are simple, inexpensive, and allow for easy label removal.
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Writing directly on containers with a permanent marker
Labelling containers that are going into the freezer is important to avoid confusion, remind you how old something is, and help someone else reheat or cook the food properly.
When writing directly on containers with a permanent marker, it is important to consider the type of marker and the surface being written on. Some markers may become permanent or leave prominent shadows on certain surfaces, especially after being heated. For example, Teranishi Magic Ink Name Markers leave almost no trace on most kitchen surfaces but leave a faint shadow on stainless steel.
Sharpies, or permanent markers meant for writing on CDs, are commonly used for writing directly on containers. They are suitable for a variety of surfaces, including plastic, glass, aluminium foil, and zip-top bags. However, they may require some "elbow grease" or dish soap to remove, especially from plastic containers. To remove Sharpie from containers, isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol can be used, although some may be uncomfortable using these substances.
When using permanent markers, it is important to consider condensation, as it can cause the ink to rub off on smoother surfaces. Water-resistant or condensation-resistant pens and markers are better suited for freezer items, but excessive water-resistance can make it difficult to wash containers and re-label them.
Some containers, such as Snapware, have lids that can be written on with a soft-tip non-toxic permanent or wet erase marker and later erased with a soft cloth, paper towel, or isopropyl alcohol.
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Wrapping freezer bags with brown paper
Labelling containers for the freezer can be a tricky task, especially if you want to avoid ruining your containers with tape or permanent marker. A simple and inexpensive solution is to use strips of paper and adhesive tape. Cut the cheapest paper you can find (printer paper works well) into strips or rectangles, write the necessary information on the paper, stick a piece of adhesive tape on top, and attach it to your container. This method ensures that your containers remain unmarked and that the labels can be easily removed.
Another option is to use masking tape, which is cheap and does not ruin containers. You can write on the tape with a permanent marker or a water-soluble pen. The tape can be torn off at any length and will hold well yet come off easily. Painter's tape is another option that works well with a Sharpie. Ensure that the tape goes on dry and that the container is not already cold, as condensation will prevent the tape from sticking.
If you are using freezer bags, it is best to label them before filling them. Some bags, like Ziploc bags, have a label space that you can write on with a Sharpie. You can also write directly on the bags with a "permanent" marker meant for writing on CDs. When it's time to clean the writing off the container, you can use isopropyl alcohol or dish soap and elbow grease.
For those looking for a more innovative solution, there are erasable labels that are permanently stuck on but can be easily removed. These labels can be written on and then erased with the included eraser, and they survive the dishwasher.
Finally, if you are looking to wrap freezer bags with brown paper, you can use a natural brown freezer paper, which is ideal for wrapping meat that will be stored in the freezer.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use masking tape and a Sharpie to write the date and contents on the container. You can also cut inexpensive paper, like printer paper, into strips and use adhesive tape to attach it to the container.
You can use blue painter's tape, which works well on rigid containers like plastic containers. You can also use Post-it tape, which is versatile and can be used for many purposes.
You can wrap the container with brown paper and tape the ends to secure the paper. You can then label the paper with a marker. Alternatively, you can use a marker that writes on CDs and write directly on the container.
It is important to include the contents of the container, the date it was frozen, and any reheating instructions. For example, a label could read "Beef Gravy, January 15, reheat in a pot on the stove."
