The Best Way to Organize Your Chest Freezer On the Cheap

Inside: A chest freezer can easily turn into a black hole of cold food. Here’s a simple 4-step process for organizing a chest freezer cheaply!

How to organize a chest freezer: Freezer Basket

If I go missing, I may have fallen into the chest freezer.

That’s how it used to feel every time I dug though the contents to find the elusive package of bacon at the very bottom. Then a couple years ago I got tired of digging and got serious about getting organized.

Chest freezers, though handy for penny-pinching food-hoarding folks like myself, are notoriously tricky to organize.

A chest freezer is essentially a deep hole. Some may be sold with a hanging basket for the top, but otherwise you’re on your own.

Good news: Organizing a chest freezer can be done–and it’s not hard or expensive. If you need some chest freezer organization ideas, I have an easy 4-step process for you!

How to organize a chest freezer

Step 1: Create categories that make sense to you

Group your frozen food in categories, such as ground meats, frozen veggies, prepped freezer meals, or jars of homemade soup or broth. (You might also like: How To Buy Meat In Bulk)

bulk meat in freezer bin

Step 2: Place grouped items into storage bins that fit your freezer.

Your freezer may come with one basket or bin, but you’ll need more.

In search of some chest freezer organizer solutions, I rounded up bins we already had (and even a study cardboard box) from around the house. Your storage system just needs to work for you–it doesn’t have to look matchy-matchy or ripped from the pages of the Container Store catalog.

Step 3: Arrange the bins in layers. 

The layer system is a game-changer if you have a chest freezer! Here’s how it works:

  • Set one or two bins/boxes on the bottom of the freezer
  • Set another layer of 1-2 bins on top of those
  • Set another layer on top.
  • When you need something, you can simply remove bins neatly and easily instead of digging through a cold, messy pile.

I arrange my bins in opposing directions, but do what works for your space.  Pro tip: Put the most-grabbed items on top and the less-frequently-grabbed items on the bottom.

Here’s the bottom layer of our freezer (pork, steaks, plus a couple jars of broth and flaxseed):

How to organize a chest freezer: Image of chest freezer layer

Here’s the second layer (ground beef plus small steaks and a container of homemade stock):

How to organize a chest freezer: Image of chest freezer layer

Here’s the top layer (the hanging basket our freezer came with, with frozen fruits and vegetables and a few packages of bacon):

How to organize a chest freezer: Image of chest freezer layer

Step 4: Keep an inventory.

Chest freezers can easily fall victim to Black Hole Syndrome. So find a way to keep track of your stash, whether that’s a white board attached to the wall by the freezer, an app on your phone, or my free Freezer Inventory Printable.

BONUS: Get the free printable and finally feel organized. Tap here for your Freezer Inventory Printable

Free Freezer Inventory Printable

Chest freezer storage ideas

These products would make great chest freezer organizer solutions. Just be sure you measure your freezer and check dimensions of products so you’re sure they’ll fit!

Wait, should I get a chest freezer?

  • Do you like to prep meals in advance?
  • Do you stock up when there’s a sale, buy meat in bulk, or freeze lots of fresh-picked produce or homemade stock?
  • Do you have a vacant spot in your basement or garage?

If so, a chest freezer could make your life easier–and help you save money.

Chest freezers are available in small/compact (5-9 cubic feet), medium (12-18), and large (18-plus), according to Consumer Reports.

Ours is small (5 cubic feet) but still works for our family of four. We bought it at Lowe’s for about $150 ten years ago and it’s still chugging along (it’s similar to this one). Keep in mind that a full freezer is more energy-efficient than a half-empty one.

How long does food last in the freezer?

When frozen, food can actually keep indefinitely. But the quality will be best if eaten within a certain timeframe. Here are some guidelines from FoodSafety.gov and the National Center for Home Preservation:

FOODFREEZER STORAGE TIME (0 degrees or below)
Ground meat2-3 months
Steaks6-12 months
Chops4-6 months
Roasts4-12 months
Whole chicken1 years
Chicken pieces9 months
Fish3-6 months
Soups & stews2-3 months
Fruits & Vegetables8-12 months

How to defrost a chest freezer

If your chest freezer is manual defrost (and many are), you’ll have to DIY it. But it’s simple: When you see frost build-up along the sides, it’s time to defrost your chest freezer. I typically defrost mine about once a year, and it takes less than an hour. Here’s how:

  • Empty the freezer, putting everything into your refrigerator’s freezer or into coolers
  • Unplug the freezer and open the lid
  • Allow the frost to melt or gently chip away at it with a plastic or wooden spoon (or my favorite kitchen tool The L’il Chizler)
  • Wipe away any drips and debris
  • Put everything back in!

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