How To Create a Freezer You Can Count On
- Stacie Edwards
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 12
If you're serious about feeding your family well, then it's time to stop treating your freezer like a junk drawer.
That freezer should be working for you not against you.
Whether you're stocking up on pasture-raised meats, freezing garden produce, or just trying to avoid that 6pm panic, here’s how to build a freezer setup that actually does its job.
1. Invest in the Right Freezer
This isn’t the place to cut corners.
Chest Freezers are more energy efficient, hold temps longer in an outage, and are ideal for bulk meat storage if organized efficiently. Check out my chest freezer organization post here.
Upright Freezers make organization easier, but they come at a higher price and unfortunately lose cold faster if the power goes out. And because they're easier to organize, I prefer uprights. Check out my upright freezer organization hacks here.
If you’re buying meat in bulk or storing serious food volume, go big. This is not one of those things you skimp on.
2. Label. Everything.
This isn’t optional.
Our meat already comes with a label, but anything else you put in there needs a label.
Sharpie and masking tape. Every single time.
What it is
When you froze it
Be specific. "Cooked Ground Beef – July 2025" is helpful. "????" is a waste of your money.
3. Use an Inventory System
You cannot manage what you can’t see.
Keep a master list on the door, in a binder, or a note on your phone.
Track what goes in, what comes out, and plan meals accordingly. This one simple habit saves time, money, and guesswork.
4. Organize by Zones
Freezers aren’t black holes if you give everything a place.
Use bins or reusable bags to group similar items.
Create zones for poultry, pork, beef, broth, meals, etc.
FIFO Rule: First In, First Out. Older products go in front. New stuff goes to the back.
No more digging for a pack of sausage buried under 40 pounds of ice crystals.
5. Stock for Convenience
Life is busy. Set yourself up to win.
Have a section just for:
Quick-thaw cuts (like ground meat or sausage)
Pre-cooked meals
Soup starters or broth
These save you when the day gets away from you.
6. Keep It Full
A full freezer maintains temp better and runs more efficiently. Keep your items away from the cooling apparatus.
Don’t have enough meat or produce? Fill the space with water jugs or ice packs until you do.
It’s not just about space, it’s about performance.
7. Prepare for Power Loss
If you’ve never lost power with a full freezer, count yourself lucky. But don’t count on luck. We've all seen tornadoes and hurricanes in the mountains...
Use a freezer alarm and thermometer
Keep a generator or backup power plan
Most importantly: keep the lid shut during outages. A full chest freezer can hold temp for up to 48 hours if you leave it alone.
Bottom Line:
If you value nutrient-dense food, bought from a farmer you trust, then treat it with the respect it deserves.
A well-managed freezer isn’t just a box in your garage, it’s food security. It’s convenience.
It’s a tool that helps you feed your people well, every single day.
Ready to fill that freezer with pasture-raised meat you can trust?
Our farm raises chicken, pork, and beef the way it should be... Naturally, locally, and without compromise.
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