Freezing Fresh Food, Frozen Food Storage

The Freezer Compartment

The symbol means that your freezer will store frozen food at -18°C (-0.4°F) or colder allowing for long term frozen food storage and freezing of fresh food. The freezer temperature is controlled automatically by the thermostat situated in the control panel.

Due to the different installations, methods of usage and weather conditions, adjustments to the temperature settings may be required.

These are best assessed against a temperature reading on a thermometer buried in the frozen food. The reading must be taken quickly as the thermometer temperature will rise rapidly after removal.

Freezing Fresh Food

The maximum quantity of food you can freeze in 24 hours is 8kg. Place the fresh food on the top freezer shelf. Food may need rearranging to achieve this.

During the freezing process the temperature of fresh food should be reduced quickly so that ice crystals are kept as small as possible to prevent damaging the structure of food. If freezing takes place slowly large ice crystals form and these will affect the quality of food once it has defrosted.

Switch the fast freeze switch to 'I' (ON) 24 hours before loading the food. 24 hours after loading the food return the switch to '0' (OFF). Existing frozen foods should be re-arranged to leave space on the top two shelves for freezing. The packets to be frozen should be placed on the shelf in contact with the shelf surface as far as possible and spaced apart to allow cold air to circulate between them. They should not touch existing packets.

If there is room, transfer the food you have frozen to the baskets or drawer to allow you to freeze a further load on the top shelf. No harm will result if you forget to turn off the fast freeze switch after 24 hours, but for reasons of economy, try to remember to turn it off when freezing is complete. The amber light should remind you of this.

Exceptionally large items can be stored by removing the upper basket.

Frozen food should not be refrozen once it has thawed out.

Do not remove items from the freezer if your hands are damp/wet, as this could cause skin abrasions or 'frost/freezer burns'.

For safety reasons, the freezer baskets are fitted with stops but are readily removed by pulling them forward to the stop, then lifting the front and pulling all the way out. Re-fit by reversing this procedure.

Frozen Food Storage

The appliance has the following net storage volume:

82 litres (2.89 cuft)

26.2kg (57.8 lb)†

†This is a standard measurement and the actual capacity depends upon the density and sizes of the food. The above figures are based on an average density of 0.32kg per litre (20 lb per cuft).

Pre packed commercially frozen food should be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for a 4 star frozen food compartment and should be put in the freezer as soon as possible after purchase. Your freezer provides for long term storage which generally means up to 3 months but the length of the time can vary and it is important to follow the recommended times shown on packets of commercially frozen food.

Do not place sealed containers or carbonated liquids such as fizzy drinks into the freezer as it creates pressure on the container which may cause it to explode resulting to damage to the freezer.

Ice cubes and ice lollies should not be consumed immediately after removal from the freezer as it may result in low temperature skin abrasions.

Manufacturers storage times should be adhered to.

Hints and Tips

Any opened packets of frozen food, should be rewrapped in airtight materials to prevent surface evaporation which causes drying or 'freezer burn'.

Frozen food which is allowed to thaw accidentally should either be used immediately or thrown away. Alternatively if the food is uncooked and has not been completely defrosted it can be cooked and then refrozen.

Aim to check dates on packets and rotate food regularly. Although storage longer than recommended is not harmful, flavours and textures begin to change.