February 13th, 2008 - Defrosting the freezer
Two weekends ago, we finally defrosted the freezer (a fairly large chest freezer). I think it’s been two years since I did it last. I’d swear we bought a frost-free freezer, but it sure isn’t the case. In fact, in just 10 days, it’s starting to ice up again on the inside front!
It’s always a good exercise to clear out the freezer. I got rid of really old stuff, like bread saved for breadcrumbs, which we use about once a year. So why bother saving three old breads plus a bag of crumbs? The birds or the garden enjoyed them instead (it snowed the day I put them out so they get covered up). I also wrote down everything I took out so that I’d have a list of what’s left. It feels like we’re not eating much from the freezer, but I don’t have much written down, there’s not much left in the freezer, and yesterday I noticed just how many plastic freezer boxes are stacked up on the baker’s rack! We really have eaten a lot that I put up over the summer and fall.
I like to do this in winter, because I can put all the food out in the cold and not worry about it. This year, we had the good idea of putting it on the front porch. In the past, I hauled it out to the car. Besides having to go outside, it also meant we couldn’t use the car until I got it all back inside. On the porch, we left it for a couple days until I had time to finish up the job. It was, of course, freezing outside the entire time. Many winters I couldn’t have done this except over one night.
Everything’s put back nice and neat. Also gave the opportunity to wash out the freezer after spills of yeast and flour during the past year. I know what’s in there and where to find it since it’s so organized! And I was encouraged to get out the chicken I bought at the market last August and some ham for ham salad. Next up is using up the various soup stocks I have–including one that I think is beef plus a couple of chicken ones.