Freezing Food in Glass Jars

Glass jars aren't just for jam making and leftover buttons

If anyone ever told you that freezing food in glass is dangerous, ask them how it's any more dangerous than plastic.  Food carefully frozen in glass is perfectly safe, although it just takes a little more care to handle.

Glass containers typically come in set sizes so measurements are simple.

The main things to consider when freezing food in glass:

• Liquid expands as it freezes so make sure any kind of frozen liquid has a gap of a couple of centimetres at the top. While this is the same for any container, this is the most common way glasses of frozen food break.
• It is safer to avoid putting super hot jars into the freezer to avoid breakages.
• Freeze products in the jar sizes you are typically going to use them. If you have made a batch of stock or passata for instance, think about how you use these ingredients and freeze different size jars accordingly.
• Soups are great in jars, especially if you are taking it to the office in winter for lunch. 
• Leftovers are also excellent in glass jars as you can easily see the contents.
• If you need to thaw in a hurry, microwave on defrost heat or place your container in hot water. Otherwise, simply move it from your freezer to your fridge.

If you do drop or break a glass container of frozen food, don't ever eat the contents. The same of course goes for plastic, especially if it has splintered. 

Markers do tend to rub off glass so either write on the lid or old label or keep a record elsewhere of what is in your freezer. 

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