Keeping on top of household tasks can prove tricky at times, especially if you’re balancing full-time work or raising children. While a quick hoover, mop or sweep might feature on many people’s to-do lists, there are other jobs you may have been delaying that could be essential to tackle now, reports the Mirror.
Most households own a freezer, and knowing how to care for them properly and efficiently can prove very important for their longevity among other factors. Food safety experts at High Speed Training have shared vital tips to keep your appliance running as smoothly as possible. Dr Richard Anderson, head of learning and development at High Speed Training, said: “Typically, you should aim to defrost your freezer at least once a year.
“However, you may need to do this more often if your freezer seems prone to frosting quickly, and the ice builds up frequently. There are a number of reasons why you should ensure the upkeep of your freezer, primarily from a money saving perspective.”
The experts explain that caring for your freezer correctly ensures your food’s quality stays preserved whilst avoiding food waste.
Through proper maintenance, your freezer runs more efficiently, “saving you electricity” costs in the long run. Food hygiene experts have issued guidance on how to properly defrost your freezer, warning that leaving food inside during the process can pose a health risk.
This is due to the potential for frozen food to thaw and reach the ‘danger zone’ of between 8C and 60C, as defined by the Food Standards Agency, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Food Standards Agency’s advice for safely chilling and freezing food includes keeping your fridge at a temperature between zero and 5C, while your freezer should be around -18C.
They also advise that chilled food should be kept out of the fridge for the shortest time possible during preparation (no more than four hours), and leftovers should be consumed within two days or frozen if this isn’t feasible.
The agency explains: “A freezer acts as a pause button – food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it. It’s OK to freeze most foods as long as you check packet instructions to ensure that foods are suitable for freezing.”