Freezer bags can be great for storing frozen food, but they’re not the most eco-friendly option since they’re primarily made of plastic. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from if you freeze food often but are looking for alternatives to standard freezer bags.
Here are the 4 best freezer bag alternatives:
- Stainless steel containers
- Glass containers
- Beeswax wraps
- Silicone freezer bags
Stainless steel containers have been growing in popularity recently due to their eco-friendliness. But they’re also becoming more prominent because of their sturdiness and durability. You can continue to reuse stainless steel containers for long periods, unlike plastic freezer bags, and they’re easy to clean.
Glass containers are another excellent alternative to freezer bags because they are reusable, like stainless steel containers. All freezer-safe glass containers come with an airtight lid, so your food is sure to stay safe in one. Plastic containers tend to stain easily, but glass containers are much easier to clean and are not prone to stains.
Beeswax wraps are biodegradable, so they are attractive to many people nowadays. Since plastic isn’t biodegradable, beeswax wraps are another excellent alternative. Not only are they biodegradable, but they are also reusable. Once you can’t reuse them anymore, you can dispose of them and not worry about them affecting the environment.
Silicone freezer bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic freezer bags. They are also more durable and long-lasting, which is another significant aspect. Most silicone freezer bags are reusable and super easy to wash and keep clean, making them an attractive alternative to regular freezer bags.
The rest of this article will tell you everything you need to know about these four freezer bag alternatives, so you can effectively store frozen food without worrying about harming the environment with plastic bags.
Tips for Choosing The Best Freezer Bag Alternatives
The best freezer bag alternatives are durable, reusable, eco-friendly, easy to use, and safe for food. Since plastic is one of the least eco-friendly materials you can use as a freezer bag, it’s easy to find more suitable alternatives.
Here are some tips for choosing the best freezer bag alternatives:
- Make sure it’s airtight.
- It should be easy to use and handle.
- An alternative must withstand freezing temperatures.
- Make sure it’s good for the food
- Make sure it’s reusable and long-lasting
These tips are essential things to consider when choosing a freezer bag alternative, so let’s discuss them in greater detail below.
1. Make Sure It’s Airtight
Some liquid can escape if food isn’t kept in an airtight container when in the freezer. This subsequently makes the food dry and can cause freezer burn. So, ensuring your freezer bag is airtight is essential if you want your food to remain at the highest quality possible.
2. It Should Be Easy to Use and Handle
Using a freezer bag shouldn’t be a challenging task. You should place your food in the container quickly and easily. If you can’t do this, it’s not a worthy alternative. Choosing a container that zips and unzips easily or has a lid that comes off easily is highly important.
3. An Alternative Must Withstand Freezing Temperatures
Withstanding freezing temperatures is the most crucial factor to consider.
Most glass, silicone, and beeswax containers and wraps are entirely freezer-safe, so you don’t have to worry about any of the recommendations in this article. Always check the label before purchasing to make sure the container is freezer-safe.
4. Make Sure It’s Good for the Food
A freezer container shouldn’t be harmful to food. Some containers may contain chemicals like phthalates that aren’t safe, so you should choose entirely safe ones. These are commonly found in plastic containers, so it’s best to avoid plastic where possible.
5. Make Sure It’s Reusable and Long-Lasting
It’s best to choose freezer bag alternatives that are reusable, durable, and long-lasting. This way, you won’t have to waste anything unnecessarily. It also means you’ll save some money, even if it’s a minuscule amount.
4 Best Freezer Bag Alternatives
The best freezer bag alternatives are durable, reusable, eco-friendly, easy to use, and safe for food. Since plastic is one of the least eco-friendly materials you can use as a freezer bag, it’s easy to find more suitable alternatives.
You need a freezer bag alternative because they are generally more reusable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and budget-friendly. Traditional plastic bags don’t biodegrade. Many plastics also have toxic substances that get released through the years, which is why plastic is so detrimental to both your body and the earth.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at the four best freezer bag alternatives.
1. Stainless Steel Containers
Here are the main reasons why stainless steel is an excellent alternative to freezer bags:
- Stainless steel is much more durable than freezer bags.
- Stainless steel is easier to clean.
- Freezer bags are generally not reusable; you can use stainless steel containers for years!
- You’ll save money in the long run because you won’t have to keep buying new freezer bags.
Stainless steel containers are highly resistant to corrosion, meaning they won’t rust. This is one of the many reasons they’re great to use as long-term freezer containers. It’s easy to clean and wipe away dirt from stainless steel containers, so you don’t have to worry about spending long periods trying to remove every piece of food.
Not only are they eco-friendly and easy to clean, but they’re also suitable for dishwashers. Steel containers for the freezer will also come with airtight lids, which is vital for freezing food.
An example of a practical stainless steel freezer container is this Namyoung Stainless Steel container from Amazon.com. Although the price may seem steep at first, this container is of high quality and will last for years if taken care of properly.
When you compare stainless steel containers with plastic freezer bags, it’s easy to see which one is the better choice.
2. Glass Containers
Glass lasts longer than plastic, so it’s a no-brainer to at least consider swapping your freezer bags out for glass containers. If you are gentle and take proper care of your glass containers, they can last for years.
Here are the main reasons why glass containers are better than freezer bags:
- They last longer than freezer bags.
- Better value for money.
- Easier to freeze liquids; freezer bags can get messy when defrosting and freezing liquids.
- Easy to clean and oven-safe.
Glass containers are also non-porous, meaning they won’t latch onto smells and stains. If your glass container begins to smell like the food that’s in it, all you need to do is wash it with soap and hot water. On the other hand, plastic is more prone to latching onto smells.
Most glass containers are also safe for microwave and oven use, so you don’t even have to remove the food from the container when cooking or defrosting. Freezing liquids is easier when using glass containers compared with freezer bags because freezer bags are awkward to use in that instance.
If you’re on the market for a freezer-safe glass container, I recommend these Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Containers (available on Amazon.com) because they come with airtight lids, so all the containers are entirely leak-proof. They’re also pretty affordable, so your wallet will definitely thank you.
3. Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are a classic favorite when it comes to freezer bag alternatives. Here’s why:
- They are biodegradable and plastic-free, unlike freezer bags.
- They contain no harmful chemicals.
- You can reuse them for up to a year.
Beeswax wraps last up to a year with proper care, so they’re certainly an excellent alternative to freezer bags. Unlike regular plastic freezer bags, beeswax wraps are eco-friendly because they are entirely biodegradable.
So, when you’re ready to throw one away, you don’t have to worry about it sitting on a landfill somewhere for the next 100 years! Biodegradable materials are becoming more popular nowadays, so it’s good to know your options.
An excellent example of freezer-safe beeswax wraps is the Akeeko Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap from Amazon. This set contains multiple wraps, and they are affordable, reusable, and completely plastic-free. So, they’re safe to store all your food!
Not only are they an excellent alternative for regular freezer bags, but they are also great for keeping your food covered and fresh. Many people like to use beeswax wraps to wrap food and keep it in the fridge. This prevents anything unwanted from getting onto the food and protects it from catching smells from other foods.
4. Silicone Freezer Bags
Silicone freezer bags are another excellent alternative to freezer bags because they last longer than plastic. Here are the main reasons why silicone freezer bags are an excellent alternative to regular ones:
- They are easier to clean.
- You can reuse them more than standard freezer bags.
- They are more durable than plastic freezer bags, meaning they’ll last many years longer.
If you purchase thick silicone freezer bags, you can clean them easily. And in many cases, you can use 100% silicone freezer bags, meaning there are no added chemicals. This means your food is safe from any contamination while it’s in the freezer.
Although silicone freezer bags are more environmentally friendly than regular freezer bags, they aren’t as eco-friendly as the other alternatives on this list. Silicone isn’t biodegradable because it is highly durable, but this can also be seen as a good thing.
Silicone freezer bags last such a long time because they are durable. A decent silicone freezer bag should have a ziplock, like these SPLF BPA FREE Reusable Storage Bags from Amazon.com.
The ziplock will ensure the bag is airtight and keep the food sealed. These bags are fully reusable and easy to clean.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.