Is It Safe To Freeze Food In Glass Containers?

“I’ve frozen some soups and sauces using glass containers and only now realized I might need to be careful! Honestly, I’m nervous that they’ll shatter or somehow harm the food. What kind of glass containers should I use for freezing? Are there any special tricks or mistakes to avoid? I don’t want to waste all the food I spent days prepping for my family, and I’d love to know how to do this safely moving forward.” Thanks, Amanda, Hamilton, Canada.

Is It Safe To Freeze Food In Glass Containers?

Freezing food is such a great way to preserve what you make, especially when you cook in bulk like Amanda’s been doing. But the question of using glass containers for freezing can get a little tricky. Yes, it’s absolutely safe to freeze food in glass containers, if you do it right. There’s always that lurking anxiety about glass shattering in the freezer, but following some pretty simple guidelines can make all the difference.

The Pros of Using Glass for Freezing

Before jumping into the potential mishaps, let’s talk about why glass containers are even considered for freezing food.

1. **Reusable and Eco-Friendly**
Let’s face it, glass wins when it comes to reducing waste. It’s reusable over and over again—especially compared to plastic bags that end up in the landfill—which is a nice bonus for us who care about sustainability.

2. **Non-Toxic and Safe for the Family**
Unlike many plastics, glass doesn’t release questionable chemicals into your food. This is great when you’re mindful about the materials coming into contact with your precious leftover soup or that stash of garden-fresh beans you’ve harvested.

3. **No Staining or Absorption of Odors**
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve regretted using plastic to store red sauces! Glass won’t stain or hold onto strong food smells, so it stays fresh and clear, time after time.

But Why Does Glass Break in the Freezer?

The big concern most people have is putting something made of glass in the freezer and waking up to find it shattered into a million sad little pieces. Glass is sensitive to changes in temperature, which causes it to expand and contract, just like many other materials. But when the glass cools too quickly (or heats up too fast), it can crack, or worse, shatter.

Here are some situations when glass is most at risk in the freezer:

– **Extreme Temperature Swings**
If you pour hot soup into a glass container and pop it straight into the freezer, the sudden shift in temperature can stress the glass and cause it to break.

– **Overfilled Containers**
When liquid freezes, it expands. So, if there’s not enough room left in your glass container, the pressure from the expanding liquid will push on the sides and potentially crack it wide open. No bueno!

For Amanda’s prepping situation, this is especially important because a week’s worth of meals could go to waste if a container fails!

Tips on Freezing Food in Glass Containers Safely

Now, it’s time for the nitty-gritty. Freezing food in glass is completely safe when done correctly. Let’s tackle some helpful tips that’ll make Amanda’s current stash freezer-friendly:

• **Use the Right Kind of Glass**
  Not all glass is created equal when it comes to freezing. Make sure you’re using **tempered glass**, which is specifically made to handle temperature changes much better. Many storage containers you find on the market are made from this type of glass, but double-check just to be sure.
• **Leave Headspace for Expansion**
  Glass containers shouldn’t get packed to the brim. Make sure to leave about an inch (roughly 2.5 cm) of space between the surface of the food and the opening of the jar or container. This gives your food room to expand when it freezes without putting any pressure on the glass walls.
• **Cool Food Before Freezing**
  This is key for preventing thermal shock (which is just a fancy way of saying the glass could crack due to the sudden temperature change). If you’ve just made a batch of hot soup or sauce, let it cool down to room temperature before transferring it to the freezer. Amanda, you’ll avoid most mishaps just by letting things cool properly first!
• **Lay Jars Tilted Until Frozen**
  This might sound quirky, but laying containers or jars at a slant inside the freezer can reduce pressure on the sides. Just make sure to set them upright again once frozen.

Frequent Mistakes to Watch Out For

It’s so nice having a freezer full of home-cooked meals ready to serve on a busy day! But if something goes wrong, all that effort can be lost, so here are some mistakes even the best of us have made.

1. **Using Thin Glass or Non-Tempered Glass**
Some glass containers, especially decorative jars or kitchen serving dishes, aren’t designed to handle freezing temperatures. They simply don’t have the strength to withstand temperature shifts. If Amanda goes ahead with freezing, she’ll want to verify her containers are designed for freezer use.

2. **Skipping the Cool-Down Step**
We’ve all been tempted to throw a freshly made pot of chili directly into the freezer when we’re short on time, but this is a huge no-no. Hot or even warm foods going into a glass container and then into the freezer will increase the risk of cracking. Patience is key here!

Pitfalls of Freezing in Glass vs. Plastic Alternatives

There’s always the plastic vs. glass debate, and many people ask why they can’t just stick with reusable plastic containers. While plastics are often freezer-safe and less prone to breaking, they come with their own set of issues, especially if you’re looking to reduce environmental impact or avoid chemicals.

– **Glass** wins in terms of long-term use and overall environmental impact. You’ll likely be able to use a good quality glass container for years without worrying about wear and tear.

– **Plastic**, on the other hand, may develop scratches, hold odors, and over time, its structural integrity can be compromised, releasing toxins into your food. Yuck.

But if you’re looking to freeze a lightweight portion of something quickly, plastic is certainly more forgiving when it comes to dropping or handling (let’s just admit it—I’ve definitely sacrificed a container or two to clumsiness).

What Foods Freeze Well in Glass Containers?

Not all foods are created equal when it comes to freezing, so picking the right kinds of food to freeze in glass is important. Here are a few safe bets that freeze well:

• **Soups and Broths** – These are fantastic freezer-friendly items. Just make sure to leave that gap at the top of the jar for expansion.
• **Sauces** – Tomato sauces, gravies, and other liquid-based meals freeze perfectly, again with space left at the top.
• **Smaller Solid Items** – Fruits, vegetables, or even hearty stews freeze nicely in glass containers, especially in pre-portioned amounts.

How to Thaw Food Frozen in Glass

Of course, once you’ve frozen your food perfectly in glass, the next challenge is getting it back out without causing any damage or ending up with soggy food. Amanda, when it comes time to enjoy your hard-earned freezer meals, here are a few thawing tips:

• **Thaw in the Fridge First**
  It’s important to avoid drastic temperature changes, even when thawing your frozen meals. Move the container from the freezer into the fridge and let it slowly come up to temperature. This helps prevent sudden breakage or thermal shock.
• **Avoid Running Under Hot Water**
  It can be tempting to speed up the thawing process by running the container under hot water, but this can cause the same issue of glass cracking due to sudden changes in temperature. If you’re in a hurry, use lukewarm water instead (and place the jar or container in another dish first to protect against spills).
• **Microwave with Caution**
  This one’s tricky—only thaw microwavable glass containers if they are actually labeled safe for microwave use! Otherwise, you’re better off letting things thaw naturally. Even tempered glass can have a bad time if it hits sudden hot spots in something like a microwave.

Common Questions about Freezing in Glass

These are a few additional common questions people like Amanda may have.

**Q:** Can you freeze mason jars?
**A:** Yes, you can freeze in mason jars, but only using the straight-sided ones. Mason jars with shoulders (the ones that curve in just below the lid) are more likely to crack due to pressure from expanding contents.

**Q:** How do I prevent freezer burn in glass containers?
**A:** To reduce the chances of freezer burn, make sure the food is completely cooled and sealed tightly. A vacuum seal or pressing out as much air as possible before freezing can help.

Final Thoughts…

Amanda, it’s awesome that you’re prepping so many meals in advance for your family. Freezing them in glass containers is a totally safe and smart choice, as long as you give that glass room to breathe and cool things down before freezing them. Just remember, using high-quality, tempered glass, leaving space for expansion, and thawing slowly in the fridge are your best friends.

Thanks again for sending in your question! Enjoy those freezer meals and keep making your life a little easier in the process.