Can You Put Glass In The Freezer?
Have you ever made something in a glass container and needed to freeze it but held yourself back thinking the glass will shatter? Freezing glass is a bit tricky.
So, can you put glass in the freezer? It is possible to put tempered glass in the freezer as long as the contents inside are not too hot, there is space between the glass and other containers, and the glass container’s lid is not too tight.
There are many factors to keep in mind while putting glass in the freezer. This article will help you understand how to protect your glass from breaking, so read on to know more!
Can You Freeze Food In A Glass Container?
A freezer is an excellent place to chill your products if they are hot or store them for a longer time. So you can always trust a freezer to protect your products.
Interestingly, you can keep just about anything in the freezer for more than a month!
The shelf life of products increases tenfold once you freeze them. But there is always a risk of breaking the glass if you do not care about its contents. There are many benefits of storing food in glass containers and then freezing it.
In fact, there are glass containers specifically designed for the freezer! Here are some of the benefits to using them:
- Glass containers are easy to clean since they are non-porous. So the food particles won’t get stuck on the sides of the container.
- Glass containers are stain-resistant and less likely to get scratched than plastic.
- Glass jars are reusable. You can use them as many times as you like.
- Glass jars are inexpensive when you think about their long-term use. You can use them for a lifetime if you use them properly.
- They do not absorb odors as plastic does. Plastic products can stink since they are porous, and they can also stain easily.
- Glass is also very healthy to use. It does not contain petrochemicals or BPA, so your food will always remain healthy.
With all these benefits, there are still a couple of things you should keep in mind when you freeze your food.
How To Freeze Food In A Glass Container
Storing food in a glass container is pretty easy, but there’s a proper way to do it to avoid breakage. So when you freeze any food item, be sure to follow these guidelines.
1. Let The Food Cool First
Imagine you have baked an amazing lasagna, and now you have to store the leftovers in the baking dish itself.
First, allow the dish to cool down completely. If you put it in while it is still too hot, the the glass will suffer thermal shock and be more likely to shatter.
Even containers that are designed to go from the oven to the freezer stand a better chance of lasting a lifetime if you let them cool first.
If you are freezing any watery dishes, then the glass container has the highest chance of breakage due to expansion.
Always allow the food item to cool off completely before you put it in the freezer, as the thermal shock can lead to glass shattering.
Choose Your Glass Jars Wisely
Never choose a jar that has a narrow top. Instead, choose the widest neck glass jar that you have.
Suppose a glass has a distinctive pattern on it, like on the bottom. This could mean it has been attached separately and was not part of the jar originally. These jars are easy to break if they receive a thermal shock.
Usually the label will say whether or not the glass is safe to freeze. So once you choose your jar wisely, you do not have to worry much about your food.
Use Tempered Glass
Always use tempered glass. Non-tempered glass has a high chance of breaking, as they have tiny pockets of air. In addition, contracting and expanding because of temperature changes is more likely to cause damage.
Tempered glass can handle heat and cold as they are chemically treated to increase their strength.
Do Not Use Glass With Shoulders
Shoulders in glass usually meet at the breaking point.
For instance, a mason jar usually has a wide bottom, and then as it goes upwards, it suddenly becomes narrower at the lid, which creates a shoulder. Avoid such jars, as they can create stress points as the liquids rise upon freezing.
Leave Some Space In The Container
Liquids always expand upon freezing, so always keep this in mind while you put any liquid item in the jar. Always leave some space, around 1-2 inches, so that it does not fill up and break.
Even if you are putting a solid item inside it, still give some space for expansion.
If you want to enjoy mangoes in the winter season, you can cut them into small pieces, store them in glass jars, and thaw them when you feel like a sweet treat!
You can do this with any fruits and veggies, and the freezer will even help preserve their nutrients!
Do Not Close The Lid Tightly
If you pack your food in and put the lid on it tightly, the lid can get stuck. It can also break inside the freezer due to expansion plus the building air pressure. It can even shatter when you take it out to thaw.
After you have let the food cool down in the freezer, then you can put the lid on but not too tightly. You don’t want to feel like you’re opening a fresh pickle jar when you take it back out.
Leave Space Between Containers
If you are storing a couple of glasses together, then leave some space between them. In case of any mishaps, like if the glass shatters inside the freezer, then at least other glasses will remain intact.
Defrost Slowly
This step will help you understand how you should use the food after you have frozen it:
- Take the glass jar out of the freezer and let it defrost slowly.
- Do not immediately put it in hot water or try to open the lid, as it can break.
- Instead, let the food come to room temperature and then use it; otherwise, it will not taste good.
Can You Put Drinking Glasses In The Freezer?
Yes, you can put glasses in the freezer to serve mocktails or cocktails. It ensures that the drink remains cool for a long time. But you have to be careful while putting the glass in the freezer.
The best method is to clean the glass and put it in the freezer for up to two hours. Also, drinking glasses are not made for the freezer, so keep them in the freezer for a short time only!
Another trick to keep in mind is using a chilled drink before pouring it into the glass.
This ensures that the glass does not receive a shock, as drinking glasses are usually fragile. Hence, there is a huge chance of their breakage upon slight temperature changes.
You can also put your milkshake glass in the freezer. So, if you have made the milkshake a couple of hours before, then go ahead and put it in the freezer. It will have a slightly icy texture but, trust us, it will taste amazing!
Can You Freeze Glass Jars?
Yes, you can freeze glass jars. Glass jars are usually known as mason jars. Although they have narrow necks, you can freeze them.
Also, as mentioned above, be careful of the liquid you are putting in it. Also, leave some space and pour the liquid at least 2 inches below the neck.
Can You Freeze Glass Pyrex?
Yes, glass pyrex is entirely safe for the freezer.
Glass pyrex has a rubber or plastic lid on top of the glass container. This rubber lid provides slight room for expansion, so you don’t have to worry about the glass breaking!
You can even make food for the whole week and store it in a freezer in glass pyrex.
Another benefit is that you can even transfer glass pyrex from the freezer to the oven without worrying about the vast temperature difference. This is especially safe if you allow the glass to rest in the oven while it preheats.
However, we always recommend letting the glass come up to room temperature anyway, just in case!
Final Thoughts
Glass containers are an excellent choice for storing food in a freezer.
It can get a little tricky to understand, but once you get the science behind the stuff you are storing, it’s an easy ride. Just a couple of things to keep in mind, and you are good to go!
The best part of glass containers is that they can increase the shelf life of anything. So go ahead and get yourself a couple of glass items for storage. You won’t regret it!
