The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Rachel about organizing a top freezer.
As promised, I’ve been organizing a top freezer. Since I only have a side-by-side, my friend was kind enough to let me root around in her kitchen freezer and come up with a few solutions to organize a freezer located above the refrigerator.
*I receive a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.*
Although this type of freezer unit may be challenging at times to organize, I’m sure you already know it’s proven to be the best economical choice. You may have to think a little outside the icebox 🙂 when it comes to organizing this zone but the big bucks you save make up for it! Now you can re-invest that savings in a few containers to keep your space both economical and functional.
Everyone’s food preferences and storage needs are uniquely different. Therefore, my goal today is to share some visual inspiration for those who are looking to organize their top-freezer. Hopefully, you’ll find something that sparks your interest and will work in your kitchen freezer too!
Let’s take a look inside my friend, Mollie’s top-freezer before we started organizing…
Look familiar to anyone? Don’t worry Mollie, we ALL have our share of these freezer days! What a good an awesome friend to let me publish pictures of her unorganized freezer! And here’s the “before” shot of the door…
I started with some basic measurements of the inside of her freezer to know what size of containers I needed. Then I followed the same guidelines I talked about HERE, which are similar to Laura’s freezer organizing tips HERE.
Step 1: Empty the Freezer in Stages
Yes, she kindly let me empty the contents of her freezer and together we gave it a good wipe down. Emptying it helped us take a general inventory of her storage needs. I did this in three stages; the top half, the bottom half, and the door section. As mentioned last time, I empty in stages to keep from defrosting the entire contents of the freezer.
Step 2: Tidy-up and/or Condense Items
Next, we sorted. Actually, as I emptied a section of the freezer we would sort through that inventory, put it back, and then move on to the next section. Again, this is to keep those valuable goods frozen. The point of this is to pick through what was outdated or able to be condensed so we only invested in what she wanted to keep.
Step 3: Group Similar Items Together
Together we categorized her items and reviewed her needs for freezer functionality. Mollie reasonably stocks up on meat and other perishable items when they go on sale. I wanted to make sure there was room for her to continue this practice. Grouping like-with-like gives her a good idea on what is running low or what she has in excess. Her main category groups are…
- raw meats
- bread goods
- baking ingredients/flours
- convenience meals (like chicken nuggets or prepared ravioli)
- and meals or sauces she had previously frozen for family dinners
The groups that were larger (listed above) got an individual container. The random things that were a smaller group or not a group at all went in the door space or in gaps like you see below.
For example, she doesn’t keep many freezer packs, so we tossed them in a narrow container and slid it right along the small gap to the left of all the meat.
Step 4: Containerize
I used three different types of products inside this top-freezer to best utilize every inch but also stay within the budget.
The first container (and my favorite for this type of freezer) was a large, white Akro bin found at the Container Store (HERE) and pictured below.
We used these large sized bins across the bottom of her freezer to contain all the raw frozen meats. Three can fit comfortably on the bottom shelf of a top-freezer with a little room to spare on the side. For this particular freezer, they were just the right height leaving enough room to reach inside. FYI, these bins can stack too, so you have versatility if you change the layout down the road.
I like the design of this bin. It’s easy to reach inside while also keeping the contents well confined. Typically I like to dedicate the lowest space of any refrigerator or freezer to raw meats, but a top-freezer layout can be too small for blocking off an entire shelf. So, using containers to keep raw meats separated in case of a spill is equally as effective.
Also (and my favorite reason), they have a label built into the front edge. For those of us who love labels, could it get any better? I don’t have a good picture of this container label but I’ll be back next time with more on labels. Oh, and the price point is relatively low compared to most freezer organizing systems.
My final thought on this type of container, they are not specifically labeled as “food safe”. However, Mollie was okay using them to store her meat since everything was individually packaged in food safe baggies. The containers don’t specifically say “food safe” but they are BPA-free.
The next container we used was a medium sized multi-purpose bin (also found at the Container Store HERE).
They’re narrow enough to be lined alongside each other and they are just the right height to fill the open space on the top shelf. We used three of these as well. From left to right, we containerized her sauces & pre-frozen meals, breads & dough, and convenience foods.
You can see where we tucked this Southern girl’s frozen pecans in the small open space on the right. The trick is to freeze them flat and then stand upright like you see below.
Finally, we used two clear bins for a few random items.
One holds her freezer packs and the other sits inside the door to contain her small bags of baking goods like chocolate chips and coconut flakes.
Also, you will see below, we used the door itself as a container for other baking ingredients like flour and the butter she stocked up when on sale. Between the butter and pecans, I was ready to whip up a pecan pie for all our hard work.
Since everyone loves a good side-by-side comparison, I’ll let the pictures below speak for themselves. Here’s the overall inside “after” picture…
And the “after” picture of the door…
And one final comparison photo…
Now, I know what you’re thinking… “isn’t she missing a final step?” Yes, I feel the same. Perhaps there should be a 5th step in my freezer process that includes labeling. Some people label their freezer categories because everything looks the same when covered in a frosty layer of cold. I may or may not have something else up my sleeve, but you’ll have to stay tuned for next time. 😉 Until then, click the links below to recap past freezer organizing topics.
Quick Tips for Organizing the Deep Freezer
Upright Freezer Organization Tips
Thank you Mollie for letting me photograph and organize your freezer. And thank you Organizing Junkie readers for mentioning top-freezer organizing in the comments!
In the professional world, I’m a nurse by trade. But at home I’m known as Mommy to our young daughter. My two worlds collided and began shaping into a blog. Useful Beautiful Home represents the hours I’ve dedicated to managing my household as efficiently as possible. I offer you motivation to keep your home healthy, organized, and welcoming.
Molly says
It’s as if you were here. I needed this so much. Thanks
Sarah @ Play 2 Learn with Sarah says
OMG! My freezer definitely looks like the before picture…thank you for these tips! I’m going shopping RIGHT NOW to get this organized!
Kemi Quinn says
Nice! I have those containers from the Container Store. Unfortunately they’re packed right now but I’m bookmarking this for when we move.
Terri | Sugar Free Glow says
I have to do this with our store room refrigerator/freezer. I also have tons of frozen pecans–like too much for one family. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mollie Hayes says
I love it! I can’t believe that my freezer could look so beautiful! it makes me happy just to open it and look inside!! thank you!!!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Yep, yep – my back-up freezer is a “top” model, and it looks exactly like Mollie’s “before” pics (or, ummmmmmm … maybe worse! :D). Great ideas – and I’m feeling so inspired to tackle this project and get organized – I hate wasting food because I forget what i’ve got stocked in there! Thanks for the awesome tips! 😀
Mary says
Hi, This was just in time for me. My freezer looks like that also, what a good idea. I am off to get containers and I know this will be a big help. thanks for info
Herre. says
Thanks! I was always afraid that putting the food into containers would reduce their ability to remain frozen but seeing this makes me happy!!
Ree says
Thanks for this inspiration since we have the exact same freezer layout. I really wanted to use the bins you used and went to our local Container Store but my fridge is deeper than normal, so i went on the hunt for deep bins. 16-17″ deep.I found some at Walmart. They were a bit pricier than I wanted but similar bins at CS were $7 more each. Food would often fall on me or on the floor so this will help a lot. Also I’ll be able to find things easier and see when we are out of items.
Lena says
What if you have an even smaller top freezer? Mine doesn’t have the top and bottom layout in the example. My ice maker/bin just sits on the bottom. My doors are the same though. Any advice for me?
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Lena, buy those wire shelves you can get from the dollar store or even Walmart. That will help you get an additional row in.
Chelsey w says
Hi there! What size storage binz did you get for the freezer bags/small baked goods? 🙂
Nicole Krotzer says
The links fir containers @ container store are not working ?
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Nicole, I fixed it 🙂