If your freezer is small, making the most of the space is essential (Image: Getty)
can be a real godsend when it comes to cutting down on the amount of food you throw out at home.
A lot of different types of and meals can simply be stored in the freezer if you don’t have time to eat them fresh, making them last a lot longer and avoiding unnecessary food waste.
But if you’ve not got that much storage space, then maximising it is absolutely essential.
This means only keeping the right kind of food in there, and according to consumer experts at Which?, there are a few things that you should avoid storing in the freezer – as it can end up ruining them.
They created a short video detailing five of these surprising foods, noting that freezer space is a “hot commodity” and you shouldn’t waste it by keeping the wrong things in there.
Some of these can in fact be kept in the freezer, but only if they’re stored in a certain way that means they won’t end up getting ruined.
Here are the five warnings issued by the experts at Which?, and how you should be storing them instead.
Eggs
Specifically, hard-boiled or whole eggs. The experts warned: “They could either expand and crack or become rubbery and unappetising.”
If you do want to freeze eggs then you’ll need to crack them first, and either separate the whites from the yolks or beat them together before popping them in the freezer.
Whole or hard-boiled eggs should never be frozen (Image: Getty)
Yoghurt and cream
A lot of dairy products, such as milk and cheese, can be kept in the freezer and this won’t impact their taste or texture. However, this isn’t always the case with yoghurt and cream.
The experts said: “If you do choose to freeze these things, be prepared for a potentially watery and grainy outcome.”
Defrosted food
Anything that has already been defrosted is another major no-go. The experts warned: “The more times you freeze something, the higher the risk of food poisoning.”
Ideally, food should only be frozen once before defrosting, in order to limit the dangers associated with doing so.
Cucumbers, lettuce and watermelon
Any fruits and vegetables with a high water content – like those mentioned above – should generally not be stored in the freezer.
The experts said: “The water inside expands and damages the cell walls. So when they start to thaw, you’re left with a mushy mess.”
Fried foods
The pros said that freezing food you’ve already fried yourself generally doesn’t tend to work very well either.
You’ll end up losing the flavour and that crispy texture, and may end up soggy even if you do attempt to re-fry them.