en Food should be frozen solid as quickly as possible in order to retain vitamins, nutritional value, appearance and flavour. To prevent an undesirable temperature rise when placing fresh food in the freezer compartment, switch on super freezing several hours beforehand. As a rule, 4–6 hours is adequate. If the max. freezing capacity is to be used, super freezing must be switched on for 24 hours before the fresh produce is placed in the freezer compartment. Smaller quantities of food (up to 2 kg) can be frozen without “super freezing”. Note When super freezing is switched on, increased operating noises may occur. Press “super” button 2.
If the super freezing has been switched on the button is lit. Super freezing automatically switches off after approx. 2Ѕ days. 13 Super freezing Switching on and off Fig. 2 To prevent food from losing its flavour or drying out, place in airtight containers. ■ Fish, sausage, ready meals and cakes and pastries: up to 6 months 4. Label packaging with contents and date of freezing. Suitable packaging: Plastic film, tubular film made of polyethylene, aluminium foil, freezer containers. These products are available from specialist outlets. Unsuitable packaging: Wrapping paper, greaseproof paper, cellophane, bin liners and used shopping bags. Items suitable for sealing packaged food:
Rubber bands, plastic clips, string, cold- resistant adhesive tape, etc. Bags and tubular film made of polyethylene can be sealed with a film heat sealer. 1. Place food in packaging. 2. Remove air. 3. Seal the wrapping. Shelf life of frozen food Depends on the type of food. At a temperature of -18 °C: ■ Cheese, poultry and meat: up to 8 months Packing frozen food ■ Vegetables and fruit: up to 12 months