295334 Sat Dec 13 20:49:02 -0800 2003 3 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1622821 What's the rule for how long meats can be kept in the freezer? I'm talking about your supermarket-bought steaks, pork chops, chicken, etc. I've always wondered about this.... Sat Dec 13 20:49:02 -0800 2003 0 DaveP 1 1622832 Many factors come into play. Quick freezing is best...the faster the better. I like to shrink-wrap my food before freezing...totally air tight. There are other factors: continuous low temperature,whether meat is smoked or not, solid or sliced, etc. The seminal principle is to freeze the meat before the water in the cell can crystalize and puncture the cell wall. Sat Dec 13 23:32:18 -0800 2003 1622821 0 Jim H. 2 1622839 Thanks, Jim--good ideas. I've usually just take the package that comes from the supermarket and thrown that in the freezer. How long will the meat stay good for in the freezer, if it's properly wrapped? A few months? A year? Sun Dec 14 00:35:07 -0800 2003 1622832 0 DaveP 3 1622877 Shrink-wrapped with quality shrinker (like Tilia Food Saver)about one year. Should check periodically, since some times the package springs a leak and frost gets in. Sun Dec 14 18:34:40 -0800 2003 1622839 0 Jim H.