Can you put glass in the freezer?

Have you ever made something in a glass container and needed to freeze it but held back thinking the glass would break? Freezing glass is a bit tricky.

So, can you put the glass in the freezer? It is possible to put tempered glass in the freezer as long as the contents are not too hot, there is space between the glass and other containers, and the lid of the glass container is not too tight. 

There are many factors to consider when putting glass in the freezer. This article will help you understand how to protect glass from breaking, so read on to find out more.

Can you freeze food in a glass container?

A freezer is an excellent place to cool your products if they are hot or to store them for a longer period of time. So you can always trust a freezer to protect your products.

Interestingly, you can keep almost anything in the freezer for over a month!

The shelf life of the products is multiplied by ten when you freeze them. But there is always the risk of breaking the glass if you don’t care about its contents. Storing food in glass containers and then freezing it has many advantages.

In fact, there are glass containers designed specifically for the freezer! These are some of the advantages of using them:

1. Glass containers are easy to clean as they are non-porous. Thus, food particles do not stick to the sides of the container.
2. Glass containers are stain resistant and less likely to scratch than plastic.
3. Glass jars are reusable. You can use them as many times as you want.
4. Mason jars are cheap if you plan on long-term use. You can use them for a lifetime if you use them properly.
5. They do not absorb odors like plastic. Plastic products can stink as they are porous, and they can also easily stain.
6. Glass is also very healthy. It does not contain petrochemicals or BPA, so your food will always be healthy.

With all these advantages, there are still a couple of things to keep in mind when freezing your food.

How to freeze food in a glass container

Storing food in a glass container is quite easy, but there is a proper way to do it to prevent it from breaking. So when you freeze any food, be sure to follow these guidelines.

Let the food cool down first

Imagine that you have baked an incredible lasagna, and now you have to store the leftovers in the baking dish itself.

First, let the pan cool down completely. If you put it in while it’s still too hot, the glass will experience thermal shock and be more likely to break.

Even containers designed to go from the oven to the freezer have a better chance of lasting a lifetime if you let them cool first.

If you are going to freeze any watery dish, the glass container is the one that is most likely to break due to expansion.

Always allow food to cool completely before putting it in the freezer, as thermal shock can cause the glass to break.

Choose your glass jars well

Never choose a jar that has a narrow lid. Instead, choose the widest-necked mason jar you have.

Suppose a glass has a distinctive pattern, such as the bottom. This could mean that it has been placed separately and was not originally part of the jar. 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 well, you won’t have to worry much about your food.

Use tempered glass

Always use tempered glass. Non-tempered glass has a high chance of breaking as it has small air pockets. Also, by contracting and expanding due to temperature changes, it is more likely to be damaged.

Tempered glass can withstand heat and cold, since it is chemically treated to increase its resistance.

Do not use glass with shoulders

The shoulders of the glass are usually at the breaking point.

For example, a mason jar typically has a wide bottom, and as it rises it suddenly tapers at the top, creating a shoulder. Avoid these jars, as they can create stress points when liquids rise upon freezing.

Leave some space in the container

Liquids always expand when frozen, so always keep that in mind when putting any liquid in the jar. Always leave some space, about 1-2 inches, so it doesn’t fill up and break.

Even if you put a solid item inside, leave some room for it to expand.

If you want to enjoy mangoes in winter, you can cut them into small pieces, store them in mason jars, and thaw them when you’re in the mood for a sweet treat.

You can do this with any fruit and vegetable, and the freezer will even help preserve its nutrients!

Don’t close the lid properly

If you put the food in and cover it with force, the lid may get stuck. It can also rupture inside the freezer due to expansion and the air pressure that builds up. It may even break when you take it out to thaw.

Once you have allowed the food to cool in the freezer, you can put the lid on, but don’t overtighten it. You don’t want to feel like you’re opening a jar of fresh pickles when you take it out.

Leave space between containers

If you are storing a pair of glasses together, leave some space between them. In the event of a mishap, such as the glass breaking inside the freezer, at least the other glasses will remain intact.

defrost slowly

This step will help you understand how you should use the food after it has been frozen:

1. Take the mason jar out of the freezer and allow it to thaw slowly.
2. Do not immediately put it in hot water or try to open the lid, as it may break.
3. Instead, let the food come to room temperature and then use it; otherwise it will not taste good.

Can you put glasses in the freezer?

Yes, you can put glasses in the freezer to serve cocktails or cocktails. So you make sure that the drink stays cold for a long time. But you have to be careful when you put 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, glasses are not made for the freezer, so only store them in the freezer for a short time.

Another trick to keep in mind is to use a cold drink before pouring it into the glass.

This ensures that the glass does not take a hit, as glasses are often fragile. Therefore, there is a high chance that they will break with slight changes in temperature.

You can also put the smoothie glass in the freezer. If you have prepared the smoothie a couple of hours before, put it in the freezer. It will have a slightly icy texture but trust us, it will taste amazing!

Can mason jars be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze mason jars. Glass jars are often known as mason jars. Although they have a narrow neck, you can freeze them.

Also, as already stated, be careful with the liquid you put into them. Also, leave some space and pour the liquid at least 5 cm below the neck.

Can glass pyrex be frozen?

Yes, glass pyrex is completely freezer safe.

Glass pyrex has a rubber or plastic cap on top of the glass container. This rubber cap provides a slight margin 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 the freezer in glass pyrex.

Another advantage is that you can even move the glass pyrex from the freezer to the oven without worrying about the big difference in temperature. This is especially safe if you let the glass sit in the oven while it preheats.

However, we always recommend letting the glass come to room temperature, just in case!

Final thoughts

Glass containers are an excellent option for storing food in the freezer.

It can be a little tricky to understand, but once you understand the science behind what you store, it’s an easy ride. You only have to take into account a couple of things, and that’s it!

The best thing about glass containers is that they can increase the life of anything. So go ahead and get yourself a couple of glassware to store. You will not regret!