How to freeze milk to beat rising prices
I was recently at Sam’s Club to grab some milk, because it is usually cheaper there than anywhere. However, even Sam’s Club bulk buying power has the price 15 ¢ higher than the occasional grocery store sale price. I was surprised, but not unprepared.
When the food prices are up and the economy isn’t, it is time to start looking for ways to save money and freezing milk is one very handy way to handle that and save when you find a good sale.
First, you can buy the milk in bulk at a good price and then freeze it. Iowa State University Extension & University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension:
It is safe to freeze milk but freezing may change the texture of the milk and cause some separation. Stirring well may reduce the texture change and separation enough to use the milk in products like puddings and baked goods. If you are freezing milk for your family to drink, try a small amount first and see how they like it. Remember to allow plenty of headspace (1-1 ½ inches) for the milk to expand in your freezing container (Emphasis mine).
On the Dairyland site from Canada:
Although we do not recommend freezing milk products, for some it is a necessity. Milk may be frozen for as long as 3 months provided the sealed container is frozen prior to the best before date. Skim and 2% milk freeze better than Homo milk (whole milk). Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator. The milk will still have the same nutrients, but it may separate. If it does, shake well or beat with an electric mixer or rotary beater. (Emphasis mine).
Based on these and other people opinions at various forums, it appears freezing milk is one way to freeze the price affecting your wallet. Whether you decide to use the frozen milk in cooking only or for drinking is up to you and your taste buds. But it appears to be a safe way to save money.
Second, you can always check out the boxes of powered milk that are in the cooking aisle of your local grocery store. From what I can tell most people use it for cooking or do a half & half (powdered/pasteurized) approach to stretch the milk within their family. Personally, I am powdered milk all the way. For me, the cost of buying powdered milk works out to a ‘˜free gallon’ every 3 gallons I make. And that milk lasts me a good 4-5 days or more.
Things to consider when your milk prices go up:
Freeze milk to get you through to the next sale
Buy powdered milk to mix in and stretch or to replace
—–
Dawn C. is site owner of FrugalforLife.com where this is a repost from: Freezing the Rising Milk Prices. Dawn resides in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 12 years.
Photo credit: stock.xchng.
Good tips, Dawn. I agree with you about freezing milk, but I could never go back to powdered milk. I hated it as a child and I don’t think I could stomach it now. I drink soy milk, which is also going up in price. But it at least stores on the shelf.
Omg, are you crazy? Milk is certainly not something you would want to freeze! And powdered milk? When are we living? Post war?
@Serena -Powdered milk isn’t so bad and I would much rather save money… some people wash out sandwich bags, I drink powdered milk.
@Susanne- Some may think me crazy, but not dangerous to anyone. LOL
Why do you think freezing milk is a bad idea? And why is powdered milk equal to living during the war?
Fair enough, Dawn.
As for the comment on the cost of soymilk– I have found it pretty easy to make my own, though it is different than the consistency of something like Silk soymilk.
Funnily, I love the taste of powdered milk. I also drank it as a child, and it brings back sweet memories. It’s also great for using in recipes- I actually like it more than regular milk in some things- like flan!