Freezing Milk?

When I was a kid my family lived in Japan for 3 years. Milk was either artificial (man-made milk-like substance) and tasted awful, or it was frozen and then shipped in to thaw in the grocery store. It was perfectly safe and it tasted much better than the fake stuff, but there were always tiny bits of milk fat that did not totally re-homogenize bakc into the milk, it was a little annoying, but not a big deal. Fat-free milk freezes and un-freezes best because it does not develop those little bits. So, if you want to freeze milk then yes, it is fine. But be aware taht it will expnad when it freezes so you may want to divide one gallon into two containers. Or, you could buy milk that stays fresh without refrigeration, I have seen it for sale at Costco. I have no idea how they do it, some kind of packageing process I guess, but it apparently is perfectly safe.

The milk will be fine, but it will expand when it freezes. You may want to empty some of it out first.

The only thing I remember is that it separates. You have to let it thoroughly thaw and then mix it up again. As far as the whole milk disappearing so fast, just label the jug with her name and have 2% for everyone else.

I know people who've done it with good success. I had a friend who thought it tasted different, but I never noticed it when I was at their house. I think everything else was covered. I've often thought about it when milk goes on sale. Remember to check the 1/2 gallon prices, too. If they're on sale, often two half gallons costs less than one whole gallon.

I don't know how it tastes, but I was reading a site that talked of the couple going shopping once a month and would get everything they needed. For the milk they would open the container, drink a little and then freeze it so it wouldn't explode. You probably already knew that, but just thought I would double check. The site was www.homeeconomiser.com if you are interested....

One thing that I didn't see mentioned is that you have to open and use some of the milk before you freeze it. Other wise there is no room for liquid expansion. I have never frozen milk, but have done research on doing it. The big thing I found in my reading is that freezing it will change the texture of the milk.
Good luck :o)

-M.

I had a friend who used to freeze her milk and it was fine. I personally don't like it but that's just my personal taste. I hear you about milk not lasting long and how expensive it is. Good luck!!!

My Mom used to buy several gallons of milk all the time and freeze them. As long as you let the gallon completely thaw and give it a little shake, you should be good to go!

I live in the mountains and do not have access to a store. I have froze milk. You need to open the container and pour about 1 - 2 inches out as the milk expands when it freezes. It tastes the same to us but you have to give yourself time for it to thaw. I usually let it thaw in the sink until it is partially thawed (overnight usually works) then let it finish thawing in the refrigerator. Good luck

Another option is to put a pinch of salt into the milk when you open it. It will keep for about a week longer than it would otherwise. Something about the salt halps to keep the enzymes from spoiling the mil so quickly or so I have been told. I don't understand the science behind it but I know that it works.
Good luck

We used to do this in my house when I was a teenager (and I was a pretty picky teenager as far as taste goes). We had all types at some point or another (fat free, skim, 1%, 2% and whole), and it works just fine as long as you have the freezer space for it. You do have to let a bit out before you freeze it so the carton doesn't bulge. It looks a little freaky because when it's frozen, the milk is yellowish. But when it thaws, it's milky white again. After it's completely thawed, you do have to shake or stir it up a bit because the cream will separate some when freezing and is usually the first part to thaw. So make sure it's completely thawed before you use it. It does work quite well, though, and I never noticed a texture or taste change in the thawed milk. It's just as good as the original. Give it a try. Good luck!

freezing milk is totally okay. We used to do it. It will not change the taste or texture in my experience. WHen you're about ready for a new gallon, we just stuck the frozen one in the sink to thaw for several hours. As long as there is still some ice in it, it will not get above the safe temperature.

My Mother used to always freeze at least one gallon at a time when I was growing up. Personally, I don't think it tastes "as fresh", but I don't believe it did anything to hurt the nutritional value of the milk.

We do it all the time...no effect on the milk.

I freeze milk pretty regularly. It works out quite well. You just have to make sure that there is space in the container for expansion when it freezes so I usually open the gallon and pour some into another container. Don't seal it too tight until after totally frozen or the air inside won't be able to escape when the milk freezes (expands) and the jug will burst.

Thawing: I just let the jug sit out on the counter for a couple hours and then put it in the fridge overnight and it's usually thawed to useable.

Freezing doesn't do anything wacky to it at all.

I don't know where you live exactly but Gossner foods in Logan, UT actually has shelf stable whole milk. You can buy it and keep it in your pantry and then put it in the fridge to chill it before opening (doesn't taste very good out of the pantry!)They also have really good flavored milks (everything from chocolate and strawberry to banana, rootbeer and mango milk and our favorite cookies and cream) You can get their milk in cartons that are individual sized up to quart size. Anyway, here is their website: http://www.gossner.com/home/gossner/index.php If you don't live near one of their stores (Logan, UT and Heyburn, ID) you can order their milk online and it has free shipping just go to the "more" button on the top right of their website. Hope this is helpful!

I have not personally done it but my neighbor across the street buys gallons and freezes them. Actually when I have had milk delivered it has frozen and thawed just fine. I think the organic milk usually has a longer life

UltraPastruzed milk has a crazy long fresh date, I have see 2 months, so you should be able to store in the fridge. You need to watch for spoiling after it has been opened.

J.

My experience was that it took forever to thaw. FOREVER. However after reading some of these responses I think I'll try it again. Too bad you can't stick it in the microwave without killing all the good enzymes.

It tends to separate on thawing, but like Gail said, just be sure to shake or mix it in some way.

I freeze milk every month. I buy 6-8 gallons at the first of the month. You need to take 1 cup of milk out per gallon. Just put it into something else. I either put it in the fridge or fill a quart mason jar 3/4 full and freeze that as well. Just make sure to stick it in the sink to thaw before the other one is gone. shake it around now and then, I've left it out all day to thaw and its fine. Again just make sure its thawed all the way or the last of the gallon will be a little watery.

We do. It looks yellow till it is thawed, we don't taste a difference, unless their is still ice in the milk. We just go thru to much milk it is easier than going to the store every other day.

Freezing milk is okay but give it plenty of time to thaw out. and shake it up before using.

Freezing milk is completely fine. You need to make sure that you pull it out of the freezer in time to thaw and once it is to shake it because in the freezing and thawing process it separates. I frozen gallons of milk for years.

Freezing milk is great. there is a couple of things you need to do however...pour about 1/2 to 1 cup out before you freeze it. the milk will expand...or something, anyway, it will leak out of the milk jug or crack it if you don't pour a little out.(kinda messy.)Your milk will look a bit yellow when you take it out of the freezer, that is normal. The next thing is let it thaw all the way before you use it.I do this by letting it sit out on the counter top for an entire day.( It is frozen so it stays really cold). then let it thaw the rest of the way in the refrigerator. It may take a couple of days so start the process two days before your other milk is gone. If it has not thawed completely it may be a little slushy and that wont hurt anything either.My kids seem to like the slushy milk to drink or on their cereal.
The milk itself will stay good for a week or so. Good luck M. T

Stock up and freeze- King Soopers has a Fri, Sat, Sun ad with milk $1.77 a gallon!!!!!

*ETA if you get Longmont Dairy in glass bottle to pour the milk into another container, the glass will crack due to the expansion of the milk frezzing.

I had a neighbor who would freeze the gallons of milk. She would make sure that she had a jug on had that didn't have much left and pour out some of each gallon that she was going to freeze then reseal and put it into the freezer. It is like water, it will expand when it freezes and break the jug. Other than that she didn't have any problems with it.
J.

It's absolutely fine to freeze milk. The only difficulty is remembering to take it out to thaw because it takes a LONG time to get all the ice crystals out of it. My kids are now OK with some ice crystals, but they use to not like it at all with the crystals in it.
We lived in Yellowstone Park and would do our grocery shopping in October and put 6 gallons of milk in the freezer at that time. Then when we snowmobiled back in for the winter season in December, we'd bring 2 gallons with us to use and then go on to the frozen ones. When we ran out, we'd have to order from the grocery store in West Yellowstone, which would send it in on the snowcoach, where it would freeze on the way in, so we'd stick some back in the freezer and thaw one to use. Really, no problems.

I've never had any issue with freezing milk. It still tastes the same after it is thawed out.

We freeze milk all the time and it's great.

I have a friend who is a big Sam's shopper. She buys many gallons of milk at a time, especially when it is on sale and stores them in a huge deep freezer in her basement. The milk is always fine. I think you have to shake it up really well once it defrosts. She is very particular about food and safety, so if she does it, I would think that is is fine.

I hope this helps,
T.

I know it is a little bit more expensive but I buy organic milk and it lasts way longer and you would not have to freeze it. Often when you buy it the expiration date is not for 2-3 weeks or more from the point you buy it. You can get the milk at Whole foods and Sprouts on sale and Whole Foods often has $1.00 off coupons in their magazines at the front of the store. I know Walmartand Super Target have it but it is not on sale. Another idea if Organic is more then you want to pay is when you go into the store to buy milk ask one of the stock people to go in the back and bring you the latest expiration date and this may help you to get a few more days out of it. I know this was not a direct answer but I hope this helps a little.

K.- I know when I was freezing my breastmilk, the info that came with my breatpump said to thaw milk in the fridge slowly. If you do warm it once frozen, you are not to warm it again as it "kills" the nutrtion in it. Hopefully this helps.

Like others have said, freezing milk works just fine. We used to do this when I was a kid too.

I found powdered whole milk in the Mexican section at the grocery store (Macy's, Harmon's, even Wal-Mart has it). It's not necessarily cheap, but it sure makes traveling or being out for longer times easy!

My son was a formula and breastfed baby and he did fine with the powder. It mixes easily and stores for long term. Comes in a little can like a formula can.

You can freeze milk but when it thaws it is disgusting!! The ice particles stay inside the container and melt they turn the milk very watery! However it appears the other responders have had no issue. It has been a while I just remember it tasting very watered down.
Watch for sales ads on milk. Milk can be good for five to seven days after sell by date too. I also love milk and we did the one gallon 1 % and the kids had a whole milk gallon, now finally we are all drinking 1%. I would even talk to your Dr as I just read they don't need whole milk necessarily if they are eating well solid wise, they can start at 2%. They need extra fat but it doesn't have to come from milk if that will help so the family can all drink the same kind! :)

I have frozen milk many times without any problems. It does look yellow when it's frozen...don't be alarmed. And keep in mind that it takes almost a full day to thaw the milk if it's a full gallon. I put mine in the sink to thaw so the condensation doesnt make a mess all over the counter.

Milk can be frozen just fine and it won't do anything to the taste as long as you let it all thaw before you drink it. I have an extra cold spot and frequently end up with a gallon of milk frozen solid. The only issue is that the fat and the milk don't thaw at the same rate so your milk is a little wierd if you drink it before it completely thaws.