I spent a day in a gleaming professional kitchen this week, and I came away with lots of ideas and inspiration — including this one little reminder of a great kitchen helper: A roll of masking tape.
I was at the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone campus in Napa Valley this week, watching chefs participate in a hands-on workshop hosted by the US Potato Board. There were stations set up for each chef, with ingredients that were often labeled with a hunk of masking tape and a scrawl of marker.
If you've ever worked in a professional kitchen, you've probably had a roll of masking tape nearby, along with a permanent marker. Masking tape is one of the fastest, easiest ways to label all sorts of things in the kitchen: Freezer bags, food storage containers — even open bowls, like the dish of hard-boiled eggs here.
The tape is broad and sticky; it stays put. But it's easy to remove and doesn't leave a messy residue. Just tear off a piece, slap it on, and write on it. When you're done, peel it off.
It's inexpensive and simple — much better than more customized and pricey labels when you need to label ingredients or leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
Do you use masking tape in your kitchen? Or do you have other ways of labeling your food?
Related: Easy & Smart Freezer Tip: Label Food Containers With a Dry Erase Crayon
(Images: Faith Durand)
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Yep, I started doing this a couple months ago, very handy. The only time it's tricky is if you want to label something that's already been in the freezer, because the moisture prevents the tape from sticking. I've always kept my already-used/waiting-to-be-reused zip bags in the freezer. Sometimes it works to wipe/dry off a section well before sticking the tape on, but it still doesn't always stay stuck...so might have to re-think my bag storage...
They also make masking tape specifically for freezers...I haven't tried it though.
For hard boiled eggs, I always just write an "H" on the egg directly. No tape required.
I do this with painters tape.
yay! been doing this for ages. i also label plastic storage containers and lids with my name, thus eliminating guesswork when recipients of "gifted" food want to return containers. esp. nice when ailing recipients receive food from multiple benefactors.
i label all my freezer leftovers this way with a date on the container and contents--after it freezes and its a month later i dont remember whats in there.
I started doing this on the containers my kids take to school. I also use it for temp. baby proofing (stick cupboards and the fridge shut).
Lately I've been writing reminders on masking tape and sticking it to the front of the relevant backpack/bag. So on Monday morning I don't forget money/permission slips etc. This works well to remind my hubby when he does the school run.
Freezer tape is the best! I use it for freezer jams, stocks, etc. It doesn't come off until you take it off, is easy to write on with a Sharpie, and is just super handy.