freeze the milk....last a really long time.

we're discussing this at work now, how long exactly?

26 gallons of milk takes up what, 4x4x4 freezer? what do you have, a meat locker?

not sure exactly how long it lasts....we have saved milk for at least a few months frozen....when it freezes the jug gets a little distended in places.....occasionally when you set them out to thaw overnight a small leak is exposed, but rarely......so we set them in a big bowl to thaw overnight, just in case.....

tbh, we have never had this much before so i suppose we will test the limits of how long it stays good frozen......if it goes bad before we get to the end of it ill post how long it took.......

we got kids, so it goes fast, and we got a few freezers in the garage......

Dear CIQ: Can you freeze milk?

While pasteurized milk can be frozen; it may separate or be slightly grainy when thawed. Frozen milk works best for cooking, but you may find it's still okay for drinking.

Freeze milk in plastic freezer containers or special freezer-proof glass jars. Leave some extra space at the top since milk expands during freezing. If packaged in a wide-mouth container, leave 1/2-inch head space for pints and 1-inch for quarts. If packaged in a narrow-mouth container (such as jars), leave 1 1/2-inch head space for either pints or quarts.

Plan to use frozen milk within a month. Thaw milk in the refrigerator. Stir well before using.

Can I freeze milk by the gallon?

If you mean, "can I buy a gallon-sized plastic container of milk and chuck it in the freezer when I get home?," the answer is no. At the very least, you have to free up enough space in the container so that it doesn't burst when the milk expands in freezing. It will expand by 9 percent, so you need to remove about a cup and a half of milk per gallon to prevent a flood.

The other possible interpretation of your question is, "does freezing (and thawing) diminish the quality of milk?"

The people who promote and sell milk do not want you to freeze it. According to the National Dairy Council, freezing causes "undesirable changes in milk's texture and appearance." The dairy council wants every glass of milk you drink to be fresh, cold, and delicious. It wants you to love milk. It doesn't want you (or your children) ever to associate splotchiness or graininess with a glass of milk.

And freezing milk does cause some degree of separation among its components. Skim and low-fat milk freeze (thaw, actually) better than whole milk, as there is less separation. You can shake the thawed milk vigorously or beat it in an electric mixer, but it still will not have the same "mouth feel" as milk that has not been frozen. The dairy board and other milk groups suggest that you might prefer to use previously frozen milk in cooking and baking, and save never-frozen milk for drinking.

There is some disagreement on how long you should keep milk in the freezer (ranging from three weeks to three months). Milk readily absorbs other flavors, so the sooner you get to it, the more likely it will still taste like milk. It should be thawed in the refrigerator, and will take a day or more for a gallon to thaw thoroughly.

Question:
Hello, I was wondering if unopened plastic jugs of whole white milk can be frozen. If so; does it change the quality or taste, how long can it be frozen for, what is the best way to defrost it and how quickly should it be used once it is thawed? Thank you. Marilyn M. Hotchkiss
Answer:
Hello Marilyn,
Homogenised milk can be frozen but there is usually a change in quality.The defrosted milk often has separated a little and can have a slightly grainy mouthfeel. Defrosted milk is probably best used in cooking but many people find it perfectly acceptable to use as a drink and on cereal, it is a question of personal taste.
The milk can be frozen in the plastic jugs but not necessarily un-opened. Milk expands as it freezes and if there is not sufficient headspace in the jug, the expansion is likely to split the plastic. You need at least 1/2" headspace on a wide mouthed container and at least 1 1/2" headspace on a narrow mouthed container such as a milk jug. If there is not sufficient head space on your jugs you will need to remove some of the milk or transfer to suitable freezer containers remembering to allow for the expansion.
You should only freeze milk before the 'Best before' date. It should be used within 1 month of freezing and should be defrosted slowly in the refrigerator, this will take about 24 hours. The defrosted milk should be used within 2-3 days. It is advisable to give the milk a good shake or stir before use. Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk freezes slightly more successfully than whole milk.
Regards,
Gilla

Wow that was a great deal.talk about a cereal killer !

[rimshot/]

This is why many stores set limits. Make sure to store the cereal in something that will keep the bugs and rodents out. Nothing more fun than opening your box of cereal in the morning to find roaches or other small insects mucking about in it. And mind you, bugs can eat through the cardboard and plastic sack containing the cereal. Rodents can eat through plastic containers and even wood.

jesus christ...where do you live that such a thing happens? I would be traumatized if that ever happened to me.