Saving on milk - freezing or powdered?

[Radiance]

I've been researching on how to save on milk. The main two ideas I found was to buy lots of it when on sale and freeze it, they claim it freezes well.
Problem is my freezer is tiny. And freezers ar expensive.

The other idea is powdered milk. Have you tried it?

I know there is a discussion as to whether kids reallly need milk, I chose to give milk to my kid, so I am looking for ways to save on it.

I am lactose intolerant, so no milk for me

[disneysteve]

I find that powdered milk is fine for cooking, but doesn't taste nearly the same for drinking straight or with cereal, but that may be more of a personal preference issue.

Milk does freeze well, but as you point out, you need to have the freezer space. I'm a firm believer in having a large freezer. Although it costs money upfront, it can save you so much over time by allowing you to buy and cook in bulk. I think you can make up the cost in a reasonable period of time through what you save on groceries.

[PrincessPerky]

Try one way and see if the kid will drink it

I wont do either (thawed milk doesn't taste the same) because I don't like the taste. Though I do bake with powdered sometimes. Though the fat that has been removed effects the end taste I don't tend to mind much, not like I am going for a blue ribbon on my foods.

Also I think your kid is rather young? your Dr might recommend you go with freezing, because your kid might need the fat.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Also I think your kid is rather young? your Dr might recommend you go with freezing, because your kid might need the fat.

Hadn't thought of that. Yes, children under 2 should use whole milk. After 2, fat-free is better for everyone.

[Goldy1]

Frozen milk just doesn't sound good to me. More power to you, but ot for me. I noticed milk went up to over $3 a gallon half a year or so ago, and now I find gallons for under $2, often $1.50.

I like soy milk for its light taste and that runs me over $2 a half gallon, but it's not a huge expense. I don't mind paying for food as long as I eat it. I hate tossing it.

I buy too many bread products that get wasted ie hamburger buns. Those freeze ok but nothing, I mean nothing, even meat, is as good frozen as fresh.

[Staceyy]

I buy whole milk and mix it with half water at the time of use. This will taste like 2% milk. It will give you half the carbs, half the calories and half the price. Be aware it will also give you half the calcium and other nutrients also. This works well in baking, pancakes, waffles, puddings etc.

[cptacek]

You could can it:
Canning Milk

I think you would have to get a pressure canner, instead of boiling them. If you just boiled it, it says the milk will turn brown and carmelize.

From all of your frugal questions and your desire for high quality food, I think you should learn how to can. You can make everything from scratch, not take up too much space in your freezer or refrigerator, and in the long run, I think the pressure canner would pay for itself.

[SnoopyCool]

I LOVE canning and have saved a lot of $$ on preserving food that way.

I have frozen milk and thawed it before. I really haven't noticed a difference, except that you have to shake the milk before you drink it b/c it separates when frozen.

[Radiance]

Wow, I have a lot of homework now!

[momto8kiddos]

Originally Posted by Staceyy

I buy whole milk and mix it with half water at the time of use. This will taste like 2% milk. It will give you half the carbs, half the calories and half the price. Be aware it will also give you half the calcium and other nutrients also.

And, don't forget, half the nutrients.

If the taste for drinking is objectionable, try easing into it. First, mix reg. milk with reconstituted 3:1. After a few weeks, make it 2:1. After another few weeks try 1:1. And so on. Once you start to notice the difference you can either go backward one step or see if you can get used to it.

If you want to really save a lot of money you're going to have to really work at it! Don't pre-judge the beverage until you're used to it!

Laurie

[MTLaura]

Originally Posted by cptacek

You could can it:
I think you would have to get a pressure canner, instead of boiling them. If you just boiled it, it says the milk will turn brown and carmelize.

If carmelizing is turning brown, that's what mine did in the hot water bath. However, it didn't taste like it was carmelized. It still tasted like milk. I was going to can my milk this year, but there were only 2 canners at Kings and not on sale. Since the hubby had an accident while driving his miniature horse (got BAD road rash, a broken right shoulderblade and pelvis girdle), I slowed the 4 girls down to once a day milking and then gave 2 to a lady with an orphaned foal. I froze some of my milk for my goat milk soaps that I'm making for Christmas.

Next year I will be milking 6 goats. Several of my gals can give 2 gals a day! I recently found out it is LEGAL to sell RAW milk and plan on doing that. If I don't get enough customers, then I want to can my milk. I have a cool well house that already has shelves in it so I can store them in that. I think a canner would be the way to go. Less water is used and less time to do the actual canning portion.

Anyone have a favorite brand they are really happy with? I start kidding in Feb so have a couple months to get one.
IDLaura

[MTLaura]

Originally Posted by SnoopyCool

I LOVE canning and have saved a lot of $$ on preserving food that way.
I have frozen milk and thawed it before. I really haven't noticed a difference, except that you have to shake the milk before you drink it b/c it separates when frozen.

I have served frozen milk that I thawed in the fridge to people. They couldn't tell if it had been frozen or not. But then my milk is RAW milk and I don't separate the cream out as that is far too much work. Goat milk naturally does not separate unless it's old and going sour. Long before I got my goats, I did buy milk and froze it as the store was 120 miles away and we were paid once a month. My daughter and I never had a problem with how the milk tasted. It froze well and I thawed it in either the fridge or in the sink in cold water.

When growing up, my mother used to put powdered instant milk in our milk to make it stretch further. You couldn't get me to drink that stuff now if my life depended on it
IDLaura