Freezing in glass jars?

[Pennsylvanian]

Does anyone use mason jars for freezing? Plastic freezer bags are fine but they don't always stack well and sometimes slide out of the freezer unexpectedly and threaten feet/toes! I also use the plastic deli type containers and they are great but waste space because they are round. Mason jars seem like a good solution and can be reused infinitely. Plus they make efficient use of space, are transparent and come in multiple sizes. Does anyone freeze in jars? Any problems with breakage? That's really my main concern.

[Rezdent]

I do this with some things.
Breakage can be a concern.
I leave plenty of space for expansion and don't put the lids on until after they have frozen.
It does take more room than bags and if one falls out it breaks - which is worse than the bags.

[APowers]

I used to keep a straight-sided mason jar in the freezer with water in it (half full or less), because I like my drinks ice-cold. 'Til it cracked. No more. I'm positive the ice did it, and I can't find that size mason jar anywhere (for cheap, anyway), so I'm treasuring the few I have left.

[Maya]

I use spaghetti sauce jars and freeze mostly chicken broth in them. I leave space at the top for expansion as mentioned and have a deep freeze so they don't fall out. Have had a couple crack due to expansion or changes in temperature but nothing that will make me stop using them yet.

[GizmoTX]

I freeze food stored in plastic bags flat & then use an inexpensive plastic bin to "file" them upright in it in the freezer.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10008430&N=&Ntt=plastic+basket

[geekette]

Straight sided mason jars (all the way to the top) are ok for freezing but they can still crack if they're knocked together too much.

I'll use other jars, but keep the liquid well below where they start to decrease in size.

[Daisy]

I freeze in glass - Pyrex glass.

No warping or cracking. They are made for freezing and can go in the oven. So you can store something and warm in oven (or microwave) and eat right out of the same container, saving time on cleaning a bunch of dishes. It's the lazy person's ultimate storage container.

Best. Thing. Ever.

[MayDay]

I freeze a ton of stuff in glass jars. 

Wide mouth pint and regular 1/2 pint jelly canning jars are freezer safe.  However thermal shock will crack them- so don't run your jar under hot water straight out of the freezer.  Put in in cool water for a minute, then hot is ok.  Microwave is ok to thaw, too. 

I freeze the bulk of my stuff in canning jars since I have tons.  You can freeze in quart jars, but only fill them up about 2/3rds, along the straight part of the walls, not where it narrows at the top. 

Regular old jars are ok to freeze too, again with only filling up to the straight part. 

Yes they will break occasionally, but if you follow the above it is rare.  I love how well the wide mouth pints stack, and they are perfect for a single lunch serving of soup/stew.  You can microwave in the jar then eat straight from it,

[TerriM]

I'm not a fan of plastic, but there are some inexpensive plastic containers for freezing.  They stack, and they don't crack when dropped.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BOBWVG/

http://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Plastics-Freezer-Storage-Container/dp/B0036VO59M/

[HP]

As long as you leave headspace, theoretically it should be fine. I have experienced some breaking (twice, both the straight-sided wide mouth pint and a half jars), but it doesn't tend to make a big mess when it's frozen, at least. My jars are all from the thrift store for 20 cents apiece, so not a great loss. Thrift store may also be a great place to find square plastic containers for cheap. It's hit and miss if you just go looking one time, but we have a list to refer to and go there to browse through everything once or twice a month, which is pretty reflective of the store's turnover rate. (It's walking distance and we do not experience compulsion to buy unnecessary items that we will have to tote home, so it isn't a big deal for us.)