Quick answer
Yes, you can freeze soup in a dish sealed with the Stasher Rectangle 9x13 Stretch Lid, but you must leave headroom for expansion and avoid overstretching the lid. Follow the steps below to prevent leaks and keep the lid intact.
Why freezing soup under a stretch lid is different from freezing it in a bag
Unlike a Stasher bag, which fully encloses the food, a stretch lid sits on top of an open dish. Soup expands when frozen, and if the lid is too tight or the dish is overfilled, the pressure can push the lid off or warp the silicone seal. The lid's job is to create a leak-proof seal, but that seal depends on the dish's rim being clean, dry, and the right size.
Also, the Rectangle 9x13 Stretch Lid is designed for casseroles and rectangular dishes, not specifically for liquid storage. While it can handle soup, you need to be more careful than with a fully enclosed container.
When the stretch lid might not be the best choice for soup
If you plan to stack multiple dishes of soup in the freezer, the stretch lid may not hold up as well as a rigid lid or a sealed bag. The silicone can flex, but heavy stacking could cause the lid to pop off. Also, if your dish has an irregular rim or is slightly larger than 9x13 inches, the lid may not seal properly, and freezing will make that worse.
For long-term freezer storage (over a month), the lid's seal can degrade if the silicone is exposed to extreme cold repeatedly. Consider using a Stasher bag or a rigid freezer container for longer storage.
How to freeze soup safely under the Stasher Rectangle 9x13 Stretch Lid
- Symptom: Lid pops off or leaks after freezing: If the lid doesn't stay sealed or soup leaks out, the most common cause is overfilling the dish or not leaving enough headroom for expansion.
- Likely cause: Soup expands when frozen: Water-based liquids increase in volume by about 9% when frozen. If the dish is filled to the brim, the expanding soup pushes against the lid, breaking the seal.
- Corrective action: Leave 1-2 inches of headroom: Fill your dish only halfway or leave at least 1 to 2 inches of space between the soup surface and the rim. This gives the soup room to expand without pressing on the lid. Also, make sure the dish rim is completely dry before applying the lid to ensure a good seal. If the lid still leaks, your dish may be slightly larger than 9x13 inches, or the rim may be uneven. In that case, switch to a Stasher bag or a rigid container with a locking lid.
- Point to stop or choose another option: If you need to freeze soup for more than a month, or if you plan to stack multiple dishes, use a Stasher bag or a hard-sided freezer container instead. The stretch lid is best for short-term freezing of small batches.
Product facts
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Rectangle 9x13 Stretch Lid: This game-changing reusable 9x13-inch stretch lid cover seamlessly seals around your favorite casserole dish. Lock in freshness and say goodbye to single-use plastic wrap (or foil) forever! The lid is designed for casseroles, which are typically solid or semi-solid. For liquid soup, you'll need to adjust your technique to avoid overstressing the seal.
Rectangle 9x13 Stretch Lid
