Defrosting food - meat in particular

[UTH]

Years ago if I forgot to take, say, chicken out of the freezer, I'd think nothing of putting it in a plastic bag in a bowl of warm water to defrost it quickly.

Since those days I have read how bad an idea that is, and actually the only way you should defrost is in the fridge overnight.

Are there safe ways to do it any quicker? (I don't own a microwave)

For example, I've got a nice steak in the freezer, if I wanted it this evening can I take it out now and leave to thaw? Or is that also not a great idea and I've really missed the boat and should plan to have it tomorrow and put it in the fridge now?

[Defcon5]

I leave meat out in the sun to defrost

[Bacon Is Proof]

Never understood buying fresh meat and then freezing it.
Just buy less.

[UTH]

Bacon Is Proof said:

Never understood buying fresh meat and then freezing it.
Just buy less.

Well, in this particular case my Dad brought back some lovely steaks from Cornwall, and I didn't even have a kitchen, so freezing was my only option.

Another case, meat suppliers like Donald Russell sell all their stuff frozen, so my freezer is quite full of various packets of BBQ stuff.

[Harpoon]

Bacon Is Proof said:

Never understood buying fresh meat and then freezing it.
Just buy less.

As it reduces trips to the shops?

If I visit our local market on a Saturday, I'll often get more than we need for the week ahead (we plan a menu on a Friday for the forthcoming week) and freeze it. That might be from the fishmonger, butchers, poultry or deli'. Then the next week we have ingredients and I don't need to visit the market.

[bigdom]

We've always split larger packs of protein down into useable sizes for out household, as we main shop every 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes we defrost in the fridge, most of the time, just defrost it sitting on the worktop as often forget to get out the night before, once soft/nearly soft, pop it in the fridge.

Whilst not meat today, I have a large Sea Bream defrosting at this moment. We've never had an issue.

Edited by bigdom on Thursday 17th June 10:59

[Bacon Is Proof]

UTH said:

Bacon Is Proof said:

Never understood buying fresh meat and then freezing it.
Just buy less.

Well, in this particular case my Dad brought back some lovely steaks from Cornwall, and I didn't even have a kitchen, so freezing was my only option.

So if your Dad had bought less meat you wouldn't have this problem.


I think it would be the reduction in quality that would put me off the most.

[UTH]

Bacon Is Proof said:

So if your Dad had bought less meat you wouldn't have this problem.


I think it would be the reduction in quality that would put me off the most.

I mean, I see your logic.....but......

[HTP99]

I either put it in the fridge over night, if I remember, sometimes I defrost in warm water if I've forgotten and need it reasonably soon or if I've forgotten to get it out the night before to put it in the fridge and it's now the morning I just leave it on the side to defrost and either try and remember to remind someone who is home before me, to put it in the fridge later on or it just stays there till I'm home.

I've used all of the above methods all my life and neither me or anyone who's eaten what I've cooked, have become ill.

[UTH]

Cool, it sounds like scaremongering and being dramatic is most likely with all the articles etc about the dangers of defrosting then!

[Comacchio]

Normally defrost on the kitchen counter on a plate covered with cling film. My parent's neighbour lost his wife recently - they seen him defrosting raw frozen chicken on the patio steps, uncovered on a sunny day

[pokethepope]

I sometimes put it in a fan oven with the fan only (no heat) setting. Not sure where this would fall on the "safe" scale though

[APontus]

Comacchio said:

Normally defrost on the kitchen counter on a plate covered with cling film.

This. Not poisoned anyone yet. Mind you, I wasn't trying...

[DodgyGeezer]

I cooked pork-chops straight from the freezer in my younger days

Mince for spagboll generally from frozen still

[Evoluzione]

It's been argued on here before, the guys in the catering trade will tell you it's important as that's what they were taught. I wonder how they really do it in their kitchens, I very much doubt the fridge is full of defrosting chickens to be ready at that exact moment they're needed.

You just learn over the years roughly how long something takes to defrost and act accordingly. The things which still catch me out are the differences in temp from Summer to Winter with how long it takes to defrost. Have often taken stuff out on an evening to find it still partially frozen the next morning. Then it goes into hot water
Once you cook it any bacteria gets killed off.

Can't believe i'm reading that someone doesn't understand what freezers are for and how they work

[Bacon Is Proof]

Evoluzione said:

I wonder how they really do it in their kitchens

Regular deliveries.

[dapprman]

Should be pointed out that postal butchers such as Donald Russell flash freeze their produce, not just freeze - makes a difference.

As to the over night in the fridge - a slow defrost helps retain moisture, and even bring it back in to the meat if you can see ice in the packaging/bag. Quick defrosting, just leaving out in a warm area for a few hours (or using the defrost setting on a microwave) stops the moisture being fully maintained and thus results in dry or dryer meat.

[hotchy]

Bacon Is Proof said:

Never understood buying fresh meat and then freezing it.
Just buy less.

I shop at the cash n carry butcher part, got myself a £100 chunk of beef for £5 last day date on it. Cut into steaks, big juicy thick ones. Sorted for steak for months now. Freezers are great.

[Turn7]

Freezers are great,and vac pack machines make them even greater.....

[Cotty]

Usually overnight but if I need a quick defrost I put it in a plastic bag in a bowl of cold running water does the trick.

Also if you have any cast iron pots or pans turn it over and put it on that, the metal pulls the cold out somehow don't ask me how. I also have one of those defrosting plates that does the same thing https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=163934...