Defrosting items using the microwave.

[SideWinder]

Situation: Pie in the freezer (Ginsters steak). I was about to whack it in the oven when i noticed the box said it needed to be defrosted for 24 hours before hand. I decided to use the auto-defrost function on my microwave for 'meat items' (3mins) and it looks okay..not too cold anymore.

How safe is it to defrost things in the microwave? Do you do it a lot or do you prefer to defrost the items correctly in the fridge or leave it out on the work surface?

 

[M0T]

I think the issue with defrosting in the microwave is that you will get parts that don't defrost at the same rate. So the outside might be defrosted whilst the centre is still frozen, so you end up with improperly cooked food when you are done.

That said I just whack it in the microwave anyway and you can always cook it longer if you stick your fork in and its not warm enough.

 

[Scuzi]

Just nuke it until it is hot throughout. It'll be grand.

 

[Gaygle]

Very safe indeed. Super safe. Epically safe.

 

[Carzy]

Situation: Pie in the freezer (Ginsters steak). I was about to whack it in the oven when i noticed the box said it needed to be defrosted for 24 hours before hand. I decided to use the auto-defrost function on my microwave for 'meat items' (3mins) and it looks okay..not too cold anymore.

How safe is it to defrost things in the microwave? Do you do it a lot or do you prefer to defrost the items correctly in the fridge or leave it out on the work surface?

It's fine. You just have to be a bit careful if you are defrosting actual items of meat, because they can actually cook on the edges while in the microwave, which = POISON.

TBH though, a pie should be fine if you just whack in the oven from frozen...just add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

 

[Going to Cali]

It's fine. You just have to be a bit careful if you are defrosting actual items of meat, because they can actually cook on the edges while in the microwave, which = POISON.

TBH though, a pie should be fine if you just whack in the oven from frozen...just add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Happens all the time when I defrost chicken, what's the problem?

 

[jcb33]

TBH I dont defrost most things, sausage, pie etc I just wack it in the oven and make sure its correctly cooked, from what I can gather it seems to just be a case of "If your a moron defrost this first so you dont blame us when your throwing up" if your not then just cook it longer.

 

[Berserker]

Happens all the time when I defrost chicken, what's the problem?

If you cook it straight away afterwards there shouldn't be one, but...

As said above, the issue is uneven defrosting. Leaving the item for a few minutes after defrosting may help even things out a little. As long as you ensure the end result is thoroughly cooked through then you should be fine.

The other problem I'd point out is that microwaves + pastry = bad. Tends to make the pastry go soggy. Oven afterwards should help with that though.

 

[SideWinder]

Just to let everyone know, Ginsters pies, OMG. All gone.

 

[Berserker]

After that, you are of course clearly going to die.

 

[33L]

if i need it defrosting - i whack it in the microwave on meat defrost - leave it for 10-20 mins then go back to it! if its still hard inside i.e frozen then back in the microwave to get it a bit more even and then leave to stand again for awhile.

things like pizzas i just stick in thte oven straight and a little lower heat than recommenmded but longer

 

[pendulum666]

if i need it defrosting - i whack it in the microwave on meat defrost - leave it for 10-20 mins then go back to it! if its still hard inside i.e frozen then back in the microwave to get it a bit more even and then leave to stand again for awhile.

things like pizzas i just stick in thte oven straight and a little lower heat than recommenmded but longer

Yeah I do the same. If in doubt, make sure whenyou put your finger inthe middle it hurts.

 

[Raymond Lin]

If it's a piece of meat then wack it in a big bowl of cold water for about 30 mins, changing the water every 10 mins or so (or run it under a constant tap), it'll defrost and it won't be cooked...obviously

 

[Deleted member 651465]

If it's meat (i.e Chicken) I usually leave it on the work surface to defrost.

Can't say I've ever tried the water method ^

 

[Raymond Lin]

Can't say I've ever tried the water method ^

My mother has been using that method forever and still does, we don't have a microwave in the house. You'll know when it's defrosted as the meat is soft instead of hard in the center.

 

[Carzy]

My mother has been using that method forever and still does, we don't have a microwave in the house. You'll know when it's defrosted as the meat is soft instead of hard in the center.

If I have time, I always do it the water way.

 

[Jimmeh]

If I have time, I always do it the water way.

Ditto. The missus is a chef and seems to be happy with this method!


We also do not have a microwave.

 

[Stretch]

If I have time, I always do it the water way.

You defrost pies in water? Meat yes, pies no way

 

[Glaucus]

Just leave it out, or defrost in the oven. Much better than using a microwave.
If you defrost/cook in the oven. Just knock the temp down by 10degress and cook for longer.

 

[Munky1080]

Yeah I do the same. If in doubt, make sure whenyou put your finger inthe middle it hurts.

lol - Funny you mention it, that's how I tell if my meat is done when I'm cooking. I stick my finger into the deepest bit of meat and if I can't hold it there for 5-8 seconds or so, it must be done! Never gotten anyone ill yet!