Can i put frozen meat in a slowcooker?

Beki

I think i probably know that the answer to this will be no but i thought i'd ask those much more experienced than myself!

I've got looooads of pork on the freezer (joints and chops mainly), and they take so long to defrost, i was wondering whether i can put them in the slowcooker without defrosting first? :cool:

Pink.

Personally I wouldn't, especially with a joint, because the dish will take a lot longer to heat up to cooking temperature in the slow cooker so the meat will be at the optimum temperature for bacteria to multiply for much longer.

Pink

ariarnia

I've put chunks of meat in the slowcooker direct from the freezer before, made sure it's on low, and once it was defrosted made sure the slow cooker went on high for about 2 hours afterwards - you def need enough liquid to cover the meat or the heat doesn't conduct well.

I don't know how safe it is, but I've never had any upsets that I know of from it.

Don't know if it's as good an idea with things with bones in mind you.

Beki

ah well, it was worth an ask

thanks guys - much appreciated xx

Janae

Hi Beki
I don't know if this will help but somewhere out there in the world of catalogues is a defrosting tray that is supposed to speed up defrosting times. I don't know how it works or if it works but it might be worth a look at. I think it was in the Kleeneze catalogue but not entirely sure.

kj

LotusFlower_3

I defrost meat quickly in cold water, do you think it's risky to do that?

geordie_joe

Pink-winged wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't, especially with a joint, because the dish will take a lot longer to heat up to cooking temperature in the slow cooker so the meat will be at the optimum temperature for bacteria to multiply for much longer.
Pink

A couple of questions

1. Does the freezer not kill bacteria?

2. Will the SC not reach a temperature that kills the bacteria?

geordie_joe

LotusFlower wrote: »

I defrost meat quickly in cold water, do you think it's risky to do that?

I doubt it, my parents did it for decades. In fact it used to be recommended on the packaging for frozen chickens.

Churchmouse

geordie_joe wrote: »

A couple of questions

1. Does the freezer not kill bacteria?

2. Will the SC not reach a temperature that kills the bacteria?

1. No a freezer does not kill bacteria, it merely stops the growth ( multiplying) of the bacteria.

2 Yes the SC should eventually reach a high enough temperature to destroy the bacteria. However the toxins which some bacteria produce will not be destroyed and can make you extremely sick. If the bacteria have had a long spell during which they could happily multiply then enormous quantities of toxins will result. Frozen meat in a SC will be at optimum temperatures for bacteria for a long while.

I'm no hostage to the food police, but even I would NEVER put frozen meat ( especially something like a joint) into a SC. I have frequently defrosted meat in cold water, taught many a turkey to swim in my bath :rotfl:

yummyhoney

geordie_joe wrote: »

I doubt it, my parents did it for decades. In fact it used to be recommended on the packaging for frozen chickens.

ya we used to do it years ago too,,and used to do it in work also,,but health and safety stopeed us doing it,,so has to be left out night before.i dont know why tho:rolleyes:

pigpen

I do.. but they are usually covered with some sauce or other, not always though.. It is not the advised route but needs must and my frozen lump of cow went in Thursday.. and I do it at least 2-3 times a week and noone's dead yet.