Defrosting in Microwave

Graham_S_4

stick them into the microwave on defrost - the worst that will happen is they cook a bit.

as everyone else has said - stick them on from frozen - if you are eating them and it is a bit icy in the middle they need a few more minutes- won't do you any harm though

Cheers

G

al_yrpal

6 frozen bangers - 3 minutes at high power is just right, then straight under the grill. Defrost is for wimps!

Patr100

Does anyone actually know why the packet on most meat and sausages always says "Defrost thoroughly before use" - I assume to prevent food poisoning but how ?
Surely defrosting only gives bugs more time to reproduce?

al_yrpal

Patr100 wrote:

Does anyone actually know why the packet on most meat and sausages always says "Defrost thoroughly before use" - I assume to prevent food poisoning but how ?
Surely defrosting only gives bugs more time to reproduce?

Just think about the nanny state and you'll be getting close!

What they are worried about is say salmonella on chicken - you cook it, the outside cooks but... the area that wasnt properly defrosted is not brought up to 70 degrees and then you are eating salmonella from within that area = food poisoning.

taurusgb

Am determined to spend no money today, been looking in freezer for ideas for dinner and I've got a tub of HM left over chili. I thought I could make some pastry and make pies with the chili, but I don' t think it will defrost in time left to itself. I've never used the defrost option on my microwave, does it heat the food? because if it does then since the chili is already cooked, by the time I've made it into pies that will be 3 cookings (if you see what I mean?) don't want to poison us all, so could some one who knows the microwave ropes please tell me if it will be safe to defrost the chili and then make it into pies?

Thanks

PS: keep wanting to add a smilie to my posts but don't know how!

MATH

To stop the outsides becoming cooked while the inside stays frozen nuke on defrost for 5 mins or so and then break into smaller lumps using a robusrt knife or spoon. Nuke again and keep checking and breaking up until defrosted.

Easier than pies to use up chilli I par boil for 3 mins some pots cut into one inch cubes. Toss through with a tbsp of oil, some chopped herbs and some chilli powder to taste. Tip on top of defrosted chilli mix and bake until hot through and the top is golden. HTH

Queenie

Does your microwave have a "Defrost" setting? If so, that makes the defrosting part easier to describe :laugh:

Defrosting in the microwave will not "cook" the food because it's only using a % of the power - but, "defrost" for too long and it will definately reheat the food in places!!!

Yes, you can use your microwave to defrost your chilli and make it into pies

If you put it in a microwave safe container, use the defrost setting for about one and half minutes - stir, then let it rest for a minute (resting inbetween bursts of defrost is very important to avoid hotspots!) - give it another 1 1/2 minuts. Stir and rest again. After it's defrosted, use in your pie.

Adding a smilie to a post:-
sra's Unoffficial Guide: Look under Smilies

HTH

Pink.

Hi taurusgb,

I try not to use the microwave for defrosting unless I have to because the way mine seems to work is to give the food a quick blast on high, then a long pause, then another quick blast etc etc and I find it sometimes does make the outside edge of whatever I'm defrosting slightly warm. But that might just be my microwave. :rolleyes:

If I do have to use it in an emergency, I defrost for say five minutes then leave it for ten minutes before giving it another five minutes on defrost. The safest option is to try to let the chilli defrost on its own as much as possible and if it's not completely defrosted finish it off in the microwave just before you are ready to make the pies.

To find out how to put smilies into your post have a look at sra's Unofficial A-Z. Scroll down to 'S' and click on Smilies. If you have any difficulties, send me a pm and I'll help if I can.


Pink

taurusgb

Thannk you so much for your help all.....greatly appreciated!

alanalea

I'm a bit stuck Sorry if its a dumb question.

I live in the middle of nowhere, can't get to a shop (went this morning and completely forgot) and need milk for my daughters bottle. I've got a frozen 4pint full fat- can it be defrosted in the microwave on defrost or will it not go 'right'?

I normally defrost in cold water but it takes quite a few hours.

Lea x