Defrosting!

[Scarlett]

I defrosted my fridge freezer last night and took the food out at about 10pm ish. It has therefore been sitting in the sink for 12 hours. Is it safe to cook any of it- there is some chicken and fish but mostly vegetarian stuff. I would hate to have to throw it all out. Can you cook defrosted stuff that is normally sold frozen? Thanks.

[B00]

I have done-often, and not suffered any ill effects.



twitch

[Ethel]

As long as the meat and fish looks, smells and feels ok it will be fine to cook. The veg will be no problem.

It will be perfectly ok to freeze anything you have cooked since it defrosted - in a casserole or bolognese, for example. You can not re-freeze in the same state as it was previously frozen.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi Scarlett :o)

So long as it has been kept cooled and not allowed to get warm.
Make sure it is piping hot all the way through and remember the cooking time will be less than normal as it isn't being cooked from frozen so will be quicker :o)

[I.Don No]

in order to avoid the problems, next time you want to defrost it, the night before put some of those freeze blocks in the freezer. In the morning or whenever you are ready put a couple of the blocks in the bottom of a coolbag or box and put some of the frozen food in the bag, put on the rest of the blocks and then the rest of the food. Put a washing up bowl full of boiling water in the freezer and leave for about 30 minutes. The ice should then be very easy to knock off. Thoroughly dry the inside of the freezer and then close the door and switch it back on again. When the indicator light shows that the freezer has reached the proper temperature simply put the frozen food back into it.

When I do this (I do it about twice a year) the whole job from start to finish takes 2 - 2 1/2 hours so all the food in the cooler bag is safe,

hope this helps!

[Scarlett]

Thanks for your helps!!
I am defrosting it in order to have it taken away and a new one put in tomorrow, so sadly can't turn it back on! I have thrown out quite a lot of the food but it had scarily old sell by dates on it anyway..!