Please settle a debate between DH and I

We are having a debate over defrosting meat safely. I insist the safest way is to put it in the fridge and let it defrost in the cold. I will put it on the counter as long as the house is not too hot, but I am not keen on that.

DH always goes to put it in the microwave-now, not defrosting it on the defrost setting, but letting it sit in the microwave for hours with the microwave off.

I think that is not safe. He thinks it is fine.

Thoughts?

Please don't move to Food!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I never put it in the microwave to defrost.. a little on the counter as long as its not too hot and then into the fridge...

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

fridge is best b/c then if you dont use it - you can refreeze it. once i put it on hte counter, if i dont use it i throw it out.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

i have a similar argument with my dh-- i insist that the safest way is to defrost in the fridge; dh insists its safe to defrost out on the counter all day long.

i will 'defrost' in the microwave using the defrost setting if i forget to take something out to actually defrost, but i don't like leaving anything sitting out in the open in an uncontrolled enviroment.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I do it in the fridge in the transition drawer overnight.. but if it's still a little too frozen in the morning I will put it on the counter in the morning and after it gets more defrosted I call to have Rob put it in the fridge (in a tupperware to prevent bleed through if it is in original packaging) until I get home.

I have - in a pinch - left frozen meat out all day on the counter and haven't gotten sick.. yet.

Message edited 2/16/2010 12:04:53 PM.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I do in the refrigerator...if I forget to, I'll put it in cold water and it takes maybe 30 minutes to defrost that way.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

in the fridge!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Posted by scarletbegonia

Posted by rojerono

I do it in the fridge in the transition drawer overnight.. but if it's still a little too frozen in the morning I will put it on the counter in the morning and after it gets more defrosted I call to have Rob put it in the fridge (in a tupperware to prevent bleed through if it is in original packaging) until I get home.

I have - in a pinch - left frozen meat out all day on the counter and haven't gotten sick.. yet.

Ditto - never in the microwave!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

i read somewhere that the safest way is to defrost in the fridge. (bacteria grows a lot faster when its warm) But I actually defrost on the counter, with a plate underneath so nothing drips on the counter.

I never heard of letting it sit in the micro

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

In the fridge if I am at work.
In the sink if I am home and can monitor the progress. Once the meat is almost completely thawed, it goes into the fridge until I use it.
In a pinch, I defrost meat sealed in a plastic bag under running cold water.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Posted by DeniseMarie

i read somewhere that the safest way is to defrost in the fridge. (bacteria grows a lot faster when its warm) But I actually defrost on the counter, with a plate underneath so nothing drips on the counter.

I never heard of letting it sit in the micro

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by DeniseMarie

i read somewhere that the safest way is to defrost in the fridge. (bacteria grows a lot faster when its warm) But I actually defrost on the counter, with a plate underneath so nothing drips on the counter.

I never heard of letting it sit in the micro

This is his invention. I will throw meat in for a few minutes to keep my cat away from it while I grab something, but he thinks it is okay to leave it in there overnight because it is frozen!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Posted by SusiBee

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by DeniseMarie

i read somewhere that the safest way is to defrost in the fridge. (bacteria grows a lot faster when its warm) But I actually defrost on the counter, with a plate underneath so nothing drips on the counter.

I never heard of letting it sit in the micro

This is his invention. I will throw meat in for a few minutes to keep my cat away from it while I grab something, but he thinks it is okay to leave it in there overnight because it is frozen!

What's the difference between the microwave and the counter ? Just because the micro is closed ?

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Hee hee, argument doesn't fly if the meat is still wrapped so no air can get to it.
DH loses this argument. We've all supported YOUR way.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

YAY! He thinks I tilted the argument so I would win. I told him he is dumb!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I leave it out on the counter to defrost.

I don't have a problem with that at all.

the fridge takes way to long and I don't have that kind of patience.

I don't own a microwave so that is a moot point.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Posted by Ophelia

I leave it out on the counter to defrost.

I don't have a problem with that at all.

the fridge takes way to long and I don't have that kind of patience.

I don't own a microwave so that is a moot point.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Alton Brown says FRIDGE FIRST!!!!

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

If I defrost in the fridge, I have to take it out of the freezer 2 days before I want to use it. And usually I don't think 2 days in advance! Generally I will put it in the sink and let it defrost there.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

Fridge and if still frozen in water.

Never on the counter.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I let it defrost on the counter

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

If I take it out the night before or early that morning, I will leave it in the fridge. Once I get home from work, it is usually still pretty frozen, so I will leave it on the counter (It's always in a freezer bag, so there's no leakage). If it can't get defrosted quick enough, or it's last minute, I will use the defrost setting on the microwave, but I hate doing that. I have never heard of letting it sit in the microwave, but I don't know how that's any different than leaving it on the counter.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I defrost on the counter.

Re: Please settle a debate between DH and I

I defrost on the counter until its completely defrosted but then throw it right back in the fridge (still cold) until Im ready to cook it.

If Im not going to be home the entire day then I just leave it in the fridge the night before.