23
1.
Check foods during defrosting. Foods vary in their defrosting speed.
2.
It is not necessary to cover the food.
3.
Always turn or stir the food especially when the oven “beepsʼʼ.
Shield if necessary (see point 5).
4.
Minced meat/chops/chicken portions should be broken up or separated as soon as possible
and placed in a single layer.
5.
Shielding prevents food cooking. It is essential when defrosting chickens and joints of meat.
The outside thaws out first, so protect wings/breast/fat with smooth pieces of aluminium foil
secured with cocktail sticks (see page 21).
6.
Allow standing time so that the centre of the food thaws out.
(minimum 1 hour for joints of meat and whole chickens).
Turn dense foods and meat 2/3 times
during defrosting.
TIPS
Break up small items e.g. minced meat,
frequently during defrosting.
Defrosting guidelines