How to freeze & defrost food safely
Best practices for freezing & defrosting food
At Go Assist, we understand the importance of keeping your household running smoothly, and a significant part of that involves proper food storage. Freezing food is a fantastic way to preserve its freshness and nutritional value. However, it's crucial to freeze and defrost food safely to avoid foodborne illnesses.
In this blog, our experts will guide you through the best practices for freezing and defrosting food.
Freezing food safely
1. Use appropriate containers
Choose airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
2. Label everything
Label your containers with the name of the food and the date you froze it. This helps you keep track of how long items have been in the freezer.
3. Cool before freezing
Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before freezing. Placing hot food directly in the freezer can raise the temperature inside, potentially leading to partial thawing and refreezing of other items.
4. Portion control
Our experts recommend freezing food in meal-sized portions. This makes defrosting easier and reduces waste.
5. Avoid freezing certain foods
Some foods do not freeze well, such as high-water content vegetables (lettuce and cucumber), fried foods, and dairy products (like milk and cream, which can separate)
Defrosting food safely
1. In the refrigerator
The safest way to defrost food is to plan ahead and place it in the refrigerator. This method keeps the food at a safe, consistent temperature.
2. Cold water method
For quicker defrosting, place the food in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Our experts recommend changing the water every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold.
3. Microwave defrosting
Use the defrost setting on your microwave if you need to thaw food quickly. Be sure to cook it immediately after defrosting, as some areas of the food may begin to cook during this process.
4. Cook without defrosting
You can cook frozen foods directly without thawing, although this may take approximately 50% longer than the usual cooking time.
5. Avoid room temperature defrosting
If you can, try to avoid defrosting food at room temperature as this can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly, which increases the risk of food poisoning.
Freezing and defrosting food safely is essential for maintaining food quality and preventing illness. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your meals are as delicious and safe as possible. At Go Assist, we’re here to help with all your home repair needs, including ensuring your fridge freezer is in top condition.
If you encounter any issues with your fridge freezer, don’t hesitate to book a repair and our engineers will get it fixed promptly and professionally.
