Defrosting Frozen Meat - Page 1

Hi Bok, if this is for feeding the dog do NOT defrost in a microwave!!! Microwaves often have "hot spots" and you don't want to chance cooking the bones. Bones should only be fed raw.

I usually take my dog's meal out of the freezer in the morning and just let it thaw on the counter. Dogs are different than us, so I'm not so worried about stuff like that. Wolves will eat carcases that have been sitting for long periods in the sun.

If the meat is almost defrosted by the time I want to feed I just give it to the dog. He doesn't mind eating stuff partially frozen. If it's not thawed enough, I run in under the tap for a bit.

I hope it's ok to place this somewhat related question within your thread.   How about freezer burn?    At least 2 deer are taken off my property each season. This year I have a few packages of deer and beef from last year that have been frozen so long that I wont eat it.     Even if it has freezer burn, is it still safe to feed it to a dog as part of his RAW diet?
 

Absolutely!! Freezer burn does not dimish the nutrients in the meat. My guy eats it the same as every other meat. I have never had a problem, nor has anyone that I know who feeds raw.

I get lots of free meat from friends when they're cleaning out their freezers. It certainly helps to keep costs down.

Sometimes I defrost meat by putting it in a large bowl filled with water and leave it out.

Defrosting for dog or you?

If for dog: no microwave (well, that could go for you too, as microwaves zap lots of good in it). A day before you plan on feeding it to the dog, leave it out on the counter for a few hours, say in the morning. Then, in the early afternoon, put it in the fridge (lowest shelf that should be the warmest). It'll thaw out by the morning.

Don't defrost much more than a few feedings. I keep it separated in snap seal baggies. Say 3 or 4 drumsticks per bag and I just use that bag for that day while the rest of the baggies are stil frozen. No need to thaw out MUCh more than 2 or 3 feedings and freezing and thawing then freezing again is a no-no as well.

You'll find a system that works for you, I am sure.

 London
  Thanks, that's great news. I will also start collecting my friends freezer burn neat.

We give meat-cicles to our dogs in the summer in Houston......the dogs love um.

I have a large plastic tub with a lid. I put about 6 chickens in at a time and let them defrost.(I feed 3-4 dogs) Usually overnight or morning until evening. About 8-10 hours or so is usually good. Sometimes if I forget to take the meat out I will defrost in water.

No to microwave!!

Yes to freezer burned meat! My dogs don't seem to think there is any difference. I fill a freezer of deer/elk trim from the butcher during hunting season. Sometimes I have left over from the year before and it gets some frost on it. I try to feed the older before the new stuff.

In the fridge, plan a couple days in advance. I usually have five days worth in the bottom drawers at any one time.    If you forget and need to speed things up, keep the meat packaged and run cool tap water over it after placing in a bowl, fill with water.  Or go ahead and leave it out for a couple hours, just make sure it doesn't drain and make a mess all over.