I got pork chops out of our freezer last night and put them in the sink to thaw out. (Our refrigerater is so cold nothing will thaw in there.) So, I remember this afternoon that they are still in the sink. Are they still okay to cook and eat or should we throw them out?????
2006-08-22 05:27:23 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
I know enough to turn the temp down on my refrigerater.....however, if i turn it down any further, it will be off.
2006-08-22 10:17:04 · update #1
No---don't eat them. They've been at room temperature long enough for a lot of bacterial growth. Not safe.
2006-08-22 05:35:59 · answer #1 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes about 4 hours for colonies of bacteria to start forming and after that they begin to multiply like crazy. If your pork chops have been out of refrigeration for more than 4 hours, they should be thrown out.
If your refrigerator is too cold, as someone suggested, turn the thermostat up a bit. You might want to get a refrigerator thermometer. You should maintain a temerature between 36 and 40 degrees. If you keep your refrigerator at this temperature, any frozen food will thaw, but it may take several hours to a coupld of days depending on the size and the temperature of your refrigerator.
The key is to keep cold food below 40 degrees and warm food above 140 degrees. The 40 to 140 degree window is where bacteria tends to like to grow.
If you want to thaw frozen food more quickly, place it in a pan in your sink and slowly run cold water from your tap into the pan. By doing this, you will help the item thaw and keep the temperature below 40 degrees.
2006-08-22 12:53:18 · answer #2 · answered by Nihl_of_Brae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thawing meat out at room temperature is very risky business. I would throw them out. In the future maybe you can adjust your temperature on the refrigerator and save some energy t the same time. You can also let it thaw just a little for a short period of time and then put in fridge for the rest. You can also use a very low temp on microwave and thaw out.
2006-08-22 12:40:14 · answer #3 · answered by jazz2u57 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not risk it. They should be kept chilled. If meat won't thaw in your refrigerator, turn it down. On the "energy efficiency" setting, I find that pork chops will thaw pretty well in 18 hours or so.
2006-08-22 12:34:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be safe get rid.Also if your refrigerator is too cold this can be as harmful as having no refrigerator at all.Food must be stored at the correct temperature .
2006-08-22 12:38:15 · answer #5 · answered by angelo26 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has only been 24 hours that they have been out. Then they are fine. I raised pigs my whole life. I know everything there is to know about them and their meat
2006-08-22 12:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by 2341 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋