Whats the best way to thaw out a ham in time for dinner?

Question

Its a small ham, a little less than 2 lbs (1.93). I try to have dinner ready by 6pm and its almost 1pm now. I set it out about 1 1/2 hours ago. Do you think it will be thawed out in time to cook it for dinner?

Ok now, your confusing me...hot water, or cold water? every 20 min or 30 min?

Answer 1

In a sink with cold RUNNING water. The running water cause an increase in conduction thawing it quicker and you don't want it sitting in still water bacteria will start growing. According to the health dept. there are only 4 ways to thaw: in the fridge, under cold running water, in the microwave, and cooking it frozen.

Answer 2

I would run it under cool running water. This is a lot safer than letting it sit out on the counter.

Refrigerator Thawing
Planning ahead is the key to this method because of the lengthy time involved. A large frozen item like a turkey requires at least a day (24 hours) for every 5 pounds of weight. Even small amounts of frozen food -- such as a pound of ground meat or boneless chicken breasts -- require a full day to thaw. When thawing foods in the refrigerator, there are several variables to take into account.
Some areas of an appliance may keep the food colder than other areas. Food placed in the coldest part will require longer defrosting time.
Food takes longer to thaw in a refrigerator set at 35 °F than one set at 40 °F.

After thawing in the refrigerator, ground meat and poultry should remain useable for an additional day or two before cooking; red meat, 3 to 5 days. Foods defrosted in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Cold Water Thawing
This method is faster than refrigerator thawing but requires more attention. The food must be in a leak-proof package or plastic bag. If the bag leaks, bacteria from the air or surrounding environment could be introduced into the food. Also, meat tissue can also absorb water like a sponge, resulting in a watery product.

The bag should be submerged in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes so it continues to thaw. Small packages of meat or poultry – about a pound – may defrost in an hour or less. A 3- to 4-pound package may take 2 to 3 hours. For whole turkeys, estimate about 30 minutes per pound. If thawed completely, the food must be cooked immediately.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

Microwave Thawing
When microwave defrosting food, plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwave defrosting. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed and, indeed, may have reached optimal temperatures for bacteria to grow.

Foods thawed in the microwave should be cooked before refreezing.

Answer 3

Fill your sink with cold water and put the ham in the water. It will thaw out by dinner time.

Answer 4

fill your sink with COLD water and out the ham in it. change the water every 20 minutes. it will thaw in time

Answer 5

Let is rest in luke warn water and change the water out every 30 mins to an hour.

Answer 6

Put it in the sink with cold water and that will help thaw it quickly.

Answer 7

No. Put it in the sink with hot water and change it as it cools. It should be done in plenty of time that way.