Which method of thawing is better?

Question

I like to wash after buying meat and then put it in the freezer. When i want to cook, i just leave it in the cooler and then cook. My mother in law doesn't do like that. after buying fish and meat, she just throws them in the freezer, when she cooks, she just let it thaw in the water and then cook. I feel that sometimes, the meat can still be frozen somewhere in the middle and can't wash properly. I like to wash it first and then when i am about to cook, just thaw it for a while and if it is still somewhat frozen, if i want to boil it or put it in the oven, then i can easily just throw in the boiling water or oven. what do you think? which method is good and which method do you use? Why?
Btw, i am not sure if they clean the meat in the USA even though i am from there. Here in Taiwan, the meat are not cleaned with water. Furthermore, they sell meat just outside at the air temperature. Not in the cooler. There are some supermarkets selling meats in the cooler but regular market doesn't

i know we can't wash the middle of the meat. but sometimes, the meat for example the pork has two separate parts attached by the fat. In this case, there are some dirt in the middle of that fat and meat between. and can't wash it after frozen. I mean it. i don't mean washing the meat inside the layer. :) sorry, i make you confused. I have seen it all the time, some dirts sticking there when my mother in law thaws the meat and i have to cook. i only like to buy meat when i am about to cook. i don't like to keep them in the freezer and then defroze it and cook since she is doing different ways.
the other day, i bought lamb bones that we cook as soup. i like to wash it first and then keep them in the freezer, in this way, when i am about to cook, i just have to put them in the pot and boil it. I don't have to wash it again or thaw it again to wash it off since there is some meat and some dirt and blood on the bones. but she just thew them in the freezer.

when i want to cook, i have to again let it soak in the water to wash. this is somewhat more work then washing it off as soon as we buy from the market i think. do you agree?

i didn't do any thumb down. i only give thumb up to those who i chose the best answer afterward. in this way, he/she can get extra point. i am not judging anyone. i am from NY and came here just because my husband and his family live here. i am not trying to be a poser. After i give birth my daughter, i will go back to NY. just that it's difficult to deal with different culture sometimes somehow. that's all. I am just trying to find out if her way is the way many people try to use or not! if not, i have to accept, even if yes, i still have to accept it since i live with them. so, pls do not think i am giving the answers thumb down or up. if i have already given thumb up or down, i can't give you another rating after choosing the best answer. therefore, i try not to do it to anyone!i still can give you thumb up but not for now yet. i have to decide which one is the best!

Answer 1

The best method of thawing meat is in the refrigerator or under cold water. Poultry on the other hand is already sold with salmonella on it this cant be avoided until it is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. As far as thawing do not wash it first and then freeze because the water will just allow for freezer burning which will ruin your food. Be careful there is alot of bacterias and viruses that could be fatal. Food safety and sanitation is very important to keep you safe. Wait to thaw in fridge or under water. At least thawing under water you can wash it and then cook it.

Answer 2

Here in the US there is no need to wash our meat before freezing it as our standards of "handling" are of higher quality. Our meats are inspected and they are washed down in the butcher house. Where you lIve and your open markets {which ive been to and personally couldn't consume meat bought at one} its out in the open from slaughter to open air market {for god only knows how long} to your home. So all that time it is growing bacteria. I guess if your mother in law was raised over there the way she cooks is the "traditional" way as opposed to how you do it. Here in the US I shop, bring it home, and if I buy in large quantities I separate and freezer vac it otherwise it just goes into my freezer. If I lived where you do, I'd be paranoid of fly crap and other bacteria and frankly hundreds of ppl touch your meat before it ever touches your mouth. The thought grosses me out {even though slaughter houses aren't clean they are regulated and inspected by the FDA} and I give you credit for even being able to consume the meat in your country,Japan, Korea, China and so forth I'd be a vegan!

Furthermore you can NEVER wash the middle of meat all you can get is the outside layers.

**I just read your edit. I agree that washing off the dirt under the fat layers or the blood from your lamb bones is less work to do it when you first get it home instead of freezing, defrosting, washing, cooking. But again she was raised a certain way and I am not saying her way is wrong or yours is right. Do what you feel is best for you I personally would remove the dirt prior to freezing. However if you wash now or later it doesnt matter same time overall will be involved. And by the way ty for the thumbs down I know you are not from the US just by the way you typed so dont be a poser..K

Answer 3

you can not wash the middle of the meat in any circumstance before you freeze the meat or after wards (meat being frozen in the middle when you wash it after it is frozen).Defrosting meat in boiling water kills the bacteria on the outside of the meat. BUT-it also takes many of the vitamins away. People develop immunities to dirt and bacteria. Cooking meat thoroughly kills any type of parasite that water washes off. I would worry about the nasty stuff that can not be removed from meat by washing it with plain water.

Answer 4

Wow, you learn something new every day, I never knew that about Taiwan. It sounds like washing it first is probably your best option, here in the USA I just toss my meat in the freezer after I repackage it from the store, I don't wash it off, but like you said it is kept in the cooler here. I would stick with what your doing, I am sure your mother in law is set in her ways and that she hasn't poisoned anyone yet so I am sure that is OK too. Your way sounds like it gets the meat cleaner.