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Defrosting by Microwave
Follow these tips for best results:
1.Meat
Place meats on a rack, trivet or upturned saucer in
a shallow dish. This enables the water to drain
from the food and defrost correctly; if the food sits
in the liquid it is likely to begin to cook and a
poached effect is created.
2.Foods in Foil
Transfer foods packaged in aluminium foil
containers into suitable microwaveable dishes
before defrosting.
3.Arranging
Arrange the food evenly and in a shallow layer on
the rack or plate. Do not pile foods up as this will
prevent the food at the bottom from defrosting in
the same time as the food on the top.
4.Uneven Shapes
Always arrange thick areas of the food to the
outside of the dish, and thinner areas to the
centre. this is particularly important for chops and
chicken portions. Where possible, arrange two
uneven shaped pieces of food in a dish with the
thick area of one piece to the thin area of the
other, to ensure even defrosting.
5.Shielding
Check food to ensure it does not over-defrost.
Remove any defrosted food, if possible, and turn
and shield thinner areas of food. It will be
necessary to shield the breast, ends of the legs
and wings on a chicken, and the head and tail of a
whole fish. Separate items such as chops,
sausages and steaks and rearrange in a single
layer as soon as possible. To shield, cover
defrosted, and thinner, or fatty areas of food, with
small pieces of aluminium foil. This will reflect the
microwave energy away from that area to prevent
it from over defrosting and beginning to cook.
Check foods at least twice during
the defrosting time and shield, as necessary,
ensuring the foil is still securely in place.
N.B. Ensure the foil does not touch the side or roof
of the cavity or “arcing” my occur. If this does
happen, stop the microwave and rearrange the
foods.
6.Cooling
For best results DEFROST foods in a cool oven.
(See page 27.)
7.Standing Time
Food should still feel icy at the end of the
defrosting time; this will disappear during the
standing time. Do NOT be tempted to put food
back to continue to defrost in the microwave as
this will lead to over defrosting. Allow small items
of food to stand for 15 minutes before cooking;
larger pieces of food will need longer. Cover foods
during the standing time, to prevent contamination
by airborne bacteria.
8.Container Shape
Foods in square shaped containers need careful
attention during defrosting to prevent corners from
beginning to cook. It may be necessary to stop
larger portions of food during the defrosting time to
shield the corners with aluminium foil. After
defrosting, always remember to transfer the food
into more suitable, round containers before
reheating in the microwave.
9.Stirring
Foods that can be stirred, such as curries,
casseroles and meat sauces, should, as the
defrosting time progresses, be broken up and
stirred. Stir the food before, and after, the standing
time as this helps to break up the ice particles and
speed up defrosting.
10.Solid foods
Foods that can not be stirred, eg lasagne, Cottage
Pie and pastry-topped dishes, benefit from
standing for a period of time in the middle of
defrosting. This enables the product to defrost
through to the centre without the edges becoming
excessively hot, use the Multi-stage programme
facility.
See page 9.
11.Foods not listed in Defrost Charts
To defrost food not mentioned in the charts, select
the Defrost power setting and as a rough GUIDE,
allow 20-30 seconds per 1oz/25g of food. When
using this method do not leave the food
unattended as it defrosts, but check frequently.
NOTE:
Calculate the defrosting time accurately and follow
any specific instructions.
The ability to defrost foods quickly is another excellent benefit of your Panasonic Combi.The quality of the
defrosted food will depend a great deal on the care the food receives in freezing and defrosting, so always
ensure that the best food is frozen and that it is packaged correctly.
Ensure the freezer is running at the correct temperature(-18˚C or below) and that it is not overloaded with food
or ice. Always label and date foods so that they can be used in strict rotation.
Always defrost using the Defrost power setting. NEVER try hurry the defrosting by selecting a higher power
level as this will only over-defrost the food, causing it to become tough and inedible leading to waste.
