Food Preserver System explained, Refrigerator

The Food Preserver System explained continued

DEFROSTING FOODS IN FOOD PRESERVER BAGS

Refrigerator

Defrosting in the refrigerator is considered the best way to defrost whether it is raw meats or frozen meals. Place Food Preserver bags on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Do not re-freeze.

Microwave

Cut Food Preserver Bag on one corner and place onto a microwave safe plate. Use the defrost setting on your microwave to defrost slowly. Defrosting on a high heat will start to cook the food on the outside before it has fully defrosted. When defrosting in the microwave, foods must then be cooked or heated immediately. Do not re-freeze.

Room temperature

This method is only suitable for foods such as breads or nuts. Cut Food Preserver Bag on one corner and leave at room temperature until thawed.

Note: Thawed raw foods such as meats or chicken, can only be vacuum sealed and re-frozen once cooked and allowed to cool thoroughly first.

HEATING FOODS IN THE FOOD PRESERVER BAGS

Liquid foods such as soups and sauces can be placed still frozen into a saucepan of boiling water until defrosted. The Food Preserver Bag and its filling will be hot so take caution when opening the bag.

Precooked meals such as meat or rice dishes should be thawed as recommended above, removed from the bag and transferred to a saucepan for reheating. Alternatively, one corner of the Food Preserver Bag should be cut if being placed in the microwave. Ensure the bag is placed onto a microwave safe plate and heat on high until hot.

Repackaging pre-packed food

Many foods, like cheese and meat, are sold prepacked in factory-prepared vacuum bags. To retain the flavour and freshness of these foods, repackage them in Food Preserver bags after the factory package has been opened.

Note: Pre-packed foods must always be consumed by the useby date shown on the original package.