Defrosting

Heating

•Ready-prepared meals in aluminium containers should be removed from the aluminium container and heated on a plate or in a dish.

•Remove the lids from firmly closed containers.

•Food should be covered with microwave cling film, a plate or cover (obtainable from stores), so that the surface does not dry out. Drinks need not be covered.

•When boiling liquids such as water, coffee, tea or milk, place a glass stirrer in the container.

•If possible, stir large quantities from time to time, to ensure that the temperature is evenly distributed.

•The times are for food at a room temperature of 20° C. The heating time for food stored in a refrigerator should be increased slightly.

•After heating allow the food to stand for 1-2 minutes, so that the temperature inside the food can be evenly distributed (standing time).

•The times given are guidelines which can be varied according to the initial temperature, weight, water content, fat content or the result which you want to achieve.

Your microwave is ideal for defrosting. Thawing times are usually considerably shorter than in traditional methods. Here are a few tips. Take the frozen item out of its packaging and place on a plate for defrosting.

Boxes & containers

Boxes and containers suitable for microwaves are particularly good for defrosting and heating food, since they can withstand temperatures in a deep freeze (down to approx. -40° C) as well as being heat resistant (up to approx. 220° C). You can therefore use the same container to freeze, defrost, heat and even cook the food, without having to transfer it.

Covering

Cover thin parts with small strips of aluminium foil before defrosting. Thawed or warm parts should likewise be covered with aluminium strips during defrosting. This stops the thin parts becoming too hot while thicker parts are still frozen.

Correct setting

It is better to choose a setting which is too low rather than one which is too high. By doing so you will ensure that the food defrosts evenly. If the microwave setting is too high, the surface of the food will already have begun to cook while the inside is still frozen.

Turning/stirring

Almost all foods have to be turned or stirred from time to time. As early as possible, separate parts which are stuck together and re-arrange them.

Small amounts

Thaw more quickly and evenly than large ones. We recommend that you defrost portions which are as small as possible. By doing so you will be able to prepare whole menus quickly and easily.

Foods requiring careful handling

Foods such as gateaux, cream, cheese and bread should only be partially defrosted and then left to defrost completely at room temperature. By doing so you will avoid the outer areas becoming too hot whilst the inside is still frozen.

Standing time

This is particularly important after defrosting food, as the defrosting process continues during this period. In the defrosting table you will find the standing times for various foods. Thick, dense foods require a longer standing time than thinner foods or foods of a porous nature. If the food has not defrosted sufficiently, you may continue defrosting it in the microwave or lengthen the standing time accordingly. At the end of the standing time you should process the food as soon as possible and not re-freeze it.