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Freezing and nutrients - more info

markg Apr 24, 2008 05:52 PM

Here is some info from the FDA regarding frozen meats for human consumption. You can extrapolate for snakes.

1. Freezing does not remove nutrients to any significant degree if the meat is kept at 0 deg F.

2. Maintaining at 0 deg F does not kill microbes - it only deactivates them. Once thawed, the microbe growth resumes just like on a fresk-kill.

3. Wild whole game can be maintained at 0 deg F for 8-12 months without sacrificing quality. It is safe for much longer than that but may dry out and therefore suffer in quality.

4. Freezer burn is where the meat dries out in spots. That will erode quality and nutrient content for that small part of the meat.

5. The best/safest way to thaw frozen meat is in the refrigerator, in the microwave or in cold water. Never on the counter or under lights or in warm water.

So I guess the real question is how many of our freezers can maintain 0 deg F. And, I always thawed in warm water or in the room. FDA says that practice is not optimal for best quality and least bacteria activity.
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Mark

Replies (5)

Hollychan Apr 24, 2008 05:58 PM

And everything I've read says Don't put frozen mice in the microwave to thaw.. either they explode or start to cook. :P
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

markg Apr 24, 2008 06:16 PM

>>And everything I've read says Don't put frozen mice in the microwave to thaw.. either they explode or start to cook. :P
>>-----

Well of course no microwave for mice, so that leaves the cold water method for most of us if we want to follow the guidelines.
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Mark

HappyHillbilly Apr 25, 2008 01:59 AM

I mostly thaw my rats at room temperature but occassionally use warm water in a pinch.

I bought a small, used microwave a few years ago for $5 just to use for thawing or heating up rats. I mostly use it just to heat 'em up a tad, not so much for thawing.

I've never left one in for very long and I don't want to. Haha! After about 6 seconds or so you can hear an internal organ pop. I suppose it's the liver, heart or something like that, but I always stop it just before it happens & if the rat's not warm enough I put it back in for a few more seconds. Even when they pop after 6 seconds or so everything's still contained within the skin & I've never had any messy problems.

I don't use the microwave a whole lot but it has sure come in handy. Nothing like the smell of cooked rat. Woohoo! I think I'm gonna quit using the same microwave to heat up my leftover pizza. At least it doesn't taste as bad as it smells.

Larry's assumption of warm water/large items sounds logical to me. I'll fall for it & keep on using warm water when I need to.

Ya'll take care!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

LarryF Apr 24, 2008 09:13 PM

I don't know for sure, but I assume the "no warm water" warning is mostly about somewhat larger items. That's because they will thaw quickly on the outside and get funky before the inside is thawed. That may not apply to something as small as a mouse.

These days I thaw my rats in cold water and use warm water once they're thawed for that reason. Mice don't seem to be a problem unless your really have the water too hot.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

mldolan Jun 06, 2008 03:42 PM

for my mice i use my AppleTV it about 8" by 8" and the top is about 130f . Place the frozen mice on it and in about an hour they are warm enough to feed to my snakes.
plus you can watch youtube videos of snake feedings on it while you wait.
mike
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..1 Jayne "The Hero of Canton", Ball Python
..1 Edmund Slackbladder, Mexican Kingsnake
..1 El Diablo "They haven't built a cage I can't get out of" Pueblan Milksnake
(Currently serving 25 to life in a Maryland Supermax
______________________________________________________

Me; And finally monsieur a wafer thin pinkie
El Diablo: blaggh
Me: ah sir its only 1 leetle pink one
ED: ahh, sod off! I'm full
Me: ah sir hmm? its only wafer thin?
ED: bah! i couldn't eat another thing I'm absolutely stuffed. bugger off!
Me: ah sir, sir just ...just one......?
ED: ok just one
Me just the one.
Me: voila!
Me: bon appetite!.......

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