"J Stevens" > wrote in
message news:K1HAk.673$Pv5.85@edtnps83...
> Hi everybody!
> I've got a brisket and a pork shoulder in the freezer that I want to BBQ
> next weekend.
> What's the best way you've found to thaw these, and how long does it take?
> I usually don't start with frozen meat, but I stocked up when there was a
> sale.
> Thanks !

There are several ways to thaw any meat. The best method is to Temper the
food being defrosted. Tempering simply means to thaw in the refrigerator or
any other cold environment over a long period of time.

It is known in the freezing process the water within the food freezes first
forming ice crystals which separate from and damage the cells. It is
believed the tempering process allows the cells to reabsorb the separated
liquid (Water).

I have in the past simply I have put a very large piece of meat into a
cooler which will act like a self generating refrigerator. Obviously the
cooler will eventually warm up and the food will defrost. If you use the
cooler method place an instant read thermometer into the cooler and check
the temperature at least daily.

Dimitri