Do you defrost things on the bench?

I have a terrible habit of putting something on the bench for an hour or two and the finishing the defrosting process in the fridge. I'm surprised I haven't given my family food poisoning!

by lizzi

Put in 'fridge at -24 hours. If forgotten to get from freezer, into M/W on only 10% power for longer time. That way, edges of food don't go dry.

NEVER benchtop=possibility of food poisoning!

Although left G/C fruit juice in cardboard pack, overnight in freezer, took out this morn, & put it into large bowl cold water. It literally defrosted within the hour!

by donjo

I have defrost a variety of items in the fridge, in the microwave and on the bench. If it is food that is in a pre-sealed pkt I read the instructions, but if it is meat or fish I put it out on the bench in a tray

by gbrow

I have an unheated utility room, where the freezer resides, so I often leave things to defrost overnight on the work surface in there. If I put something into the fridge still fully frozen, then it is usually still frozen in the middle when I want to use it.
I only use the microwave if I want it defrosted in a hurry. Another trick is to leave the frozen food in a bowl of cold water, as this conducts heat more efficiently than air so your food will defrost more quickly that way. it does need to be securely sealed though!

by VerityG

I defrost in the fridge, unless I've totally forgotten to take it out the freezer, and then it sits on the bench.

by mem_d

I just let things defrost on the bench.

by Maria

Only in the fridge:
or some things microwave
but not all.
We have moved away
from freezing about 90% of our food.

by jonaja

If it's a really cool day then I will allow things to partially defrost on the bench. Otherwise, I use the microwave or the fridge.

by Vee

I do it on the bench, but I put a tea towel under it so water doesn't go everywhere.

by meggf

I don't defrost on the bench because I am afraid of food poisoning. I defrost most things in the microwave. When I plan ahead I defrost in the fridge.

by Marie Vonow

No, I put stuff in the fridge overnight to thaw (depending on what it is) or use the microwave.

by Jennifer Muirhead