Gammon in freezer how long?

M

Maggie B

Registered User
Messages
94
What would be the length of time to keep a fresh gammon in a freezer? It's a new chest freezer but it does not mention gammon on booklet.
 
Gammon is mine (hubby won at cards) friend owns the freezer she cant find book that came with it only a smaller leaflet so no proper info. I have a big family party next March and was hoping to keep gammon for it,will check with butcher in Morning.
 
The ham should be frozen as quickly as possible. The quicker it freezes the better it will be when thawed. To speed up the freezing process, place the well-sealed package on the floor or against the side of the freezer, as these are the coldest points.

Storage - up to 6 months max. Due to the high salt content, doesn't freeze as well as other meats

Defrost, loosely wrapped, in the fridge allowing five hours per 450g/1lb.
 
We recently ate some cooked ham left over from our Christmas dinner that had been residing in the freezer for 8 months - didn't do us any harm - when you say past its best do you mean it will give you food poisoning or just not taste as nice?
 
Most forms of pig meat, as opposed to other meats, have a very noticeable, odourous way of letting you know they are past their best.
 
Toby said:
when you say past its best do you mean it will give you food poisoning or just not taste as nice?
Click to expand...
I defrost the freezer perhaps 3 or 4 times a year, if I come across food that's more than 6 months old (rarely happens anyway, I don't like to store food for inordinate lenghts of time) I dump it; I'm sure it's still safe to eat but I'm pretty sure the flavour and nutritional value will have suffered considerably by that stage.
 
according to fsai.ie
--As a general rule and to maintain the quality, food should not be stored in a freezer for longer then 6 months (provided that your freezer is suitable for storing foods for this length of time. See star ratings above).

according to foodgloriousfood.ie
--The following are some tips for freezing meat:Depending on the cut, uncooked meat can be stored up to 6 months in the freezer. Larger cuts like steaks and roasts can be safely stored for up to 6 months. Smaller cuts, such as beef steaks, should not be frozen for more than 4 months, and minced meat should not be frozen for more than 3 months.


You will find different recommendations in different places. I'd say if it smells or tastes wrong then don't eat it. Personally I don't like to use stuff past about 6 mths. Found some christmas leftovers too recently but threw them out. Might have tried it a couple of years ago but feeding a toddler now so wouldn't risk it, also am pregnant so definitely wouldn't risk it. However I grew up in a house where nothing was thrown out and stuff I wouldn't dream of eating was fed to us without any of us ever getting food poisoning, in fact, hardly ever a stomach bug between 6 of us.
 
hi,
I checked with the Pork/Bacon butcher today and he said Gammon should only be stored in freezer for 3 months. It will lose flavour after that, other meat is ok for 6 months depending on freezer I was told.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top