why is it only mushy sometimes...?

[sabrelvssammy]

how is it that i can take a food and freeze it and sometimes it thaws perfectly and other times it seems 'mushy' ???

take for example chili...i always make a big batch and freeze the x-tras in containers for later...sometimes when it thaws it is mushy...other times its perfect? i always use the same types of containers, using the same recipe, i let the food cool before putting lid on and in freezer, i take out and thaw for 12-24 hrs in the fridge before heating up, i heat up the same way everytime, it does not stay in freezer for long periods of time....

what gives???

and its not just chili...sometimes my soup does it, sauces, etc... (sometimes it looks as if there are ice crystals on top of the food when i open the container)..but i don't have to see the crystals for it to still be mushy...that's just an additional observation....

there's no method to the madness.... any ideas ????

[Palooka]

Geez, I was prepared to give a different answer.

[frugalwarrior2]

could it be due to how much food is inthe freezer or where it is placed?? We microwave defrost sometimes w/ chili and it breaks down but???

[sabrelvssammy]

could it be due to how much food is inthe freezer or where it is placed?? We microwave defrost sometimes w/ chili and it breaks down but???

always placed on the same shelf in same place (so i know exactly where it is...and i am a bit ocd about it too)...

but why does it SOMETIMES break down? and sometimes not ???

[lottaLove]

I get the ice crystals sometimes if I put things in one corner of my ancient freezer. Its the corner that's right beside the place where the cold air comes out....I feel dumb but I don't know if there is a name for that thing
The mushy thing though...that is very strange. Does it ever happen where two things from the same batch will come out one good one mushy?

[mombottoo]

Is it possible that you are not cooking things for exactly the same amount of time, each time? It's the only thing I can think of since if a batch of chili for instance was cooked a little longer than another batch of chili the beans would be a little more done and could possibly appear mushy when taken out of the freezer & thawed to reheat.

[sabrelvssammy]

i make my chili in the slow cooker and usually do it the same way... tonight when i thawed out a batch dh said the meat was mushy...almost like oatmeal even....it wasn't like this before i froze it when he had the 1st serving... (i brown the meat 1st before i add it to the slow cooker with everything else).....

its kinda strange coz it has happened before...but not all the time.....

[Mummy2]

It may be the fat content in the meat and how it breaks down during the thawing process. You cant really guarantee the way the butcher grinds the meat, they can have a guide on howmuch fat to leave in the meat.

[frugalfranny]

You didn't mention - is this in a frost free freezer? If so, I wonder if that could affect it.

Is the fat content in the meat always the same? The frost crystals make me think that you might have one spot where the seal is not as good. (put a paper bill in it and see how easy it pulls out in each spot - if really easy, the seal isn't tight)

There is a world of difference in texture/taste/quality when I put something in my refer. freezer (which is frost free) as opposed to putting it in my big freezer which is NOT frost free. The big freezer's taste and quality is sooooooo much better. The main reason I won't consider buying a frost free big freezer.

[sabrelvssammy]

yea the freezer is a frost free...its only a yr old so i am sure the seal is ok....i will check it anyway coz you never know....

i never noticed the difference between the house freezer and the deep freeze in the garage...i will have to experiment with that one....why do you think that is ? coz of the cycles its going thru...?

[frugalfranny]

yea the freezer is a frost free...its only a yr old so i am sure the seal is ok....i will check it anyway coz you never know....

i never noticed the difference between the house freezer and the deep freeze in the garage...i will have to experiment with that one....why do you think that is ? coz of the cycles its going thru...?

Yep....when you have a frost free the cycles will have an affect on the food.........I don't care what the salesman will tell you.

If I am not going to be able to eat something within a week; I put it out in my big freezer........or try too (it is really full now from my summer 'bounty'). The things that I don't notice much difference with are what I call the 'non-fresh food'.........juice, butter, TV dinners (yes, I keep a couple on hand for my REALLY lazy nights!!) and for a short time some WELL WRAPPED but not cooked meat.

Also - you could just have a 'weak spot' in the seal (not bad - just uneven or some such thing).........mine has had one since it was new!!! It is on the back....right hand side. But mine is a chest freezer. So don't be surprised to find one........I wasn't too pleased with mine but knew they wouldn't take it back either!