to wash or not to wash?????

[jack daniels]

chatting to a friend of mine today we both discovered that I wash all meat before cooking it - including mince, she doesn't wash any of hers.
I can't cook meat without washing & draining it first. I know some people will say that cooking it would kill all the germs but I think you don't really know where it's been or how/who has handled it in whatever way.
I also 'wash' fish in salt & vinegar or lemon juice which takes some of the strong 'fishy' smell out of it

Anyway I was wondering how many people wash or don't wash & their reasons for doing so

tia Anna x

[B00]

No, i never wash it, it's never entered my head to do so!

[gingejbee]

Rinse fish -yes. Meat- never!

[vodkancoke]

I rinse chicken and fish under the tap. Fresh fish shouldn't smell "fishy" though!

[welshlibranr]

I remember reading somewhere ages ago, that you shouldn't wash meat, can't remember the reason though!.....sorry!...........

[B00]

I've found this.

http://www.foodchanne...-meat-before-cooking/

[Old_Geezer]

It has never occurred ot me to do so. I guess I've always trusted the butcher who supplied it. Although I can see why you might want to. Couldn've been anywhere I suppose.

[tiggerblue10]

Same and Ginge, rinse fish and chicken but not meat. Its better if its cooked from dry.

[sherrardk]

I don't wash meat - try to handle it as little as possible (bit squeamish).

[mandimoo]

No I dont wash any meat or fish. No-one ever told me to, and Im quite glad cos Im quite lazy!

[Anlyn]

You wash it because you don't know where it's been or who/how it's been handled?
What do you wash it in that will make any difference to that?

[vodkancoke]

OG has just reminded me....for some reason (and I have just realised I do this!) when I buy my chicken from the butcher, I don't wash it. If i buy chicken pieces in a packet from the supermarket...I wash it. Weird!

[tiggerblue10]

Ooops! Should read **same AS (not and) ginge

[EDDIE51]

I rinse the skin on a pork joint then dry it, and rub in oil and salt before cooking but that is all, that is to get good 'crackling', never even thought of washing meat.

[pusskin]

I have always rinsed chicken and dried it with kitchen roll! Just a habit I guess.
Never do that with fish, but sometimes with a joint of meat and again dry it on kitchen roll.

[Old_Geezer]

Water I would have thought. Probably needs a good scrub too though.

Doesn't pay to think too much about what your food is like then.

[EcclesCake]

I have absolute confidence in where my meat comes from. I watch my butcher cut to order from whole carcasses and have not concern.

If I was in a situation where I had concerns about how the meat had been handled I would probably not eat it at all.

Having said that I have eaten meat that has been stored and sold in conditions that I'd rather not dwell on. I am still here though.

[wildchild]

I never knew you was suppose to wash meat!?

[4getmenot]

nope never wash it

[woofgang]

The only time I wash is if it's a whole fowl and the inside is bloody, never otherwise.

[DTCwordfan]

It is not recommended.

In fact, washing it can spread unnecessary risk around in the form of cross-contamination with your kitchen accessories. Advice of the Food Safety Inspection Service in the USA

“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” ~Thomas Keller