Thawing frozen milk question

[DivaJen]

Is there some trick to thawing out frozen milk? If I out it in my frig, it stays frozen. How long can I leave it on the countertop? Is there some trick I'm missing?

[shelbylovesmelby]

no idea. I was wondering if there was any catch to freezing milk, like the thawing ect. *watching*

[PrincessPerky]

Is your fridge to cold? Have you tried the door (often warmer than the inside)

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Is your fridge to cold? Have you tried the door (often warmer than the inside)

No, not that I can tell (nothing eles is freezing or anything) and yes, I've tried that.

[PrincessPerky]

How frozen is 'still frozen'? is it like a chunk in the middle? maybe your supposed to shake it?

[flash]

Whole milk or nonfat? Milk proteins separate very easily, so you may have formed a giant block of ice with milk solids inside. Takes forever to melt. Microwave on defrost...it helps if you freeze it into cubes, only because they are smaller, more air, and you can add them directly to unfrozen milk to keep it cold, stretch it out...

(But...the milk cartons are great to freeze punch or your favorite drink in, dump it out into a bowl of punch, the ice block keeps the punch cold without melting into a watery mess.)

[DivaJen]

This was 2% milk.

What I've done is leave it on the counter and then move it to the frig. I'm worried I'll forget about it and wind up with spoiled milk sitting on the counter. If I move it from the freezer to the frig directly it remains a solid block.

I hear about people freezing milk, and I wanted to try it, but it seems like a lot of trouble quite honestly.

[PrincessPerky]

It changes the taste we won't do it..

[poundwise]

I don't freeze milk. I don't see why it would be worth doing unless one finds some kind of great sale on milk. Regardless, it is too much hassle and, in my own personal view, not a worthwhile measure.

[Fern]

i think it just takes longer than other items, so try to think ahead and put it in the fridge 3 days before you want to use it.

[DivaJen]

The reason I froze it in the first place is that we were going out of town and had an unopened half gallon of milk that would likely have gone bad before we got back, or before we could finish it.

I think I'll tuck this tip away as one to use if I need it but not necessarily one I'll be using regularly.

[flash]

from the dairy site:

http://www.dairyland.ca/storing.htm

Freezing Milk
Although we do not recommend freezing milk products, for some it is a necessity. Milk may be frozen for as long as 3 months provided the sealed container is frozen prior to the best before date. Skim and 2% milk freeze better than Homo milk (whole milk). Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator. The milk will still have the same nutrients, but it may separate. If it does, shake well or beat with an electric mixer or rotary beater.

[boefixepa]

My mom did this....ours always had 'floaties' and I hated it...plus it tasted funny too...I will not freeze milk.

[LALizzie]

Well, I did not think that we had to justify why we want to save money, but here it goes. The reason I want to freeze my milk is because I am single, and I normally go through about a half gallon before it goes bad. If I buy a half gallon of NON-FAT milk, it cost around 2.50, or 4.00 for two-half gallons. On the other hand I can buy two whole gallons of non-fat milk for 3.50!

I only buy non-fat milk, and my refrigerator, which I monitor with a thermometer is not to cold. All to say, this is a legitimate question and a legitimate problem, so I would appreciate any valid suggestions.

[bqmother]

It takes a long time to thaw in the gallon jug. If you find it necessary or epedient to freeze milk, I would recommend placing it in 1 or 2 fallon size freezer bags and laying them flat on cookie sheets to freeze, They will freeze faster and when you want to thaw them, you can actually break them into small chunks and put in a bowl.