Do you wash raw chicken before cooking it?

[Anonymous]

It’s a great way to contaminate your entire sink and even beyond as the spray of water aerosolizes salmonella all around your countertop.

I take raw chicken from the package and like all other meats I use paper towels to absorb as much moisture off the surface of the meat as possible - this is critical for effective browning of the meat. There is no need to wash the surface of any meat because a good sear is going to kill anything on the surface anyway and rinsing meat doesn’t kill bacteria on the surface.

[Anonymous]

since you're probably cooking it way past 165, why would it matter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USDA says do not wash your chicken!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4C0k5hEcJc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARGatosn4dQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Y4I9z2i8c

America’s Test Kitchen says the same.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a great way to contaminate your entire sink and even beyond as the spray of water aerosolizes salmonella all around your countertop.

I take raw chicken from the package and like all other meats I use paper towels to absorb as much moisture off the surface of the meat as possible - this is critical for effective browning of the meat. There is no need to wash the surface of any meat because a good sear is going to kill anything on the surface anyway and rinsing meat doesn’t kill bacteria on the surface.

Yes. This is the way to do it from both a food safety and tasty food standpoint.

[Anonymous]

Gross. No.

[Anonymous]

I know current guidance says we shouldn’t but I do. It’s how my grandmother taught me and seems unsanitary if I don’t (I know this is not true but it’s how it feels ). I use very low water to avoid splashes and hold it low inside the sink then clean the sink with bleach afterwards .

[Anonymous]

No then you’ll just spray nasty chicken juice everywhere.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't.

[Anonymous]

I do. Never gotten sick from Samonella.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know current guidance says we shouldn’t but I do. It’s how my grandmother taught me and seems unsanitary if I don’t (I know this is not true but it’s how it feels ). I use very low water to avoid splashes and hold it low inside the sink then clean the sink with bleach afterwards .

You are reminding me of a work colleague who always peeled pears, even organic ones, because her grandmother thought the peels were toxic. I don’t mean this in a rude way, but do you never question anything from the way you were raised?

[Anonymous]

No, absolutely not. If there is a lot of juice I may pat it dry with paper towels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know current guidance says we shouldn’t but I do. It’s how my grandmother taught me and seems unsanitary if I don’t (I know this is not true but it’s how it feels ). I use very low water to avoid splashes and hold it low inside the sink then clean the sink with bleach afterwards .

You are reminding me of a work colleague who always peeled pears, even organic ones, because her grandmother thought the peels were toxic. I don’t mean this in a rude way, but do you never question anything from the way you were raised?

My grandmother doesn’t wash her hands. Ever.

[Anonymous]

https://youtu.be/-DIaeywkXnI