Don't wash your chicken

I have never washed poultry before cooking, it is common sense surely!
DD1's controlling soon-to-be-ex husband, of West Indian origin, used to demand that she washed all meat under running water, splashing all over the sink and surrounds, as in their culture the practice is widespread. I have seen this done on TV many a time too.

I've never washed chicken (or any meat) much to my mother's horror! I don't understand why one would

The article showed someone washing the chicken with the elastic band still on! It wont cook through if that is left there.

This is quite old news. Apparently it applies to other kind of meats too. I always used to wash everything until daughter pointed out that the advice is to not do it. At the time I had just accused her of laziness in not washing it!

I leave the elastic on. You are supposed to. It has been expertly trussed. I can squeeze the stuffing in with the elastic in place. (and yes, I still stuff the body cavity )

I misread this thread as don't wash your children.

I always leave the elastic on too. It cooks through perfectly well with it on, and stops the legs splaying out during the process.

I always take the elastic off...... vaguely thinking the chicken looks a bit uncomfortable [way too late for that.] I have always felt a bit undecided about washing of meat simply for the reason given, the water goes all over the place when doing it. So now I needn't feel bad about not washing it.

One of the two fat ladies said to remove the trussing so as to let the legs cook between the leg and the carcass if you see what I mean. You don't want it pinkish or bloody there. I do tend to pour wine or sherry vinegar over things that have been wrapped in plastic. Don't know why. Pound land sells Flash with bleach which is good for the counters and sink. But not as good as Flash gel with bleach which the scoundrels have stopped producing.

I used to wash the meat and poultry as my MIL said it was wise to do so (DM never did), but not any more. I use Dettol spray and bleach the dishcloth sometimes as well.

I always take the elastic bit off. Years ago we had a Chinese takeaway and I chewed and chewed on my bit of 'chicken' only to find it was a thick elastic band. Never have enjoyed Chinese takeaways since.

I stopped washing chicken etc a couple of years ago after reading dire warnings about what happens when all those germs fly around the kitchen.
And apparently the oven should be hot before placing the chicken in it.

I worked that advice out for myself years ago. Also I hated the splash marks around the sink. I do remove the band, I preferred the skin to be a bit crispier in that area, rather than limply soggy.

ps I don't use the Dettol spray on the chicken, just on the surfaces near where it has been!

Thank heavens for that rose I thought you meant you hosed it down with Dettol before popping it in the oven!

it tasted a bit funny so I stopped doing it

Although I hot wash my dishcloths (and change them once or twice a day) I don't use bleach on any work surfaces (or chickens!). I rarely use disinfectant of any sort except for around the bit of work surface (in the utility room!!) where the cat is fed.

I take off the rubber bands and loosely tie the chicken legs together with string.

We are not dead - yet!!

Don't wash meat, don't remove elastic and stuff the body cavity of chickens. I only use bleach and disinfectant when having a deep clean How ever does my family survive !?

I have never washed chicken, but use special raw meat board which is then scrubbed under hot water with fairy liquid after use. Wipe down work areas and always change t towel and dish cloth which then go straight in to washing machine to wait for next watch. I am a bit obsessive about dish cloths to be honest, think they are the potential source of anything nasty. Mine always get a hot wash with t towels.

My raw meat board goes in the dishwasher - sometimes! I am obsessive about dish cloths too Gill and have about 15 cotton ones in the drawer which I change all the time! I wash them with tea towels and towels on a hot wash!

Well I wash the chicken (and all meat prior to cooking) - I don't know whose touched it and if their hands were clean! It could have been dropped on the floor or anything for all I know.

What kind of pressure are people's taps if the the kitchen is getting sprayed with chicken infected water? I have washed chickens (as does my mother) prior to cooking and we've never even had so much as an upset stomach - ever.

I think this is catering to the lowest common denominator who is too stupid not to have the tap on full power and doesn't have the sense to be careful when handling raw meat and poultry in general.

Oh, I always removed the elasticy bit as well - it helps the heat to circulate imo.

Good heavens!!! Why haven't me and mine been struck down by some deadly virus by now? Several tea towels and dishcloths a day....? Sounds a bit OTT to me

Ana - we are not fit to run our households

Read the thread title as "don't wash your children" and wondered why.

Exactly, hollyd. It really is only a case of might splash unwanted germs about your kitchen. It's not a certainty.

You and your blimmin' bleach, jess! Shared a house with a hygieniac when I was a student. She drove the rest of us mad with her germ theories, especially as she was always catching a 'bug' and the rest of us were never ill. We were ordinarily clean and careful about germs; she was obsessive. It didn't seem to gain her anything.

I'm sure it's possible to wash chicken without causing problems if anyone should be so inclined. I don't.

I often wonder how we have survived to our present advanced age. I even marvel how I have not yet bumped off DH who since his transplant has a compromised immune system. He even survived a dose of campylobacter (we think) picked up in a Turkish restaurant in Belsize Park. Other than not eating "pink" chicken I fear I rely on common sense plus perhaps good luck! Other than issues relating to his complicated medical issues we are rarely ill so it can't all be bad!