Reheating food

[Diana35]

Hi everyone,
I am involved with a singing community which often have weekend events. We always have a sharing lunch, with people bringing food from far and wide. At big conventions we can get around 100 to 150 people, often coming from abroad, so local singers do lots of batch cooking and freeze in large foil containers (around 23x30x6 cm).
These can be pies, casseroles, oven bakes. They are thawed and reheated on site.
My question is (after that long ramble.....)
- how can we work out how long to reheat something for & what temperature?

Hopefully someone out there has an answer for me!
Many thanks

Di ??

 

[Andy M.]

Hi Diana. I'm not sure there is any kind of formula for reheating. For large casseroles of the size you mention (9"x12"). It can take an hour to reheat depending on how cold and how dense the food is.

Smaller items like pies will take less time.

If foods go into the oven to reheat and are still partially frozen, it will take longer still.

You also have to be careful to not over cook or dry out the top of the foods waiting for the interior to heat through. Some foods may reheat better covered.

 

[Themommychef]

Thanks Andy!

 

[Diana35]

Thanks Andy.
All food is thawed & we can make sure it is covered!
I was thinking around an hour at about 160 deg?

 

[Andy M.]

Thanks Andy.
All food is thawed & we can make sure it is covered!
I was thinking around an hour at about 160 deg?

Sounds about right for the big containers. I'd check the internal temperature to be sure.

 

[skilletlicker]

Thanks Andy.
All food is thawed & we can make sure it is covered!
I was thinking around an hour at about 160 deg?

Celcius, I presume.

 

[Just Cooking]

Sounds about right for the big containers. I'd check the internal temperature to be sure.

An instant read thermometer was an essential when we did large gatherings.. Takes out the guess work..

Ross

 

[Steve Kroll]

I was thinking around an hour at about 160 deg?

I would consider going even a little hotter. Maybe 170-175 C. It will bring the temperature up more quickly.