Freezing hams

[birdman]

If it's pork it will not last long in a freezer, 2-3 months & the fat begins to get rancid, 6 months & it's almost unedible. Just one mans opinion, for what it's worth.

[SunKneeMarie]

mmmmmm... rancid fat....

[krazy4playa]

Everything I have found on line with reguards to freezing a fully cooked ham is no more than 1-2 months. I know I have eaten them frozen for much longer than that. Maybe the 1-2 month thing is for best flavor. From a safty stad point I bet that sucker would last 2-3 years.

[NorthMinnesota]

How long does a Honey baked ham last in fridge???? I know I need to throw that thing away but Scott keeps picking away at it!!!

[krazy4playa]

Originally Posted by NorthMinnesota

How long does a Honey baked ham last in fridge???? I know I need to throw that thing away but Scott keeps picking away at it!!!

3 to 5 days no more than 7.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3523.htm

[Nerak936]

What about a canned ham?? I have one that I think came from my parents' house and that was about 6 years ago.

Do I dare???

Or should I just gift it to that a-hole tenant who sued me?

[Jacko]

More than you ever wanted to know....

Freezing

Ham should be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower and if it is not going to be used within the suggested storage time, it should be frozen to prevent it from perishing. Freezing should be avoided if possible because it will affect the flavor and texture of the ham. Freezing meat has little affect on its nutritional value.

When freezing, the ham should be frozen while it is as fresh as possible to maintain the best quality. If it is going to be frozen before it is cooked, it should be left in its original packaging. If its removed from its original package or the original package has a hole in it, the ham should be rewrap tightly, using moisture proof heavyweight plastic wrap or foil, freezer bags or freezer paper. To maintain maximum quality, double wrap the ham and be sure to wrap it tightly against the entire surface of the meat to help keep in moisture.

Mark the wrapped package with contents and the date so you can be certain of how long it has been stored in the freezer. The ham can be kept frozen longer than the recommended times and still be safe to eat but the quality of the meat will begin to deteriorate.

The ham should be frozen as quickly as possible. The quicker it freezes the better it will be when thawed. To speed up the freezing process, place the package on the floor or against the wall of the freezer since they are the coldest parts. It is always best to freeze and store frozen food in a freezer unit, rather than a refrigerator freezer. The freezer units will maintain a temperature of 0°F or below, which will allow food to be stored for longer periods of time. A refrigerator freezer will generally only maintain a temperature of 10°F to 25°F and is opened more often, adding to the fluctuating temperature. If the ham is stored in a refrigerator freezer, it should be used sooner than if stored in a freezer unit. Freezing times for maximum quality are shown below in the Storage Chart.


Freezing Tips:

• Use moisture proof wrap or bags when freezing ham. Wax paper is not moisture proof and should not be used for wrapping ham because it would not hold the moisture in the meat.
• Freeze ham as soon as possible to maintain the best quality.
• Do not freeze canned ham. If the canned ham is not a shelf stable item, remove the meat from the can, wrap tightly, and then freeze.
• If the ham has a bone that could poke through the wrapping, protect it with foil or plastic wrap before wrapping the entire piece.

<TABLE class=tableborder cellPadding=3 width=535 align=center border=5><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD class=bold colSpan=3>Storage Chart</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD class=bold width=305>Type of Ham</TD><TD class=bold width=98>Refrigerator
Storage</TD><TD class=bold width=84>Freezer
Storage</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Cook-before eating - Uncooked</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days or
"Use By" date</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Cook-before eating - Cooked by consumer</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -
Undated, Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>2 weeks</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -
"Use By" date, Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>"Use By" date</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -
"Sell By" date, unopened</TD><TD align=middle>3 days after
"Sell By" date</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -
Undated, Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Whole ham</TD><TD align=middle>7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Half ham</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Ham Slices</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Uncooked - Whole, Uncut
Stored at room temperature.</TD><TD align=middle>1 year</TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Uncooked - Cut</TD><TD align=middle>2 - 3 months</TD><TD align=middle>1 month</TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Cooked</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 month</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, "Keep Refrigerated" - Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>6 - 9 months</TD><TD align=middle>Do not freeze</TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, "Keep Refrigerated" - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, Shelf Stable - Unopened
Store at room temperature.
</TD><TD align=middle>2 years</TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, Shelf Stable - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sealed at plant - Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>2 weeks or
"Used By" date</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sealed at plant - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sliced in store</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Dry-Cured, Proscuitto, Parma, Serrano -
Thin sliced in store</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD><TD align=middle> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Fresh Ham - Uncooked</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>6 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fresh Ham - Cooked</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 days</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 months</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by Jacko

More than you ever wanted to know....

Freezing

Ham should be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower and if it is not going to be used within the suggested storage time, it should be frozen to prevent it from perishing. Freezing should be avoided if possible because it will affect the flavor and texture of the ham. Freezing meat has little affect on its nutritional value.

When freezing, the ham should be frozen while it is as fresh as possible to maintain the best quality. If it is going to be frozen before it is cooked, it should be left in its original packaging. If its removed from its original package or the original package has a hole in it, the ham should be rewrap tightly, using moisture proof heavyweight plastic wrap or foil, freezer bags or freezer paper. To maintain maximum quality, double wrap the ham and be sure to wrap it tightly against the entire surface of the meat to help keep in moisture.

Mark the wrapped package with contents and the date so you can be certain of how long it has been stored in the freezer. The ham can be kept frozen longer than the recommended times and still be safe to eat but the quality of the meat will begin to deteriorate.

The ham should be frozen as quickly as possible. The quicker it freezes the better it will be when thawed. To speed up the freezing process, place the package on the floor or against the wall of the freezer since they are the coldest parts. It is always best to freeze and store frozen food in a freezer unit, rather than a refrigerator freezer. The freezer units will maintain a temperature of 0°F or below, which will allow food to be stored for longer periods of time. A refrigerator freezer will generally only maintain a temperature of 10°F to 25°F and is opened more often, adding to the fluctuating temperature. If the ham is stored in a refrigerator freezer, it should be used sooner than if stored in a freezer unit. Freezing times for maximum quality are shown below in the Storage Chart.


Freezing Tips:

• Use moisture proof wrap or bags when freezing ham. Wax paper is not moisture proof and should not be used for wrapping ham because it would not hold the moisture in the meat.
• Freeze ham as soon as possible to maintain the best quality.
• Do not freeze canned ham. If the canned ham is not a shelf stable item, remove the meat from the can, wrap tightly, and then freeze.
• If the ham has a bone that could poke through the wrapping, protect it with foil or plastic wrap before wrapping the entire piece.

<TABLE class=tableborder cellPadding=3 width=535 align=center border=5><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD class=bold colSpan=3>Storage Chart</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD class=bold width=305>Type of Ham</TD><TD class=bold width=98>Refrigerator

Storage
</TD><TD class=bold width=84>Freezer

Storage
</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Cook-before eating - Uncooked</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days or

"Use By" date
</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Cook-before eating - Cooked by consumer</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -

Undated, Unopened
</TD><TD align=middle>2 weeks</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -

"Use By" date, Unopened
</TD><TD align=middle>"Use By" date</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -

"Sell By" date, unopened
</TD><TD align=middle>3 days after

"Sell By" date
</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Vacuum sealed at plant -

Undated, Unopened
</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Whole ham</TD><TD align=middle>7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Half ham</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Fully Cooked - Store wrapped - Ham Slices</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Uncooked - Whole, Uncut

Stored at room temperature.
</TD><TD align=middle>1 year</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Uncooked - Cut</TD><TD align=middle>2 - 3 months</TD><TD align=middle>1 month</TD></TR><TR><TD>Country Ham, Cooked</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 month</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, "Keep Refrigerated" - Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>6 - 9 months</TD><TD align=middle>Do not freeze</TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, "Keep Refrigerated" - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>5 - 7 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, Shelf Stable - Unopened

Store at room temperature.

</TD><TD align=middle>2 years</TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Canned Ham, Shelf Stable - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sealed at plant - Unopened</TD><TD align=middle>2 weeks or

"Used By" date
</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sealed at plant - Opened</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ham, Lunch Meat - Sliced in store</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Dry-Cured, Proscuitto, Parma, Serrano -

Thin sliced in store
</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>1 - 2 months</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD>Fresh Ham - Uncooked</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 5 days</TD><TD align=middle>6 months</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fresh Ham - Cooked</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 days</TD><TD align=middle>3 - 4 months</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Thanks for that, but we've moved on to canning...

[birdman]

Originally Posted by NorthMinnesota

How long does a Honey baked ham last in fridge???? I know I need to throw that thing away but Scott keeps picking away at it!!!

Forever, but you might want to chuck it when the green slime appears.

[SunKneeMarie]

Hmmmm... looks like I'll be tossing that puppy... fwiw, it was a Hormel Cure whateveritscalled ham... never opened and put in two freezer baggies....

aka Tomorrow's Garbage

[JudyBluEyes]

Yuck!! I've frozen ham before and it was terrible when I defrosted it...and it was only frozen a couple of weeks.

[james]

the answer is Spam

[Nerak936]

Oh, hell.... I'll just save it til next Xmas and it to the Tenant from Hell.

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Oh, hell.... I'll just save it til next Xmas and it to the Tenant from Hell.

Hey, I'VE got one I could send ya!

[MaripositaII]

Hmmm...I see that some of you had great fun with this thread. I'm thrilled that my 'SAMS Ham' brought such joy.

Meanwhile, my husband bought 2 of those SAMS hams today on his way from work, and now he's not liking the idea that he NEEDS TO EAT THE BLASTED ham soon, or I'm going to buy myself a fresh one next Christmas, and he gets to eat the frozen stuff!

He insisted on buying them because the cashiers and the other guys who bought them all said that's what they've done every year. *Sigh.*

Easter is the LATEST I'm keeping those babies, and one of them is going to be cooked in beans, soup and whatever I can think of very soon...just don't let him know that please

P.S. I forgot to add that there isn't a bone in this ham, and that it's in the original wrapper. I believe it was the Black forest ham.