Elementary question involving turkey thaw process

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter JonS356
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    Elementary Process
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the thawing process of a turkey, specifically the effectiveness of thawing in cold water and the implications of using different container sizes. Participants explore the timing and mathematical modeling related to heat diffusion during the thawing process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether using a larger container would allow for less frequent water changes while achieving the same thawing results.
  • Another participant seeks an equation to calculate the thaw time difference between using a sink-sized container and a larger tub-sized container.
  • A later reply references a heat diffusion equation relevant to cooking a turkey and asks for appropriate values for heat capacity and thermal conductivity specific to turkey.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the effectiveness of using a larger container for thawing or the specific equations needed to model the thawing process.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about heat transfer and the specific properties of the turkey that may affect the thawing process. The discussion does not resolve these aspects.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals looking to understand the science behind thawing processes, particularly in culinary contexts, as well as those interested in heat transfer principles.

JonS356
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I hope that someone here can answer this question...

I have an 18 lb. turkey that needs to be thawed in cold water over 9 hrs., with the cold water replaced every 30 minutes.

If I use a container about 3 times the size of the sink, will that allow me to change out the water every hour and a half (3x30mins.) and get the same results? That doesn't seem right...

Thanks for your time, and Happy Thanksgiving!
 
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Bump- Please reply! Thanks.
 
One more try. Looking for equation to calculate thaw time difference between sink-size and tub-size?
 
JonS356 said:
One more try. Looking for equation to calculate thaw time difference between sink-size and tub-size?
Here is on page 22-23 the heat diffusion equation for cooking a turkey in spherical coordinates:
http://cbe255.che.wisc.edu/diffusion.pdf
Separation of variables and integrating are straight forward. But what are good values for the heat capacity and thermal conductivity for a turkey?
Thanks
Bob S
 

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