Two food questions for all you wise ones ...

[earlgrey]

.. taking rats out of the equation, is it cold enough to leave anything that won't fit into your fridge outside?

And, if you had to bung your chicken into the freezer 'cos it arrived with "Use by 24th December" and it was actually for your Christmas day meal, how should you defrost it? Should I take it out today or tomorrow? And leave it outside or in?

TIA xxx

I would say take all the vegetables, drinks. (except milk)
Any bottles , like tomato sauce

I would take chicken out of freezer today and defrost slowly in fridge.

from wiki

Safe Defrosting
There are three recommended ways to defrost chicken: in the refrigerator, in cold running water and in the microwave. Never defrost chicken on the counter or in other locations. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. Boneless chicken breasts will usually defrost overnight. Bone-in parts and whole chickens may take 1 to 2 days or longer. Once the raw chicken defrosts, it can be kept in the refrigerator an additional day or two before cooking. During this time, if chicken defrosted in the refrigerator is not used, it can safely be refrozen without cooking first.
Chicken may be defrosted in cold water in its airtight packaging or in a leakproof bag. Submerge the bird or cut-up parts in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to be sure it stays cold. A whole (3 to 4 pound (1 to 2 kg)) broiler fryer or package of parts should defrost in 2 to 3 hours. A 1-pound (500 g) package of boneless breasts will defrost in an hour or less.
Chicken defrosted in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed. Foods defrosted in the microwave or by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
Do not cook frozen chicken in the microwave or in a slow cooker. However, chicken can be cooked from the frozen state in the oven or on the stove. The cooking time may be about 50% longer.

SoThey, so that means today, then?

Eff, we've no fridges left, so they'll have to go outside. I'm worried.

take chicken out of freezer today and defrost slowly in fridge.

Never defrost chicken on the counter or in other locations. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator.

are u sure leaving it outside is wise - animals might get your chicken

What is taking up so much space in your fridges????? Take out any alcohol - that will keep cold outside - i assume you are in northern hemisphere

I think it's cold enough outside atm. I have all the smoothies I can't fit in my fridge outside. Agree, put booze outside, not meat.

stcmpp - the blinking parsnips, carrots, potatoes are taking up all the space. That's why I thought the freezer might be the best place for the chicken.

If it's 'eat by 24 December' does that make it right to take it out today, or tomorrow?

Um, parsnips, carrots and potatoes don't need to be in the fridge, they're fine just at room temperature.

And absolutely, put everything else outside before meat. Put it in a plastic storage box, maybe?

Take all vege out of fridge

the chicken is already frozen so the use by date is a guide for defrosted chicken. So it will be fine - Take out today - you are having for lunch on christmas day I presume. If its a REALLY big chicken take it out now and put in fridge.

don´t worry