Rayray -I was having that exact conversation the other day with my SiL who has just got into SCing too. We weren't sure but maybe chunks of red meat (not mince) that was not browned would be OK in the winter. I wouldn't feel too comfortable about chicken, pork or mince as it takes such a while to get up to a high temp to kill any bugs. I'll be interested to hear what some of the SC gurus have to say...