How do you unfreeze main outdoor pipes quickly?

Before you read on make sure the faucets are open, ready to release the melted ice- water expands as it heats and if it has no place to go the pipes can burst- harming you and destroying your Plumbing! The best bet is to use a hairdryer -Not a blowtorch- it could take more than a few minutes though- you can also try running warming strips along the pipe and using some type of insulation tape so the pipes won't freeze again in the future.