Should you put hot cooked food directly into the refrigerator or wait for it to cool? It's an old debate—what's the best way to store hot food so it doesn't poison a family member or damage your refrigerator?
Sometimes we need to quickly cool a hot dish before eating it, and sometimes we want to keep hot food hot for later or store leftovers from cooking. A refrigerator is a possible option here, according to a report published by the German website Deutsche Welle.
But there are many widespread misconceptions that refrigerators are very dangerous for hot food. What is the truth behind these claims?
Multiple risks
A number of websites argue that putting hot food in the refrigerator is not recommended. One such website, Okotest, which specializes in product and service reviews, suggests that it is better to let food cool down somewhat before storing it in the refrigerator.
According to this source, there are several reasons for this, including not using a refrigerator to consume a lot of energy to cool hot food, avoiding raising the humidity inside a working refrigerator above the warm air emitted by hot food, and preserving other foods stored in the refrigerator.
On the other hand, some argue that hot food can be refrigerated, including the Washington State Department of Health. However, they stress that large quantities of food should be divided into smaller portions to allow for faster cooling.
Both sides agree that leaving food out for more than two hours, even if it's initially hot, is dangerous. Cooked food is susceptible to bacteria if not eaten or stored within a specific timeframe, especially perishable foods (such as meat, cut vegetables, and fruits). Starting at 4 degrees Celsius, the risk is greatest, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to numerous food poisoning cases.
The University of Michigan, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, confirms that small amounts of cooked food can be stored in the refrigerator, but they warn against storing large quantities.
Important tips
The danger, according to the source, is that these large, hot quantities may raise the temperature inside the refrigerator or freezer, which may negatively affect the food already in the refrigerator.
Experts advise wrapping cooked or hot food in the refrigerator, placing it in covered containers or small glass boxes to preserve the food and its aroma. Place it on the top shelf of the refrigerator for maximum cooling, according to Healthline.
Only place small amounts of hot food in the refrigerator. When in doubt, it's safest to let hot food cool slightly for a few minutes, but at most, don't store it for more than one to two hours. You should also discard any cooked, perishable food that has been out of the refrigerator for longer than the specified period.
How to protect food from summer bacteria?
Many women suffer during the summer from food exposure to bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. How can these dangers be avoided?
The presence of bacteria in food can cause food poisoning. This is often caused by improper food preparation, which results in a bad odor. Learn how to protect food from bacteria by following these guidelines:
Before preparing food:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom or changing your baby's diaper, and before preparing food.
- You should also wash your hands after touching raw foods and pets.
- You should not handle food if you are sick and have stomach problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or have any open sores.
When cooking
It is important to cook food thoroughly, especially meat and most seafood, to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present in the foods.
To ensure that meat is cooked, test by inserting a knife into the meat until it easily reaches the deepest part; then the food is fully cooked. It is recommended not to reheat food more than once.
When cooling
- Some foods need to be stored at the proper temperature to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It's always best to check the storage instructions on the label.
- You can set the refrigerator temperature to 5°C to preserve food in the summer.
- If you leave food at room temperature, bacteria can grow and multiply to dangerous levels.
- Try to cool cooked leftovers quickly within a few hours, and place them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Prevent the spread of pollution
Bacteria can be transferred from raw foods to other foods, usually when food is touched with hands contaminated with viruses from unclean work surfaces.
To prevent the spread of contamination, the following is recommended:
- Wash hands when handling raw foods.
- Store foods separately.
- Store raw meat in sealable containers at the bottom of the refrigerator, so that the meat does not drip onto other foods.
- Use a different cutting board for each type of food.
- Clean knives and other utensils after handling raw foods.
- Always maintain food hygiene.
- Check out these healthy tips for keeping the food you eat healthy.
- Store food properly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that spoil the food's odor.
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