When is it safe to put food in the fridge?!
When is it safe to put food in the fridge?
Should I let food cool down down to room temperature or while it is still hot? Will putting food in the fridge while its still hot cause it to spoil?
Answers:
put it right in the fridge....the quicker you cool it down the safer....food only needs to be in the temperature danger zone (41-135 degrees) for four hours before bacteria can begin to grow.
It is best to place food into the fridge when the food has cooled down and/or reached room temperature. Adding hot foods to the fridge can spoil the items, as well increase the risk of spoiling other foods that surround those items. Hope this helps!
http://ask.metafilter.com/31450/is-it-ok...
no, you can put it in the fridge at any time. if you let it cool off you might actually make it spoil because the bacteria have more of a chance to grow at room temperature. Never leave meat out more than two hours because E. Coli can grow on it.
The best time to put food in the fridge is when it has cooled down to room temperature, some foods spoil when you put them in the fridge hot.
I was always told you had to let food cool to room temp before putting in the refrigerator. But recently I heard on the news (maybe 20/20?) it's a myth - it's actually better to put in when hot.
So, who the heck knows?
The food danger zone is 41-140 degrees farenheight. This is where bacterial growth conditions are best. The best way is to put into a shallow covered container (stainless is good because it conducts very well) and get it through this range as quickly as possible. Leaving on the counter is not a good idea. In the restaurants we have fast chillers that work well. At home, I sometimes put it in the freezer for a short period of time. Note, I have a big freezer and don't put it near other foods. Ice bath technique works too.
You don't let it cool down. that process starts the bacteria. Put it in hot.