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Not necessarily. Supposedly modern refrigerators can handle the chilling of hot food. But personally, I help it out, either by separating the food into smaller, shallower storage containers to permit faster chilling or by using ice baths to cool the food down.
The FDA Food Code says that food should be cooled from 140 degrees F to 70 degrees F within 2 hours. Then the food should be further cooled from 70 degrees F to 40 degrees F within an additional 4 hours.
The issue with allowing food to cool slowly to room temperature is that naughty bacteria are prone to thrive and multiply at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F (5°C and 60°C). And the US Department of Agriculture - concerned for your welfare even though you live in Australia - is deeply upset when foods are allowed to linger in that temperature range. The USDA will allow you to keep foods in that range for as long as two hours if you have to do something foolhardy, such as go on a picnic. But two hours is the limit. And, of course, they would prefer that foods not linger in that range at all (and you'll have to agree with the USDA that even if you put room-temperature food in the fridge, it's still going to take a while for the temperature of the food to fall below 40°F).
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIf you put a hot casserole or pot of soup directly in the fridge from the oven or stove, it will just warm up all of the food around it and not cool down safely.
You can cool it at room temp for no more than 2 hours, or cool it quickly in a water bath and then put it in the fridge, or divide it into individual portions and refrigerate immediately.
If you have cooked something and eaten it for dinner, there's no need to let it sit out and grow bacteria to "cool" it further - that's what the fridge is for.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoYes because if you put it in the fridge hot it is more likely to spoil faster
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoFood should be left to cool to room temperature before being covered and placed in the refrigerator.
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Should food be cooled down before putting it fridge?
Yes, from what I have heard and read. Moving hot food to a cold refrigerator can cause bacteria to form and grow rapidly. The food should be cooled to room temperature before refrigerating.
How long should you cool chicken before freezing it?
You should cool food down at least to room temp before freezing.The faster you cool cooked food the less likely bacteria will have to form on it. Putting it in an ice bath is the correct way to cool food before refrigerating or freezing it.
Why should you chill food as quick as possible in food safety?
Refrigerating food retards bacterial growth. It does not stop it, it only slows it down.
Hot foods should be cooled for two hours before refrigerating them?
Potentially hazardous food should not be left out for more than 2 hours, after which time it should be either refrigerated or reheated. If the ambient temperature is very warm, cut that to 1 hour.
What is the most common way to preserve food?
Freezing in a freezer or refrigerating.
After baking food in oven do you wait before refrigerating it?
Let it get to room temperature before you put it in the refrigerator. It doesn't take that much longer to cool and if you put it in the fridge hot it will get everything in there warmer.
Why are shallow containers best for refrigerating food?
Food that needs refrigeration should be cooled as rapidly as possible and held at that temperature. Shallow containers allow food to cool quickly, lowering the chances for bacteria to grow.
Will Refrigerating or freezing foods will kill any bacteria present in the food?
true
What method scan be used to preserve food without the aid of canning or refrigerating?
You can smoke or dry food to store it.
Explain why covering and refrigerating food helps to reduce spoilage from moulds?
Covering food reduces spoiling because it blocks out air carrying bacteria and other harmful substances and refrigerating keeps it cold and the cold blocks out bacteria.
What are the factors in food spoilage during refrigeration?
I know of a few: its contact to air, the temperature, the humidity and what form of food you are refrigerating.
What is An appropriate method for cooling a large quantity of food?
A large quantity of food must be cooled by immediate refrigeration. The refrigerator's temperature should be set as cold as possible and, if practicable, the food to be cooled should be refrigerated on shallow trays or dishes to allow for quick cooling. You could also put your trays of food into the freezer until cold, before covering or sealing and refrigerating.A large quantity of food must be cooled by immediate refrigeration. The refrigerator's temperature should be set as cold as possible and, if practicable, the food to be cooled should be refrigerated on shallow trays or dishes to allow for quick cooling. You could also put your trays of food into the freezer until cold, before covering or sealing and refrigerating.
