- 1). Leave hot foods on the counter to cool before putting them in the refrigerator. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, food should not be left out for more than two hours or for more than one hour if the room temperature is above 90 degrees.
- 2). Divide large quantities of hot food into smaller storage containers to help them cool faster. Food will cool faster in shallow, wide containers than in deep, narrow containers.
- 3). Place the hot food container in a bowl of cool water to draw the heat out of the food quickly before putting food into the refrigerator.
- 4). Cover hot foods with a loose-fitting lid or plastic wrap so that heat can still escape and place in the refrigerator to cool -- seal the container tightly after the food has cooled down, which should take about an hour.
- 5). Take the hot food outside for 1/2 hour during cold winter months, or near an open window, to cool the food rapidly without using extra energy in your refrigerator. Set the dish on your porch rail to cool, but make sure it is out of reach of animals and covered with a loose-fitting lid or dish towel.
- 6). Discard hot food that has been left out for more than two hours. If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, food should be discarded after being left out for one hour.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Next Post