Can hot food be put in the refrigerator?

There are many myths about whether hot food can be put in the refrigerator, as it is even said that it can spoil, but how true is this? At kiwilimón, we set out to investigate whether hot food can be put in the refrigerator!Can hot food be put in the refrigerator?The answer to whether hot food can be put in the refrigerator is yes, it can, but the portions must be very small. This is because if you fill your refrigerator with hot food, it will raise the temperature of the appliance and other items could spoil due to the growth of bacteria.On the other hand, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains that small amounts of hot food can be put in the refrigerator. However, you should not store large pots full of hot food, as they should be “divided into smaller containers before refrigerating.”When taking food out of the refrigerator, the USDA mentions that food should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.Now you know, although you can put hot food in the refrigerator in small portions, it is best to let it cool a bit before storing or divide it into smaller portions to cool it down.You can also read: How and why to disinfect your refrigeratorHow to cool food properly?Now that we have resolved your question about whether hot food can be put in the refrigerator, you know it should cool a bit first, but to do this you must also follow certain rules. Here’s what you need to do!The Australian authorities explain that the correct way to let food cool is as follows:Stir the food frequently to lower the temperature.Transfer the food to smaller containers to cool faster.Monitor the temperature using a special and clean thermometer.Place the containers in a spot where air circulates to cool the food.The food should reach a temperature of 21 °C in 2 hours or less.Read more: What to do with food from the refrigerator if it spoils?How to store food correctly in the refrigerator?The Australian health authorities recommend following these guidelines to store food properly in the refrigerator.Put food in the refrigerator when it is at a temperature of 21 °C.Food can be refrigerated once it no longer releases steam.Cover the containers and label with the date, time, and type of food before storing or freezing. This helps you know if the food has been stored for too long and it's better to throw it away.Ensure that the temperature inside the refrigerator is below 5 °C.Once the food has cooled, it should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.Remember that if prepared food has been left out of the refrigerator for more than 4 hours, you should throw it away, as it may have developed bacteria.Now that you know you can put hot food in the refrigerator in small portions, don’t hesitate to implement the hygiene tips provided by experts to cool it properly and avoid illnesses.Continue reading: Which foods should not be stored in the refrigerator?