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 must first be “divided into smaller containers before refrigerating.”  

When taking food out of the refrigerator, the USDA mentions that food should not be left outside 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 refrigerator 

How to cool food properly?

Now that we have resolved your doubt about whether hot food can be put in the refrigerator, you know it should cool down a bit first, but you also need to follow certain rules to do this. Here we tell you what they are!

The Australian authorities explain that the correct way to let food cool is as follows:  

• Stir the food frequently to lower the temperature. 
• Empty the food into smaller containers so it cools faster. 
• Monitor the temperature using a special and clean thermometer. 
• Place the containers in an area where air circulates to cool the food. 
• The food must reach a temperature of 21 °C in 2 hours or less.  

Read more: What to do with food in the refrigerator if it spoils? 

How to store food correctly in the refrigerator? 

The Australian health authorities recommend following these recommendations to store food correctly in the refrigerator. 

• Put food in the refrigerator when it has a temperature of 21 °C. 
• Food can be refrigerated once it is no longer steaming.  
• Cover the containers and write the date, time, and type of food before storing or freezing it. This helps you know if the food has been stored for too long and is better thrown away.
• Make sure the temperature inside the refrigerator is below 5 °C.
• Once the food has cooled, it should not be left outside the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.  

Remember that if prepared food is left out of the refrigerator for more than 4 hours, you should throw it away, as it is likely to have bacteria. 

Now that you know you can put hot food in the refrigerator in small portions, don't hesitate to apply the hygiene tips provided by experts to cool it down properly and avoid illnesses.  

Continue reading: What foods should not be stored in the refrigerator?