Should Leftovers Cool Before Refrigerating?

Myth: Hot food will spoil if refrigerated before cooling to room temperature. Facts: Just the opposite. ... In other words, leaving food out at room temperature encourages bacteria to thrive. “We have what's called the two-hour rule: Food should only be out for two hours before it's put in the refrigerator,” says Feist.

Can I put warm food in the fridge?

FACT: Hot food can be placed in the refrigerator. Large amounts of food should be divided into small portions and put in shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator. ... Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Should you let food cool before refrigerating?

You should at least wait for the food to come down to room temperature before refrigerating. ... "If you are storing cooked food do so within 2 hours of cooking. Cooling it faster also helps, divide the food into smaller portions so that it cools fast and can be frozen sooner to avoid contamination.