food will spoil it if you refrigerate before cool?

[South Range Family]

Originally Posted by findinghope

so which is it? do we cool and then refrigerate? or do we cool in the fridge right away?

If you are done with it, get it in the fridge. It will cool faster, and pass through the danger zone faster. I keep a thermometer in my fridge. I know that if it goes above 38 degrees there is something wrong.

Mayonaise doesn't go bad. The stuff that is mixed with it such as potatoes, or chicken, is what goes bad. I posted that link not too long ago.

Somebody else mentioned botulism. Botulism grows in an oxygen free environment. It is most associated with canned goods. Garlic in oil must also be refrigerated because of botulism. The oil holds out the oxygen.


I'll add a few links as I find them, and can still edit. Food Safety Education: Chill Facts

Nova Scotia Agriculture - Food Safety: The Temperature Danger Zone

Somebody was talking about saving money with dented cans in another thread. This is why you shouldn't do that.
Botulism fact sheet (http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/botulism.htm - broken link)

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by andreaspercheron

Hmm... I dont know - I think that rule is more set aside for foods that have milk or foods that have mayo in them, like for example you wouldn't want to leave out potato salad, macaroni salad, etc... I have left beans out all night and then stuck them in the fridge the next day and ate them later, I didn't implode or explode LOL

Actually I recently learned right here on this forum (go city-data!) that the mayo thing is a myth. I always thought so too, especially since I got food poisoning from leftover potato salad a couple of years ago. However, it turns out it's the OTHER things in it that are likely to get contaminated and poison you, not the mayo. Unless, of course, somebody used homemade mayo.

Still, get your potato salad in the fridge right away! Ugh. I really haven't been able to enjoy it since that sorry episode.

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by South Range Family

Mayonaise doesn't go bad. The stuff that is mixed with it such as potatoes, or chicken, is what goes bad. I posted that link not too long ago.

Now I know where I got it!

[himain]

I usually leave my food out to cool first and then put in fridge. I'm still alive (i think)

[Winter01]

Thanks for all the responses and especially the food safety links!

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by andreaspercheron

I have left beans out all night and then stuck them in the fridge the next day and ate them later, I didn't implode or explode LOL

Now that's brave, especially if there's ham in them beans.

I do let my food sit on the stove to cool, but mostly because I'm afraid a warm pan or dish will break the cold glass shelves in my fridge.

[gentlearts]

At the risk of being redundant...I think this old wives tale came from when they had ice boxes. If you put something hot into the fridge it would warm up the inside too much, and food would spoil.
By the time you are finished eating, a leftover is going to be just warm, so putting it into the fridge isn't going to significantly lower the temperature in there.
As for your MIL. Just agree with whatever she says, then do whatever you please when she leaves.

[sandgirl]

I was told once that putting food into the fridge before it cools will change the flavor. I don't know if that is true or not.

[southdown]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

As for your MIL. Just agree with whatever she says, then do whatever you please when she leaves.

so wise...