Food hygiene query

[Deathraystare]

OK. I don't eat meat myself but whilst perusing a few cookery books I came across the following:

1. Put the cooked chicken in the fridge straight away. I would have thought you needed to let it cool first as otherwise it is changing the temp of your fridge.

2. • Another chicken one. I understood one was not to wash chicken but this recipe book from the Caribbean said to wash chicken in lemon and water.

Any thoughts??? Again, I do not eat meat myself but I am intrigued. I definitely saw a programme about bugs in food and it said not to wash the chicken. I have also understood that you cool food first before you put it in the fridge.

I always thought cooked food had to be completely cold before you put it in the fridge, otherwise, like you said, it raises the temp of the fridge.
Washing chicken is a complete no-no, I haven't eaten meat for years but I still know that.

I agree re: not putting hot food in the fridge. It should be cooled quickly, then refrigerated.

Washing chicken seems to be a cultural thing - I've read threads about it on here with respondents divided into 'wash' and 'don't wash' camps. It's advised against in the UK as it can spread campylobacter. Cooking chicken to a sufficient internal temperature is all you need to do.

Thanks all!

I agree with PP about cooling the chicken or any other food before it is put in the fridge otherwise the fridge and nearby food will warm up.
The washing of chicken if done very carefully can be ok .
Filling a large bowl ( washing up bowl size ) with cold water and add lemon or vinegar then gently submerged the chicken and leave it / very gently wash taking care not to create any splashes.

It's the splashes when the chicken is washed under running water that cause problems . The bacteria splashes all over everything within a a foot or so range. Then take care not to drip water all over the worktop , draining board and floor.
Or at least I think that's how it works

Why wash it all though? Completely unnecessary. Wipe it if you must, but cooking the chicken properly will deal with anything on it anyway. That bowl is going to be minging and more of a health risk over time too.

I also think the problem with washing raw meat is that particles of 'water' that you can't see can easily be transferred to the sink, taps etc

I usually put food in the beer fridge to cool down doesn't matter if the beer warms up