If you make food (ie soup casserole etc) which you intend to freeze. Should it be covered with something while cooling?

[Fololomolo]

I like to leave uncovered to allow it to cool as quickly as possible as I read somewhere the more quickly it cools the better. I don’t like leaving it sitting out too long. Dh keeps telling me I need to cover it with cling film / foil to stop germs getting on ? It’s cos he is wfh normally I can do it my way! I need to check with mumsnet what is right here

I never cover mine.

No never cover it. I figure that even if any devious little germs landed on it then the freezing process and the reheating process would kill them before we eat it

Surely with that logic covering with cling film the bacteria would actually have a lovely warm environment for longer than no lid cooler quicker, less growth of bacteria .

Thank you this is exactly my thoughts. I have been letting him cover it to save an argument but it’s driving me mad !

I cover to stop it drying out and keep flies out.

I was always told it was more dangerous to cover it. Something about the condensation that forms in the lid falling back into it. I may have made that bit up It fits with what other people are saying about creating a warm moist area for bacteria to thrive.

Yes he thinks flies will land on it but there is t really any around in our kitchen

I leave it uncovered, but I have a mesh dome thingy to keep flies out.

I just pop a sheet or two of kitchen towel over it. Stops flies getting in it but it isn’t air tight so cools quickly.

I use glass click lid containers and cover tightly as soon as filled.
I then put them in the freezer when not totally cold.

Interesting people do use various methods for it !

No I don’t cover, bacteria aside, all of the steam drips back in as water. I find letting it evaporate instead enriches the flavour.

Mmmm, soup

If it's in the pan, I angle the pan lid, so it's covered but there's a gap for heat to escape. Or I might put it uncovered in the microwave, a kitchen cupboard or in a cold oven.

I don't leave things out uncovered because we have cats who think nothing of helping themselves to leftover pasta bake or whatever.

If the fridge isn't too full, I might also put it in there before it's completely cold. The temperature indicator tells me that this doesn't make the fridge warm and as long as you don't do anything daft like put a warm pan in contact with raw chicken, it's unlikely to cause harm.

I put a lid partially on it so the heat can still escape but nothing can fall in it

I put it in a cupboard or under one of those net cover umbrella thingys.

I cover, but IABU. I have an irrational fear of spiders and I know they hang around waiting until I'm not looking and hide in my food. If you're more sane than I am, then I'm sure uncovered is fine.