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Original poster

keeping partially cooked rice....???

22 replies

ameliagrey · 13/12/2011 16:35

i know that youhave tobe really careful with rice as you don't kill all the bacteria when it's cooked and they multiply quickly. What about keeping half cooked brown rice?

Just had dinner called off tonight- DH eating out- and I have a pan of brown rice which is half cooked, was for kedgeree. it's still quite firm to the bite.

Can I keep it in the fridge and then finish cooking it tomorrow or is it better to chuck it out and be safe?

OP posts:
Angelswings · 13/12/2011 16:43

Wouldn't risk it

stinkingbishop · 13/12/2011 16:48

The rice thing is an urban myth. No, don't reheat takeaway stuff, but that's to do with takeaways and their levels of hygiene, not rice per se. Bacteria will be on anything and everything. You'd happily reheat pasta, no? Or rice based ready meals from the supermarket?

A lot of high end restos half cook risottos as it takes so long to do it properly, then finish them off when the order comes in. Same.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 13/12/2011 17:01

I don't think it is a myth TBH.
If you google rice and spores you'll see that cooked rice still contains spores which multiply rapidly. You can keep rice for 24 hours in the fridge but it sould not be re-heated.

It's not as simple as just "bacteria" it's the spores in rice that cause the problems.

So not sure about half cooked rice!

OP posts:
Original poster
ameliagrey · 13/12/2011 17:03

I found this, so don't think I'll risk it Smile

www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2009/01/27/2475255.htm

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OP posts:
dreamingofsun · 13/12/2011 17:03

for years i've cooked double the amount of rice i need and made egg fried rice the next day and as yet we are fine. i obviously wouldn't leave it out of the fridge for hours on end.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 13/12/2011 17:05

i think this is worth reading...

www.tildafoodservice.com/downloads/tilda_guide_rice_heath_hygiene.pdf by Tilda so they have a vested interest in food safety.

OP posts:
Angelswings · 13/12/2011 17:08

Stinkingbishop, it's not an urban myth sadly. Rice can make you really I'll if not served immediately or cooled very quickly and stored well.

TheCrackFox · 13/12/2011 17:11

Just chuck it in the bin.

MoreBeta · 13/12/2011 17:14

Rice is a high risk food. You can freeze and reheat cooked rice as long as you do it very thoroughly. I would not keep even overnight in a fridge.

Original poster
ameliagrey · 13/12/2011 17:15

it's in the bin Grin

OP posts:
QuintessentiallyFestive · 13/12/2011 17:16

It is not a myth.

There is a special bacteria in rice that is "activiated" when the rice is in contact with water, ie, washed and cooked. Cooking it does not kill it.

The article I read said that rice is safe to eat if cooked, refridgerated and reheated the next day. Max 3 days in the fridge.

They found that the reason there were so many cases of food poisoning in chinese restaurants and takeaways in the late 80s early 90s was the rice. The restaurants would keep rice and reuse for egg fried rice, without refrigerating it, or storing it for too long before re-cooking.

CointreauVersial · 13/12/2011 17:21

As long as it is kept refrigerated and for only a short time, and is reheated very thoroughly, you would be OK. But it is true that cooked rice can carry nasties if the rules aren't followed.

But I have eaten reheated rice on many, many many occasions - my favourite meal as a child (I fended for myself) was reheated rice with ham, leftover veggies and melted cheese.

valiumredhead · 13/12/2011 18:27

It must be cooked, cooled quickly and then covered and put in the fridge. When you re heat it the next day it must be piping hot.

It is not a myth -it is basic food hygiene and is on food hygiene courses.

OhYouBadBadReindeer · 13/12/2011 18:31

what about if you cook too much rice and then have it in a lunchbox the next day like a rice salad? That's not reheated but is it ok?

OhYouBadBadReindeer · 13/12/2011 18:32

read link Blush handy that thanks :)

stinkingbishop · 14/12/2011 16:16

Yes to hygiene - but that applies to pretty much everything! You shouldn't be putting ANY hot food into a fridge/freezer without cooling it first. And you shouldn't be storing cooked food outside the fridge.

And the Chinese thing is what I was referring too!

Oo I feel sorry for rice now. I might do a rice marketing campaign. 2/3 of the world lives on it ;)

MoreBeta · 14/12/2011 16:19

I heated up some 1 month old rice from the freezer earlier for lunch.

I'll let you know if I get ill. Confused

valiumredhead · 14/12/2011 18:27

Freezing it will be fine though as long as it is re heated thoroughly.

Coconutty · 14/12/2011 18:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

valiumredhead · 14/12/2011 18:40

If it is cooled quickly and not left out for hours then bunged in the fridge and re heated properly - it'll be fine.

TubbyDuffs · 14/12/2011 18:42

Rice is fine as long as its refrigerated within a certain time period, however, if it isn't then no amount of heating it will get rid of the nasty bacteria and it can be very dangerous.

I tend to throw away any unused rice.

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