How to cool food safely?

[wangle99]

I always make enough stew and that type of food to eat the next day and embarrassingly I always end up throwing the excess away as I don't know how to 'cool' it properly and safely.

How do you cool food quickly and safely?

Hi - split it up into small containers and stand them in cold water; ideally you would add some ice to the water or freezer blocks - once the food is cool to the touch you can safely cover it and freeze or refrigerate. HTH

Leave it in the saucepan. Once its cool either freeze or fridge it. I aint died yet.

I take it out the saucepan/casserole (cause that tends to stay warm) into a plastic container and leave on the side till it's at room temp, then fridge or freeze.

I'll always put leftover dinner in the fridge before going to bed though, even if it's not quite cold, as I think it's better not to leave at room temp overnight.

I put a plug down, run some cold water just enough to cover up to half of the saucepan and put the saucepan with the lid on into the cold water. From time to time I change the water as it gets warm and it's soon ready for the fridge. It doesn't take long, stays cooler from the start and it works for me. Please let me know if any of the messages were of help to you and how did you get on with the food safety issue. Thank you.

Thank you for your help. Will fill sink tomorrow with cold water as am cooking sausage and bean stew and no doubt will have too much! I will feel very pleased with myself if we manage to eat this second day in a row!

I just do as MrsBadger and have done for years. I don't think it is necessary to immerse it in cold water but by all means do so if it gives you peace of mind!

I just do as MrsBadger and have done for years. I don't think it is necessary to immerse it in cold water but by all means do so if it gives you peace of mind!

I just do as MrsBadger and have done for years. I don't think it is necessary to immerse it in cold water but by all means do so if it gives you peace of mind!

It has been hot lately and I would be worried if I just left my food in the kitchen even in the plastic container but I suppose, whatever works for you is fine. The other thing is that we all have different resistance and my parents in law easily defrot the food and then put in in the freeza and nothing happens to them for years, yet some of us would be unwell if we did the same. I also know many people reheat their food and they are okay but it's not allowed in many restaurance as considered to be a health risk.