Storing warm food in the fridge – is it possible?
There is no definitive answer to the question of whether warm food can be kept in the fridge. While there are some reasons for rapid cooling, there are also risks involved. In our blog post, you can find out the reasons for and against this, when it makes sense – and when it is better not to do so.
The key points
- Warm food in the fridge? In principle, it is possible, but caution is advised – food that is too warm can impair the refrigeration performance and warm up other foods.
- Rapid cooling is important to prevent the growth of germs, but food should be allowed to cool down first.
- Use small portions, cover, cool in a cold water bath and organise the fridge in the best way.
Warm food in the fridge – list of contents
Warm food in the fridge: the facts
One thing is clear: all approaches to the question “Can warm food be placed in the fridge?” are valid. And they are not even incompatible with each other. Food does spoil more quickly if it is stored unrefrigerated in a warm environment for a long time. But one thing is also clear: a fridge naturally has to work much harder to maintain or restore the “cooling level” inside. The rule of thumb here is: The warmer or hotter the food is and the larger the quantity, the longer it takes for the fridge to return to its original temperature. In addition, warm food in the fridge can cause other stored food to warm up again. This reduces its storage time. In addition, the steam from warm food causes condensation to form in the fridge, which settles on the back wall of the interior and leads to ice formation.
Please note the following when placing warm food in the fridge
- Allow warm food to cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge
- If possible, transfer hot food into small containers to speed up cooling
- Seal the container with a lid – steam encourages icing
- Speed up cooling by placing it in a cold water bath
- Organising your fridge properly
Warm food in the fridge – our technologies
Liebherr appliances are ideal when it comes to compensating for temperature fluctuations and storing food in the best possible way – even if warm dishes are occasionally placed inside. Thanks to innovative technologies, the cooling system remains efficient and powerful. The PowerCooling system uses a powerful fan to ensure even temperature distribution, meaning that hot food is cooled down more quickly without warming other food. The SuperCool function ensures particularly fast cooling by temporarily lowering the temperature and quickly cooling fresh food without consuming unnecessary energy. In addition, BioFresh safes guarantee a constant temperature close to 0 °C, with the result that sensitive food stays fresh longer despite short-term temperature fluctuations. With these technologies, our appliances ensure that your food is always optimally cooled – efficiently, reliably and in an energy-saving manner.
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