For example, it you store a bowl of leftover food in the refrigerator, must you place a lid on that bowl or just store it as is? I have heard a rumor that if you place a lid on it, it can be contaminated by bacteria.
I go to culinary school, we learn about this stuff. There is a reason for plastic wrap, use it!! Bacteria need oxygen to grow, so the longer it’s in the fridge without a lid, more oxygen will circulate and bacteria have a better chance to grow. I’m in a sanitation class right now and we learn all about this.
#1 by rusrus on August 19th, 2009
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Yes, cover your food. If it’s not covered, the bacteria from the fridge will get into your leftovers – not the other way around.
Also, covering the food will stop the "odors" from ruining the other food in the fridge.
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#2 by Kristi a on August 19th, 2009
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Your whole fridge will stink if you don’t put a lid on it.
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#3 by Hailee D on August 19th, 2009
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The best answer would be yes, cover it. Although the rumours are partially true, you must allow the food to fully cool before placing it in any sort of container and storing it in the fridge. IF you store food that is still warm, condensation builds in the container and allows bacterial growth. The best way to avoid this is to prepare larger amounts and freeze for later consumption.
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#4 by nene on August 19th, 2009
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yes it is more sanitary.
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#5 by JS on August 19th, 2009
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not that I know of …
just make sure you push the air out of the bowl ..
and let the food cool down before you store it away
covering food actually helps the food not to dry out – as what usually happens with ham or cheese in the refrigerator
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#6 by Night Wind on August 19th, 2009
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Believe it or not, food actually lasts longer when it’s not covered. Even raw meat. However, it can also take up the taste of the inside of your fridge. I always cover mine anyway. I also love ziplock bags. Then if you don’t use something soon enough you can just throw it away. Nothing to wash! I don’t do that with everything, but I do with some things.
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#7 by Corinne on August 19th, 2009
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I go to culinary school, we learn about this stuff. There is a reason for plastic wrap, use it!! Bacteria need oxygen to grow, so the longer it’s in the fridge without a lid, more oxygen will circulate and bacteria have a better chance to grow. I’m in a sanitation class right now and we learn all about this.
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#8 by idolsbabystarlett on August 19th, 2009
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Well, I have news for you, it depends. You shouldn’t cover cereal you didn’t finish (just for example) because there is no need to. But if you have some soup you want to save for tomorrow lunch, yes, that should stay covered. That whole bacteria rumor, BIG LIE! If you don’t cover your leftovers, you refrigerator will be the contaminated one. Your fridge will start to smell, and get moldy, then you have no food. So if you have leftovers, cover them.
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my gramma (ah-mazing cook)
#9 by Henry on August 19th, 2009
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Inside a refrigerator is a very dry environment and any moisture evaporates and becomes ice on the cooling element. Anything that is not covered will quickly begin to dry out.
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#10 by bc g on August 19th, 2009
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it must be covered- other wise it will be dried up- there willbe transfer of smell- you have wrongly heard-if you have any doubt you may ask anymedical person or food specialist
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comonsence practice
#11 by corinne c on August 19th, 2009
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You should always cover food to stop contamination from other sources (raw chicken carries salmonella and is very dangerous) and also to stop it drying out (cheese, ham etc all dry out and turn a nasty brown colour if left uncovered)
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#12 by shadow79812002 on August 19th, 2009
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oh ya,otherwise you are risking your health.
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#13 by Steve G on August 19th, 2009
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I have a questions for all the answerer’s, How often do you clean your refrigerators, it’s not a science project, if you have oders and bacteria growing in there, covering or not covering isn’t going to help anything
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#14 by spicemousey on August 19th, 2009
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Well i would know if your don’t have a lid on it ..it would contaminated bacteria cause it is left out in the open and all kinds of oders for all other food and molds that maybe coming from other that don’t have a lid on it..so it’s best to put a lid on it to protect it..
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#15 by pris_jule on August 19th, 2009
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Most of the time, yes. I’ve never heard that rumor, lol…it’s always the opposite I’ve been told. An open can of soda can be left open, it’ll be ok…but say a whole pan of spaghetti? A container of leftover beef? Not only is it going to be open to all the fly-by germs, but it could risk falling and getting your whole fridge and floor messed up.
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#16 by mine on August 19th, 2009
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It should be covered because it can absorb orders from your refrigerator and also get things spilled into it
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#17 by amarilys17 on August 19th, 2009
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yes, you should always cover your food no matter what it is…not only because of the bacteria issue but also because you’re obviously putting the food in there to eat it later; but when you place it in there uncovered the food absorbs smells from whatever else you have in there or sometimes just the refrigerator smell and when you go back to eat your food will taste kinda weird. lol
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personal experience