Food left out - Will it be ok?

jonny2510

I made a chili in the slow cooker last night, which I server up at around 7 ish.

At the time I served it up, I served two portions into a sandwich box for later freezing.

I left it uncovered for approx 45 mins - 1 hour, and then clicked on the lid.

As it was still warm I didn't want to put it in the freezer (is that correct, are you supposed to wait until food cools down completely before freezing)?

I then left it out on the kitchen worktop, and forgot about it until this morning, when I put it straight in the freeze.

Will it be ok to thaw at some future point and eat (left out approx 1 hour uncovered, then 14 hours covered/sealed)?

If it will be ok to serve, how should I go about preparing it once thawed (I'm assuming thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours, but how long / how should I re-heat it)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I'm quite new to the cook double freeze half game!

Bitsy_Beans

I do this all the time as I don't like putting stuff in fridge/freezer whilst warm.
Not poisoned anyone yet and I'd only be slightly concerned if it was mega hot weather.

horsechestnut

It will probably be O.K.. I have done a similar thing!!!
The point is that when you de-frost it, it is very important to make sure that it is heated up to over 85oC . If you don't have a thermometer then just make sure to heat the food on the top of the cooker until it is bubbling gently for approximately a good five minutes.
Next time put the lid on when it is piping hot; that helps prevent bacteria getting into the food in the first place.

pandora205

I'll be fine. You can't put warm food in a freezer for obvious reasons. I quite often leave stuff overnight if I've cooked it mid/late evening. Just make sure it's reheated very well.

delain

I eat things i've left out all the time, and i never get sick... there's a lesson there - you can be to clean and fussy!

The people who moan about my food practices are ill a lot more often than i am, and they only eat from spotless kitchens

jonny2510

pandora205 wrote: »

You can't put warm food in a freezer for obvious reasons.

Excuse my ignorance, but are the obvious reasons related to warming up the surrounding freezer somewhat, or something to do with bacteria on the food you are trying to freeze?

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's certainly put my mind at rest.

I'll be sure to make sure it's piping before serving up next time. (and will hopefully report back the next day to confirm I survived :rotfl:)

pandora205

jonny2510 wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance, but are the obvious reasons related to warming up the surrounding freezer somewhat, or something to do with bacteria on the food you are trying to freeze?

I meant it'll defrost the other food, which would then refreeze (shouldn't freeze many things twice) or be damaged. I don't know about the bacteria bit.. I think it's heating rather than freezing that kills bacteria.

jonny2510

pandora205 wrote: »

I meant it'll defrost the other food, which would then refreeze (shouldn't freeze many things twice) or be damaged. I don't know about the bacteria bit.. I think it's heating rather than freezing that kills bacteria.

Cheers, that makes sense. I don't know where I got the bacteria idea from. Something about the food on the outside going cool, whilst the inside remains warm possibly (though I could just be imagining it!)

Thanks again for the input