Question
When cooling a stock: Place the hot stock in the freezer immediately Place the hot stock pot in a sink and allow cold running water to cool the outside of the pot Place the hot stock in the refrigerator immediately Leave the hot stock at room temperature over night 1 p
Solution
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(246 Votes)
Cassidy
Master ยท Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Placing the hot stock pot in a sink and allowing cold running water to cool the outside of the pot is the best option among those provided. This begins the cooling process safely and helps prevent bacterial growth. It's important to note that you shouldn't leave the stock in the sink to cool completely. After the initial rapid cooling in the sink, transfer the stock to smaller, shallower containers and refrigerate promptly.The other options are unsafe and can lead to foodborne illness:* **Placing the hot stock in the freezer immediately:** This can lower the freezer's temperature, affecting other stored food. Also, large quantities of hot food can cool unevenly in the freezer, increasing the risk of bacterial growth in the still-warm center.* **Placing the hot stock in the refrigerator immediately:** Similar to the freezer issue, a large, hot item can raise the refrigerator's temperature, potentially endangering other refrigerated foods.* **Leaving the hot stock at room temperature overnight:** This is extremely dangerous. Room temperature is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and leaving stock out for extended periods dramatically increases the risk of foodborne illness.