Refrigerators look like basic technology: put cold food in, it stays cold. Put hot food, cool down. Simple, right? They are a bit trickier than that. Those drawers inside your fridge are actually at a different temperature than the rest of the space, and the overall temperature inside your fridge is affected by how tightly you’ve held the contents. When you throw in the added complication of a temperature control knob (what does a cool setting of 2 actually mean?), it further confuses the task at hand.
It may seem small, but finding the perfect temperature is important for food safety. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the number of harmful bacteria in food stored at room temperature can double every 20 minutes. The FDA advises consumers to keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and the freezer at 0 degrees.
However, Consumer Reports has conducted tests that show the ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature keeps the food at a safe temperature, but not so cold that ice starts to form in your vegetables. Set your refrigerator to this temperature for the best food quality — and the longest storage time.
Modern refrigerators allow you to set specific temperatures, but older models may still operate with an atmosphere adjustment knob. In that case, invest in a refrigerator thermometer. The thermometer will tell you exactly how cold (or hot) your fridge is at which setting. Just adjust the knob until the thermometer reads 37 degrees after a few hours.
Even with a modern refrigerator, a thermometer can be a good option. It will allow you to determine if the temperature settings are correct. Some refrigerators had a deviation of two or three degrees from the setting. This means that a setting of 37 degrees can result in a setting of 34 degrees or 40 degrees, depending on the direction of the variance.
It takes about two hours for bacteria to start growing. All food, even takeout boxes from restaurants, should be chilled within this time. While you’d probably be fine eating food that’s been out for a little over two hours, the safest option is to refrigerate anything you buy before that time passes.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn