Never Store Pots in the Refrigerator. Here's why.

Do You Keep Pots in the Refrigerator?

It's happens to all of us: you have all the ingredients in the cupboard and decide to prepare your fave dinner on an empty stomach, only to realise your appetite was bigger than your belly and you're left with a load of leftovers.

When it comes to refrigerating food, it seems easier to simply store the pot with its goods in the refrigerator to heat up the next day, but did you know this is potentially bad for your health — and your pots and pans too.

But Why?

When food is kept in pots and pans before being stored in a refrigerator, a moist environment is created —  perfect conditions for the development of bacteria! These germs can enter the pot (this is why an airtight is usually included with a tupperware container) and contaminate the food, which can lead to a very upset stomach. 

Not only that, the metals from the pots and pans can leech into the food and cause metal contamination which eventually can cause health problems, although using a pan with an enamel coating can lower the risk, and ceramic pans are totally fine to be kept in the refrigerator. 

Storing salty and/or acidic foods in metal cookware is also a pretty bad idea as the metal has the potential to corrode and thus reduce its durability. If exposed to moisture within the refrigerator, pots and pans made from cast iron and carbon steel can rust, impacting on their efficacy and lifespan. 

Additionally, the food stored in the pot or pan will likely end up tasting a little funky after sitting in the refrigerator. This is because the metals can react with acidic foods, such as tomatoes and rhubarb, and alter their flavor.  Without an airtight lid, the flavor will also become weaker.

Box is Best

So, if you want to actually enjoy your food the following day, keep lurgies at bay, and protect your pots and pans, we suggest investing in some tupperware or airtight, refrigerator-friendly, glass containers as soon as possible!