Questions on handling, preparing, and storing food in ways that prevent foodborne illness.
74
votes
10answers
17k views
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature?
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature? If so, how long is it safe to keep it out?
48
votes
7answers
144k views
Is it safe to eat potatoes which have sprouted?
I'm talking about potatoes which have gone somewhat soft and put out shoots about 10cm long.
Other online discussions suggest it's reasonably safe and the majority of us have been peeling and eating ...
47
votes
8answers
9k views
Is it safe to put hot food in the fridge?
I heard that putting really warm food in the fridge right after cooking it is not the right thing to do. It might cause bacterial growth? Is this true?
37
votes
7answers
9k views
Is it safe to eat moldy cheese if you slice off the edges?
Whenever my cheese gets too old and has a bit of blue/white mold on the side, I'm not sure whether I should throw it completely out or not. Is it safe to eat if I cut off the edge? Should I cut a bit ...
34
votes
13answers
22k views
Why do we peel carrots?
So I was sitting there, looking down at my counter, realizing that I probably had a good carrot or two of shavings just going to waste. (well, I'll compost it, but it's non-food at that point).
Is ...
29
votes
14answers
3k views
Nonstick cookware or not?
I am looking to replace my >10 year old Calphalon nonstick cookware. I can see the nonstick surface coming off the pans, and am starting to worry about how much of that is getting into our food.
I ...
29
votes
1answer
3k views
How long can I store a food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer?
How do I know if a given food or ingredient I have is still good, or if I should discard it?
How can I best preserve a food or ingredient?
This broad question is intended as a "general reference" ...
28
votes
7answers
36k views
How dangerous is it to refreeze meat that has been thawed?
I've often been told by people that I shouldn't refreeze meat (particularly hamburger meat) once it has been thawed. However, this seems a little silly to me. I can't imagine how meat that hasn't ...
26
votes
7answers
38k views
Is there a problem with defrosting meat on the counter?
I generally defrost meat on the kitchen counter. A friend of mine suggested that this was dangerous and suggested that I defrost meat in the refrigerator. I am no biologist but it seems to me that as ...
25
votes
11answers
19k views
How long can I keep eggs in the refrigerator?
To keep eggs useful and healthy, what is the average time I can keep them in refrigerator? Can I freeze, and re-use them after melting, or will they be useless or not healthy to eat?
25
votes
7answers
8k views
Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
I have a friend that is training for a marathon and he drinks 6 raw eggs before running (Yes, like Rocky) - is this safe?
25
votes
3answers
16k views
Should I peel kiwifruit?
What should I do with the kiwi peel?
I've got no problem with its taste and feel
and eat them whole when I'm by myself.
Is it in any way bad for my health?
24
votes
4answers
34k views
Why is it dangerous to eat meat which has been left out and then cooked?
If cooking meat kills bacteria, and bacteria are responsible for problems with eating meat which has been left out, then why is it dangerous to eat meat which has been left out at room temperature and ...
23
votes
7answers
30k views
Is it safe to eat smoked bacon without grilling?
The reason I ask this is due to the fact nothing on the bacon packaging indicates it can or cannot be eaten 'raw' and in general eating raw meat is a bad idea.
23
votes
3answers
9k views
Frying Oil Reuse
What are some guidelines or rules with regard to filtering and reusing (vegetable/canola/sunflower) oil that has been used for deep frying?
Is it safe and acceptable under some circumstances to ...
23
votes
4answers
3k views
Is it safe to eat a cooked steak that (briefly) touched the plate that was holding the raw meat?
So I just finished preparing a perfect-looking steak, and as per usual, my apartment's hypersensitive smoke detector decided to go off. Not wanting to put the steak back into the pan, in one ...
23
votes
4answers
10k views
What is the internal temperature a steak should be cooked to for Rare/Medium Rare/Medium/Well?
I'd like to know when to take my steaks off the grill and please everybody.
22
votes
5answers
9k views
Is “until juices run clear” a valid test for poultry doneness? Why or why not?
I've come across this particular recommendation many times in various recipes and cookbooks and probably even given it out myself once or twice. Poultry is sufficiently cooked when the juices run ...
21
votes
1answer
363 views
Sniffing out a rotten egg from the dozen
Is it possible to tell if an egg has gone off?
I am not referring to those eggs that have been especially brined to look like they've been sitting around for decades, but to fresh eggs you want to ...
21
votes
9answers
15k views
Expiration Date on Milk
What does the expiration date on milk cartons mean?
I have different experiences with the date:
There is still about a week before the expiration date but the milk has gone bad
It is 1-2 days ...
19
votes
5answers
57k views
Is ground/minced beef bad if it turns brown in the fridge?
I bought some ground beef around 2 weeks ago and used half of it, putting the rest in a freezer bag in my fridge (not the freezer). It has since turned brown (not red, as when I bought it).
Is it ...
19
votes
5answers
5k views
Cure for burns from hot peppers / capsicum oil?
So, I foolishly ignored advice about wearing gloves while handling hot peppers. I thought since they were "just" anaheim peppers I'd be fine... I was wrong, and I repent.
Does anyone know of a way ...
19
votes
8answers
73k views
How to quickly and safely defrost chicken?
What is the safest, quick way to defrost chicken? Microwave? Running water over it?
18
votes
4answers
34k views
Why isn't it safe to eat raw chicken?
Why is safe to eat some raw or undercooked meats like beef and fish (assuming you're careful), but not chicken? I know that there are bacteria in chicken, but are they in all chicken, or just so many ...
18
votes
10answers
5k views
Can I boil eggs in the same pot I'm boling something else?
I know cooking the eggs kills the salmonella and that the risk is small even for raw eggs. However, I stopped boiling the eggs in the same pot I'm boiling something else, like potatoes, when I learnt ...
18
votes
2answers
4k views
Food safety of meat vs. veggies and fruit with mold on them
Obviously, it's bad to eat moldy food, so I don't do so. However, the other day I was presented with both an old pot roast and asparagus in the fridge, both of which had grown mold. Of course, I ...
18
votes
3answers
3k views
Never ending soup; is it actually safe?
In the poor student or youth worker days it was popular to have never ending soup; a large pot on the stove that was topped up with new and leftover ingredients when available
Normally the pot was ...
18
votes
1answer
10k views
Why doesn't Bailey's go bad?
I realize it can go bad after a long time, but why does it take so much longer than other dairy products? Does it have to do with the alcohol content? If so, what is the process that is happening?
17
votes
12answers
15k views
How do I stop my fire alarm from going off when I cook?
My fire alarm always goes off when I cook, even when the food is not burning. Because of this, I have never been able to keep batteries in my fire alarms. How can I stop this from happening?
17
votes
7answers
1k views
Is it safe to cook with rainwater?
Is it safe to use rainwater as an ingredient versus tap water - or even cooking things in it like pasta? Would there be any differences in measurements or cooking times - the thought being that there ...
17
votes
5answers
9k views
How safe is steak tartare?
How safe is steak tartare?
What can I do when preparing it make sure it is safe to eat?
17
votes
4answers
833 views
How to wash vegetables without running water?
I live in a subtropical climate where most people cook vegetables, rather than eat them raw, so when making green salads, I must be careful to ensure that everything is clean. I have seen ...
17
votes
4answers
2k views
How do you properly clean a cutting board and knife to prevent cross contamination?
I have one very nice cutting board that I like to use with my chef's knife. Because I only use this single cutting board and chef's knife, if I have a recipe that calls for cutting raw meat as well ...
17
votes
5answers
13k views
How long can hard cheeses last in a refrigerator?
I had chunks of various hard cheeses, mostly parmesan, in my refrigerator for varying lengths of time. Some as long as 3+ months.
I've never seen any obvious signs of spoilage and have never been ...
16
votes
2answers
3k views
Do I need to pre-cook bacon when adding it to a quiche?
I've got a quiche recipe that requires me to use bacon but it's not clear on whether or not I should cook the bacon before adding it to the quiche.
The quiche is to be cooked at 180C for 25 mins so ...
16
votes
1answer
2k views
Garlic turning green?
When I try to make garlic bread or, in general, something where the garlic is not in a liquid, it sometimes turns green while cooking! It's worth noting that the taste doesn't seem to really be "off", ...
16
votes
4answers
23k views
How to keep my (deep frying) oil usable as long as possible?
I have a new deep fryer. I am pleased with its results so far. I am not a 'heavy user' though - say once every 2-3 weeks. I want to re-use the oil a couple of times. The deep fryer is covered but not ...
15
votes
4answers
249k views
How long will uncooked chicken keep in the fridge?
My wife is obsessed about not leaving uncooked meats in the fridge longer than a day (esp. Chicken). If we buy chicken breast and we're not going to use them the next day, she'll put them in the ...
14
votes
6answers
3k views
Is Beer Can Chicken safe?
Some time ago I've read about Beer Can Chicken.
I've never heard of this in my area, but it seems (and looks) tasty! So I would like to give it a try. There is just one thing that worries me:
Is it ...
13
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it really necessary to wash a skillet that will be heated up again soon?
I made some eggs in a cast iron skillet yesterday and didn't wash the skillet. Today I want to make eggs again.
Is it really necessary for me to wash the skillet before making more eggs? It would ...
13
votes
1answer
1k views
Best chopping board material for meat
I've heard that using a wooden chopping board for cutting meat is not very hygienic as it is a porous material. If that is the case, then what would a chopping board ideally be made out of when ...
12
votes
4answers
9k views
Should maple syrup be stored in the refrigerator?
Is there any reason to store maple syrup in the refrigerator? It tastes better when it's a little warmer.
12
votes
1answer
3k views
How should I deal with blood released while thawing meat in the refrigerator?
Saturday I pulled a package of venison from my freezer to thaw and hope to make stroganoff with it tonight. However, this morning I noticed that the package (in a bowl) had really released a lot of ...
12
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it safe to eat mouldy bread?
Is it safe to eat mouldy bread, even after cutting away the moulded parts?
And how can you tell if the mould is harmless or toxic?
12
votes
4answers
6k views
Is it safe to cook wine or vinegar in cast iron?
I want to cook a beef brisket, following a recipe that suggests baking it on a bed of onions and red wine, or red wine vinegar. I'd like to use a cast iron dutch oven, but am concerned about the ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
What makes carrot bits turn green in carrot pineapple bread? (And are they safe?)
Sometimes, a couple of days after its cooked, the carrot bits inside a carrot pineapple bread turn green.
Normally, I'd assume that a food that doesn't start green and winds up that way is moldy, ...
12
votes
2answers
333 views
When should cutting boards be replaced?
From a food safety perspective, under what conditions should a plastic or wood cutting board be replaced?
I have a plastic one that developed a crack that goes through both sides of the board. I ...
12
votes
1answer
6k views
Does ketchup belong in the fridge, or the cupboard?
I'm hoping this will solve a biiig long-running debate I have with my friends. Heinz Tomato Ketchup (The UK version contains sugar from beets, rather than HFCS like the US version)
I tend to think ...
11
votes
7answers
10k views
Can you reuse marinade used with raw chicken?
I marinated chicken a couple weeks ago, and stored the marinade afterwards in a jar. Can it be reused, or is that dangerous? I've been told conflicting stories here. The marinade is mostly teriyaki if ...
11
votes
8answers
3k views
How do you put out a grease fire?
I recently had a grease fire (the pan caught on fire from a little fat that spilled over the skillet - is there a safe, quick way to put out a fire like this?
