Is it okay to cover food in the fridge with paper plates?
If I had some chicken and pasta on a ceramic plate and wanted to save the rest for later, when I put it in the fridge, is it fine to just cover it with a paper plate or should you use saran wrap?
Ideally, the paper plate is much more convenient and quicker to use, but I have concerns that the smell and taste may leak to other foods in the fridge.
How safe is it to use a paper plate to cover foods like this. If so, for how long? Usually I eat the food within the next day or two but am wondering how quick the process may be.
Best Answer
Ideally you should get airtight containers, but failing that, plastic wrap is indeed a lot better than just covering with a plate.
As you say, you'll tend to get more smells mixing around in the fridge if things aren't airtight, and it's something that can kind of build up over time, with the interior of the fridge just taking on a mix of all the smells. (Fridges can eventually smell weird even if you're not doing this.)
It's also not generally as good for the food; it'll dry out faster. Might not be an issue for everything, but sometimes it can be pretty obvious. It may also get contaminated a little more easily and spoil faster, but that's a little random, hard to say anything specific about time periods.
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Quick Answer about "Is it okay to cover food in the fridge with paper plates?"
Yes it is okay, you have a greater risk of cross contamination, but if you're careful you can negate those risks.What can I use to cover food in the fridge?
Covering foods in airtight boxes and bags or with a foil paper helps it to remain fresh for longer. The changes in color, smell, and taste for foods that were covered before putting into the fridge are less.Can you cover food with paper towel in fridge?
Using Paper Towels in Your Fridge Then, replace the paper towel every time you put in a new batch of produce. This makes sure your vegetables stay fresher longer. It keeps the crisper drawer clean, too.Does food in fridge need to be covered?
An unequivocal yes \u2013 food in the refrigerator should always be covered. Besides being prone to drying out or absorbing unpleasant odors, uncovered foods are susceptible to cross-contamination or dripping condensation. Foods you are storing in your refrigerator are best kept in airtight containers.Can You Microwave Paper Plates? WARNING FIRE HAZARD
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Answer 2
Yes it is okay, you have a greater risk of cross contamination, but if you're careful you can negate those risks.
As to how long foods can stay, it depends on the food item and the temperature of the food being placed into the fridge, also the temperature of the fridge. Most people give a rough 2-3 days, with the onus of checking the food appears safe when you take it out the fridge.
For example, raw fruit and vegetables that have been washed and/or cut can spoil/grow mold quickly.
Please check "Food Safety" information where you live, there are 'best practices' that can be followed.
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