Hot dishes can be put directly into the refrigerator. Many people are worried that putting hot dishes directly into the refrigerator will damage the refrigerator. In fact, the refrigerator refrigeration efficiency is greatly improved, although the hot dishes put in the refrigerator will slightly increase the burden on the refrigerator, will also consume a little more electricity, but all in the normal operation of the refrigerator range. Rather than bacterial growth leads to food spoilage, spend this more electricity is not a pity, after all, safety is the most important.

The best way to prevent bacteria from growing is to put the food in the fridge while it's still hot. Of course, putting it in while it's hot doesn't mean putting it in when it's just out of the pot and very hot. You can put it in a plastic container or bag, let it sit at room temperature for a while, and then put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold or frozen until it's no less than 60 degrees Celsius (it feels hot, but doesn't burn).

Expanded:

When the temperature of a typical meal starts to drop after it's been prepared, bacteria start to "move in". Research has found that when the temperature of the food drops to 60 ℃, bacteria begin to grow; the temperature drops to 30 ℃ to 40 ℃, bacteria will be very happy, exuberant reproduction; down to 4 ℃, most of the bacteria stop, into a dormant state.

Therefore, 4℃~60℃ is also known as the "dangerous temperature band" of food. The food should be cooled down to below 4℃ as soon as possible in order to avoid the proliferation of bacteria. The World Health Organization also recommends that food be stored at room temperature for no more than two hours.

People's Daily Online -- Keep meals in the fridge while they're still hot