Why do vegetables that are kept fresh in the refrigerator quickly grow mold? Why do vegetables that are kept fresh in the refrigerator become moldy?

We all know that the temperature of the refrigerator is relatively low, which can play a good role in preserving food. Many people put vegetables in the refrigerator to keep them fresh, which can extend the shelf life of the food and prevent them from spoiling. Some people put vegetables in the refrigerator to keep them fresh, and they will find that the vegetables will mold quickly. So why do vegetables kept in the refrigerator quickly mold? Let's take a closer look!

Why do vegetables kept in the refrigerator quickly grow mold?

The first situation: The temperature of the refrigerator compartment is set too high

Many people plug in their refrigerators and use them directly after buying them. Some refrigerators have very reasonable setting parameters before leaving the factory and can be used just by turning them on. However, some refrigerators may require us to set the storage temperature ourselves. Generally, the temperature of the vegetable storage room above should be set at 1 to 2 degrees. Too high a temperature will easily cause mold to grow.

The second situation: there are pollutants in the refrigerator

The upper storage room is generally used to store vegetables, leftovers, etc. for a short time. Sometimes the spilled soup and rice grains do not attract our attention. Over time, these fallen foods will become moldy. If they are not cleaned up in time, they will contaminate some of the vegetables that have just been put in. Therefore, when using the refrigerator, be careful not to have fallen soup and other foods and clean the refrigerator regularly.

The third situation: pollution caused by refrigerator strips

The rubber strips used for sealing are generally not easy to notice. If used for a long time, these rubber strips will be stained with various food residues, and will become moldy over time, thus contaminating the food and vegetables in the refrigerator. Because the rubber strips are on the edge of the refrigerator, they are easy to ignore and once the rubber strips are dirty, it is very difficult to clean them. At this time, we need to mix white vinegar, white wine and baking soda in appropriate amounts, and then use them to wipe the refrigerator rubber strips, which can clean the rubber strips very cleanly.

The fourth situation: plastic wrap is not used

In addition to the above situations, we try to use plastic wrap when preserving vegetables. Plastic wrap can not only prevent the food in the refrigerator from tainting each other's flavors, but also prevent the spread of pollution and keep vegetables fresher. It is recommended to use it.

In summary, we should always pay attention to the cleanliness of the refrigerator when using it, and adjust the refrigerator storage room and freezer to a reasonable temperature to better preserve our fresh vegetables. In addition, vegetables and leftovers should not be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. If problems are found, they should be disposed of in time to avoid contamination of other foods. If conditions permit, try to use plastic wrap, and vegetables and leftovers can be wrapped in plastic wrap bags.

Misconceptions about keeping food fresh in the refrigerator

1. Put hot dishes directly into the refrigerator

Why do we have to wait until the food is cool before putting it in the refrigerator? The main reason why the refrigerator can keep food fresh is because most bacteria are inactive at low temperatures, not because the refrigerator can kill bacteria! If you put hot food in the refrigerator, the local temperature of the refrigerator will rise, which will not only consume more electricity, but more importantly, it will cause dormant bacteria to start to reproduce again.

Then, as mentioned in the title, the mold spots on preserved vegetables may also be caused by this reason.

Solution: Prepared dishes should be placed in the refrigerator and must be cooled to room temperature outside before being put back in.

2. Putting food in the refrigerator is not the end of the story. The refrigerator can extend the shelf life, but it does not mean that it can keep food fresh forever.

As I just said, refrigerators can only use low temperatures to inhibit bacterial growth, but bacteria still reproduce, just very slowly at low temperatures. In addition, we usually open and close the refrigerator door, which will also promote bacterial growth.

So I don't know how fast the "very soon" mentioned in the title is? It is best to eat the dishes in the refrigerator as soon as possible. If you want to extend the shelf life, some foods can be stored in the freezer. For example, we freeze some cake bases, mousse, butter, etc. when baking, which can extend the shelf life. However, you still need to pay attention to the time of putting them in the refrigerator and sort them out regularly, so as not to forget some "foods put in the corner".

3. Food is not stored in separate areas

When storing food, raw and cooked food should be separated as much as possible, and meat, vegetables and fruits should also be placed separately. Nowadays, many refrigerators also have special storage spaces designed for different foods, which makes it more convenient to use.

If raw meat and vegetables are placed together, contamination is inevitable, especially when raw meat is placed, blood will easily seep out and contaminate foods such as vegetables or fruits.

Solution: Make more use of layers, or use different sized plastic bags and boxes to store food separately.

4. There is too much food in the refrigerator and no space

Some people like to fill their refrigerators with food, and they may buy enough food for several days. The refrigerator still needs air circulation. If the food is too full, it will affect the refrigeration of the refrigerator, and there will be dead corners and the temperature of some parts will not meet the requirements, thus causing the food to spoil.

Therefore, it is recommended that you do not stockpile too much food, and try to buy fruits and vegetables and eat them on the same day.

5. Repeated thawing

If the purchased meat needs to be stored for a long time, it is best to divide it into small portions and pack it in fresh-keeping boxes. One portion is the amount for one meal. When you want to eat it, just take out one portion to thaw. Don't take out a large piece of meat to thaw, and then put the unfinished meat back into the refrigerator to freeze. In this way, bacteria are very easy to multiply.

How many days can you keep fresh food in the refrigerator?

When you buy vegetables, they may not be very fresh. They can only be kept fresh in the refrigerator for about two days at most. If they are kept for longer, they will definitely not be fresh. If they are kept too long, they will naturally get moldy. I suggest that you check whether the vegetables are fresh when you buy them. If they are fresh, they can be kept in the refrigerator for two days. If they are not fresh, it is best not to buy them. In other words, do not put them in the refrigerator after you buy them. Cook them at home. Otherwise, if they are not fresh when you buy them, they will definitely get moldy when you put them in the refrigerator. It is best to buy any vegetables in moderation and try not to put them in the refrigerator. Even if you buy fresh vegetables, they will go bad if you keep them in the refrigerator for a long time. Try not to put them in the refrigerator. For the sake of everyone's health, try to put them in the refrigerator as little as possible.