Foods in cans are convenient, durable, and adaptable. But like many foods, they end up in landfills due to improper storage. As a result, many people often ask questions like, can you put unopened cans in the fridge?
Yes is the quickest response to this. However, it is preferable to keep them in a dry, cool location, like a cupboard.
You should read this article if you want to reduce canned food waste and learn how to properly extend canned food shelf life.
It will help you understand why, while keeping unopened cans in the refrigerator is acceptable, it may not be the best idea.
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Can you put unopened cans in the fridge?
You can, indeed. But that depends on the type of content you have got inside the can. For instance, canned drinks should be kept in the refrigerator so that you can enjoy them. However, this should only last a short while.
Nevertheless, it is best to keep commercially canned food that has not been opened in a cool, dry environment (such as in a cupboard).
Can you store opened cans in the fridge?
Because iron and tin in open metal cans can permeate into the food, tarnish the flavor, and occasionally have harmful effects on health, you shouldn’t try to store opened cans in the refrigerator.
If the food is highly acidic, like fruits and tomatoes, keeping open cans in the refrigerator is especially risky.
Can you put unopened cans of tuna in the fridge?
Yes, you can, but only temporarily. The best choice is to convert canned food into a refrigerator-safe container.
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Can you put opened canned fruit in the fridge?
Yes, food from canned goods should be kept in the refrigerator after being opened but for a while.
Foods like vinegar-based sauces, tomato products, juice, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, and other high-acid canned goods can be kept for five to seven days only and not more.
Why can’t you put open cans in the fridge?
Because when opened it can be hurtful to health. Cans are made from irons and metals, which can go into food if opened and stored in the fridge for a long time.
How long can you keep canned fruit in the fridge?
You can keep canned fruit in the refrigerator, but only for a short while. For the best quality, use closed canned fruit within 18 months.
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Tin poisoning canned food
Food that has been bottled, particularly home-canned produce, may have a microorganism that is unphased by cooking and can expand without oxygen. Botulism, a rare but fatal food poisoning, is brought on by this bacterium.
Although it won’t result in botulism or food poisoning, archiving open food canisters in your refrigerator will alter the taste of the food.
Food poisoning is only possible if the can shows obvious signs of damage, such as odorous contents, gouges, leaks, or protrusions.
How to store canned food after opening
Here are ways to keep your opened canned goods stored for just a while longer.
1. Use an airtight packaging
Foods in cans can keep for a very long time if they are sealed. This is because, the iron and tin from these cans will disintegrate into the food, offering it a metallic taste if these opened foods are kept chilled in their original packaging.
Simply repackaging food in a sealable container and keeping them chilled to support its freshness will solve this problem.
2. Hold onto the fluid and brine
Don’t throw away the liquid or brine from your canned food after you’ve opened it. Instead, move it along with the food into an airtight container. As a result, the food will stay fresher for a longer period and keep its flavor and texture.
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3. Place it on the back side of the refrigerator
Low temperatures are also crucial but storing food in sealed containers helps prevent air from spoiling it in many ways.
The shelf life of canned foods can be increased by keeping them in the back of the refrigerator, where it’s coldest.
Additionally, this prevents them from being subjected to temperature changes each time the fridge door is opened.
FAQs
Is it safe to use cans that freeze accidentally?
It might not be safe to eat food in cans that unintentionally freeze, particularly ones left in a car or attics in below-freezing temperatures.
On the other hand, a frozen can that hasn’t thawed and isn’t swollen can be defrosted and used safely in the fridge. Throw away frozen cans that have defrosted at 40 °F or more but are not swollen.
Cans that have been frozen and then thawed are dangerous. Throw away a product if it doesn’t appear or smell as it should.
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Is it safe to use food from dented cans?
Food in a can that has a slight dent but is still intact ought to be safe to eat. However, cans with significant dents should be discarded.
You can stick your finger into a deep ding. Sharp points are frequent in deep dents. Sharp dents can damage the seam and let bacteria into the can if they occur on either the top or side seams. Throw away any can with a seam that has a deep ding.
Is it safe to use rusted canned foods?
No, it isn’t. Strongly rusted cans should be thrown away. Heavy rusting cans may have microscopic holes that let bacteria inside. It’s not a big deal if the surface rust can be cleaned up with a paper towel or your finger.
These canned goods are safe to keep. Do not eat the food if you open the cans and find any rust inside. The iron that has oxidized is not safe to consume.
How should canned goods be stored?
Keep them somewhere clean, chilly, dark, and dry. Jars should not be stored above 95°F. A furnace, a range, an unventilated attic, or the sun are all bad places to display items.
Food will start to lose quality and spoil in these circumstances after a few months or weeks.
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Conclusion
Food cans tend to erode and rust in damp places because they are primarily made of iron and metal. You can only keep them in the fridge for a short time as a result.
Additionally, some bottled food products may need to be refrigerated depending on the type of food. But then, to prevent health problems, you shouldn’t keep vinegary produce in the refrigerator, especially when it’s open.
The best place for canned goods to grow is in a cool environment without direct sunlight, where they won’t necessarily get cold.
This is the best way to keep unopened cans fresh; however, if they have been opened, it is best to transfer them to another canister and refrigerate them.
Thanks for reading.
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