Safety is a priority when storing and handling food. Any institution that contains food must have a well-functioning storage area. Food storage is most common in restaurants. Restaurants have a large number of different kinds of food. It could be meat, fully-cooked, leftovers, cereals, raw veggies, or even drinks. Storing them is one of the most critical and necessary things. When we talk about storing food, the first thing that comes across our mind is freezing them in stainless steel undercounter freezer. You did not know that, but restaurants use many other methods to store food depending on the type of food. There are many ways you can try to extend the longevity of your food. Before we start, you must know that you should never store different food in the same container to prevent cross-contamination. Now let’s get to our topic and explore five methods restaurants use to store food.
1. Freezing:
The first method on the list is none other than freezing. It is also the most common method to store food. The first thing you need to do before freezing is to make sure that it is clean and dry. Then place in an airtight container. Remember that you should never store your food in a container that is not airtight. Moisture and air must not enter your box to keep it fresh. The temperature of the freezer should be at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius.
2. Chilling:
The next method we are going to introduce to you is chilling. It is the second most popular method of storing food. There is not much difference between freezing and refrigerating the food. We freeze food when we need to preserve it for a long time (for a few months). But when we need to store them for a short time (for a few weeks), we use a refrigerator. The temperature to store food in the fridge should be around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Canning:
After chilling, let’s talk about canning. It is a process to store food in heat sterilized containers. Cans are containers of tin-plated sheets of iron that helps to preserve food for a long time. You can also use aluminum cans to store food. You can try this process to conserve beans, tuna, peas, or corn.
4. Dry Storage:
Most people practice this method to store dry food that does not need a low temperature to stay fresh for a long time. You can use this method to store cereals, rice, flour, and other packaged food that do not require temperature control. Make sure that the area is clean and protected from direct sunlight and moisture.
5. Salting:
This method to store food is not very common, but it is still a worthy method. In this method, you preserve food in a brine solution (salt + water solution) to keep it fresh. The salt in the brine draws out water from the food and stops bacterial growth.