How many minutes should the food in the refrigerator be heated up

The food in the refrigerator usually needs to be heated for 3-5 minutes, depending on the type, amount, and heating method of the food. Heat rice on high heat in the microwave for about 3 minutes, and extend the cooking time for soups to 5 minutes; It takes 5-8 minutes for the water in the steamer to boil. Insufficient heating may lead to bacterial residue, while excessive heating can damage nutrients.

When using a microwave oven for heating, it is recommended to spread the food evenly and cover it with plastic wrap to leave a gap. Flip it over halfway to ensure even heating. Rice based foods have low water content and can typically reach a center temperature of over 75 degrees Celsius within 3 minutes; For foods with high liquid content such as stews and soups, the heating time needs to be extended to fully boil the inside. Refrigerated meat dishes require longer heating time than vegetables due to their tight protein structure.

In special circumstances, the heating duration needs to be adjusted. Frozen meals need to be thawed before heating, otherwise the outer layer will overheat while the inner layer will still freeze. Fried foods with extremely low moisture content can be heated for 1-2 minutes, excessive heating will harden them. Infant complementary foods should be heated in small batches for no more than 2 minutes each time, and the temperature should be tested after stirring. Instant food in sealed packaging should be processed according to the time indicated on the packaging, which is usually half the time compared to homemade meals.

It is recommended to consume immediately after heating and avoid repeated refrigeration and heating. Food thermometers can be used to detect the center temperature, and reaching 75 degrees Celsius can effectively kill common pathogenic bacteria. Different power devices require time adjustment, with a 700 watt microwave oven extending heating time by 30% compared to a 1000 watt device. Green leafy vegetables should not be excessively heated, and vitamins can be retained within 1-2 minutes. Shell eggs and sealed containers should be opened to prevent bursting before heating.