New York City Food Protection Practice Test

What is one of the effective ways to cool food rapidly with stirring?

1. Immerge in boiling water

2. Place in a hot oven

3. Immerse in an ice-water bath

4. Use a microwave oven

The correct answer is: Immerse in an ice-water bath

Using an ice-water bath to cool food rapidly with stirring is a highly effective method because it creates a rapid and uniform cooling effect. When hot food is immersed in an ice-water bath, the cold temperature of the ice and water draws heat away from the food quickly, reducing its temperature to a safe level to prevent bacterial growth. Stirring the food while it is in the ice-water bath facilitates even cooling by helping to distribute the heat throughout the food. This method is particularly valuable for large batches of food that need to be cooled quickly, such as soups or stews, as it allows them to reach the proper storage temperature efficiently. Other methods listed, such as placing food in boiling water or a hot oven, would not effectively cool the food. Instead, they would continue to cook it or maintain a high temperature. Similarly, using a microwave oven is not practical for cooling food, as it is designed for heating and cooking rather than lowering temperatures.