Cooking Tips — little secrets from the pros
Why does rice turn out fluffy, why won’t dough rise, why does meat get tough? 2163 tips tested by chefs and the community — sorted into categories and explained one by one.
All Tips
2,163 tips listed
How to Keep a Freezer Inventory
A freezer inventory is a one-page list of every package that goes in, with a mark beside each package that comes out. Hang it on the outside of the door, becaus...
Can You Refreeze Food After Thawing and Cooking It?
Raw food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen after it is cooked; cooking is an intermediate step that creates a different product, so the time clock star...
What Is the Refrigerator Crisper Drawer For, and How Do You Use Its Humidity Control?
A refrigerator crisper is an enclosed drawer with a slider in its cover to control humidity: with the slider closed, humid air stays inside; with it open, air e...
Can You Freeze an Opened Can?
Opened canned food can be frozen, but never in its original metal can; transfer the contents to a glass or plastic container. Once the can is opened, the tin la...
What Should and Shouldn’t Be Stored in the Refrigerator Door?
The refrigerator door shelves are the warmest part of the fridge and have the most temperature fluctuations; they are the first place exposed to room air every...
How Long Does a Refrigerator Stay Cold During a Power Outage?
An unopened refrigerator compartment keeps food in the safe range for 4 hours; a full freezer keeps food frozen for 48 hours and a half-full freezer for 24 hour...
How to Get Rid of Odors in the Refrigerator
The first step in getting rid of a refrigerator odor is to find and remove its source; any cleaning done while the source remains will be undone within a few da...
How Full Should You Keep Your Refrigerator?
A refrigerator works efficiently when the shelves are stocked but air can still flow around every container. As a practical guideline, fill about three-quarters...
How to Remove Air from a Freezer Bag
The most effective way to remove air from a bag without a vacuum sealer is the water displacement method: leave the zipper bag open and slowly lower it into a c...
What Does the Star (★) Symbol on a Freezer Mean?
The stars on freezer compartments indicate the lowest temperature each compartment can reach and, therefore, how long it can keep food. 1 star indicates −6°C /...
Why Should Foil Not Be Used with Acidic Food?
When aluminum foil stays in contact with acidic foods such as tomatoes, lemon, vinegar, and pomegranate molasses for a long time, its surface corrodes; it can l...
What Is the Difference Between a Gas and Electric Oven?
In a gas oven, heat comes from a burning flame, and combustion also releases some moisture; in an electric oven, heat comes from an element, and the air is drie...