Let it cool before you pack it

You should wait until hot food cools to near room temperature before putting it into a regular lunch box – unless you’re using a thermos built to keep things hot.

Two things go wrong when you seal hot food in an airtight container. First, steam turns to condensation, which soaks into your food and makes it soggy. Nobody wants a wet sandwich or limp rice. Second, if you’re refrigerating that lunch box, the hot container raises the temperature inside the fridge, putting your other food in the danger zone.

The safe move is to cool the food quickly. Spread it out on a plate or shallow pan for 15-20 minutes, then pack it. If you’re packing it the night before, refrigerate it right after it stops steaming.

Want it hot at lunchtime? That’s what insulated thermoses are for. Preheat the thermos with boiling water, dump that, then fill it with hot food. That’s the only time hot food goes straight in.

Cool it first. Your lunch will taste better, and your fridge will stay safe.