Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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The image shows a professor in a lab coat and glasses, using a tip-sensitive digital thermometer to measure the temperature at the center of a container of vegetarian chili. The chili is on a refrigerator shelf in a home kitchen, with the fridge open, revealing various food items.

732. Don's Slow Cooling Veggie Chili

February 12, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of slow cooling vegetarian chili.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • FSIS Stabilization Guideline for Meat and Poultry Products (Revised Appendix B) December, 2021
  • Cooling Uncovered Foods at a Depth of ∼5.1 cm (2 in.) or Less Poses Little Risk of Pathogen Growth - ScienceDirect
  • FDA Food Code | FDA
  • Cooling Rates of Chili Using Refrigerator, Blast Chiller, and Chill Stick Cooling Methods


February 12, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cooling, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus

382. Don's Condolences Chili

November 18, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks posed by a pot full of warm chili delivered by well-meaning family friends when no one was home.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Obituary for Willliam Robert Schaffner | Ness-Sibley Funeral Home
  • Growth of Clostridium perfringens in cooked chili during cooling | Applied and Environmental Microbiology
  • Thermal Inactivation of Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin in Buffer and in Chicken Gravy - 1982 - Journal of Food Science - Wiley Online Library
November 18, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Clostridium perfringens, Cooling, Temperature control

354. Max's Mom's Borscht

September 14, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of cooling Max's mom cooling uncovered borscht on the counter before refrigerating.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • 344. Max's Unwashed Basil β€” Risky or Not?
  • 349. Refrigerating Food in Joshes Weird Tall Cup β€” Risky or Not?
  • WAC 246-215-03515:
  • Borscht - Wikipedia
  • Who really owns borsch? - BBC Travel
  • Vigor Stainless Steel Stock Pot (20 Qt.): WebstaurantStore
  • Beet Kvass - Fermented Beet Juice [RECIPE!] | Polonist
September 14, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Borscht, Cooling

303. Eight Pounds of Pad Thai Leftovers

May 18, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eight pounds of pad thai leftovers brought home from a work event.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • K Brooke Golisch, MD on Twitter: "Hypothetically if one took home an approximately 8 lb tin of leftover pad thai from a work event on Thursday, what would the latest possible day one could eat it and probably not get sick?" / Twitter
  • Don Schaffner 🦠 on Twitter: "@BrooketheOstomy What are the dimensions of the tin?" / Twitter
  • Jacobsen's Danish Butter Cookies | World Market
  • 15 cups to liters
May 18, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Leftovers, Cooling

226. Putting Hot Food in the Fridge With a Lid

November 19, 2021 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from putting hot food in the fridge with a lid.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Merch β€” Risky or Not?
  • Snoop Dogg wants you to read your college syllabus I Cameo - YouTube
  • corky on Twitter: "@benjaminchapman @bugcounter This video says it’s risky to put hot food in the fridge if you use a lid, but fine if you don’t use a lid. Is that true? #RiskyOrNot? https://t.co/grPBCLzDB7" / Twitter
  • Cooling Foods in School Foodservice Operations Summary Report
  • Influence of Four Retail Food Service Cooling Methods on the Behavior of Clostridium perfringens ATCC 10388 in Turkey Roasts following Heating to an Internal Temperature of 74Β°C | Journal of Food Protection
  • Quantitative Data Analysis To Determine Best Food Cooling Practices in U.S. Restaurants
  • O. Pete Snyder, food safety rock star | barfblog
November 19, 2021 /Don Schaffner
Cooling, Cross-contamination, Clostridium perfringens

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