A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

A person is cleaning a reddish-orange spill inside a refrigerator using a scrub brush and a bowl of water. Some food items, like eggs, milk, and condiments, have been removed and sit on the counter. The refrigerator shelves hold strawberries, jars, and bottles, creating a tidy but active cleaning scene.

761. Cleaning the Fridge With Water Only

April 21, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cleaning refrigerator shelves using water only.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Domestic and Indoor Microbiology - ScienceDirect
Surface Sanitation and Microbiological Food Quality of a University Foodservice Operation
Domestic Refrigeration Practices with Emphasis on Hygiene: Analysis of a Survey and Consumer Recommendations - ScienceDirect
Microbiological Safety of Domestic Refrigerators and the Dishcloths Used To Clean Them in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - ScienceDirect

DALL·E - Imagine a kitchen scene where an open refrigerator is the focal point. Inside the refrigerator, the bottom drawer is vividly filled with an assortment raw meats sitting in salty water.

599. Brining Meat in a Refrigerator Drawer

April 08, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of brining meat in a refrigerator drawer without secondary containment.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

I tried to get a little creative and I told DALL·E to hide the episode number 599 somewhere in the picture, but I couldn't find it. Then I asked DALL·E to indicate the number with a red arrow and this image was the result. If you can find the number in the original image, the first one to prove it to me via the contact us link gets to pick an episode topic!

DALL·E - dial thermometer with the needle around 2.5C, in an area between 0 and 3C labelled "DANGER".

560. Exposing Mark's Elderly Parents to Very Cold Food

January 08, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks implied by a refrigerator thermometer should the refrigerator get too cold.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

429. TikTok Fridge-Decorating Trend

March 08, 2023 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of decorating the inside of your refrigerator.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

People Are Up In Arms About This TikTok Fridge-Decorating Trend

296. Pastor Pinkston's Putrid (?) Pork

May 02, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of Pastor Pinkston's pork chops. forgotten in the refrigerator for two weeks.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

295. Baked Refrigerated Dough After Five Days in the Refrigerator

April 29, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating baked refrigerated raw dough after five days in the refrigerator.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

199. Exploding Strawberry Jars

September 17, 2021 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from storing sealed mason jars of washed strawberries in the refrigerator.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

22: Open Fridge for Two Hours

July 31, 2020 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving your refrigerator open for two hours.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼

Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

3: Out of Date Ravioli

February 04, 2020 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben discus the risky posed by consumption of Mushroom Ravioli that is several weeks past it’s use by date.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Screen Shot 2020-01-12 at 2.03.57 PM.png

2: Refrigerated Grease

February 01, 2020 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and regular co-host Professor Chapman discuss the risks posed by the long term storage of refrigerated cooking grease.