Topic: re-heating rice

[jb]

Whilst waiting for yet another takeaway I just happened to watch a programme on BBC1 called Jimmy's Foods.For anyone who hasn't seen it the guy takes supermarket foods and tries to replicate the cooking techniques at home.Anyway he started to talk about rice and showed how they cook large amount of rice in factories for supermarket curries etc.The thing that caught my notice is that he said that you should NEVER reheat rice that has been allowed to cool down at room temperature.There is a particular bacteria that develops in pre- cooked rice that cannot be eliminated even when it is completely re-heated.The thing is I saw this done on my takeaway lesson and obviously it's standard practice amongst restaurants so is he correct or I am missing something?

[Stephen Lindsay]

I've reheated rice hundreds of times and never had a problem but It's always been cooled down and put in the fridge (or freezer), plus I only reheat a batch of rice once.

[commis]

Hi
Jb, bit of a mine field,rice cooked and chilled quickly is ok. Rice that sits and bacterium grows! The heat will kill the bacteria but not the poison they secrete.
Regards

[jb]

Hi
Jb, bit of a mine field,rice cooked and chilled quickly is ok. Rice that sits and bacterium grows! The heat will kill the bacteria but not the poison they secrete.
Regards

Mmmm got me even more confused so if I cook some rice and then put it immediately in the fridge(even when it's still hot)it will be ok??? I've never had problems eating reheated rice myself but it got me thinking,other people have told me never to reheat rice either.

[Stephen Lindsay]

yup you'll be fine in my experience

[emin-j]

Most Indian T/A precook Rice then reheat  :

[Stephen Lindsay]

Most Indian T/A precook Rice then reheat  :

to be honest I've never even thought about what they do with their rice, as stupid as that sounds but of course they must do!

[CurryCrazy]

As commis said - it's the secretion from the bacteria spores ( Bacillus cereus) that's poisonous    mmmm tasty  ;D

This only happens when rice is left at room temp (the spores germinate in much the same way as yeast).

Cool in a fridge within 1 hour, and make sure piping hot when reheated. DON'T leave in fridge for more than 24 hours.

I used to own a pub/restaurant - didn't want any nasty things going on!!

Just about every food outlet/restaurant will reheat rice. (imagine cooking a portion of rice fresh for every order! the time and space required....impossible)

CC

[jb]

As commis said - it's the secretion from the bacteria spores ( Bacillus cereus) that's poisonous    mmmm tasty  ;D

This only happens when rice is left at room temp (the spores germinate in much the same way as yeast).

Cool in a fridge within 1 hour, and make sure piping hot when reheated. DON'T leave in fridge for more than 24 hours.

I used to own a pub/restaurant - didn't want any nasty things going on!!

Just about every food outlet/restaurant will reheat rice. (imagine cooking a portion of rice fresh for every order! the time and space required....impossible)

CC

That makes sense now,the guy didn't really explain it like that all he said was don't reheat rice and that was that...cheers for the explanation.

[guitarmanguitar]

I've left cooked rice on the cooker overnight.

Frozen it the following day.
Then reheated it. Putting it into a cullender, with a lid on, with a small amount of water simmering underneath to steam reheat it.

Still alive, & kicking, never had any ill side effects.

Carl...