You can certainly put boiled water in the fridge once it has cooled to room temperature or lukewarm. The reason for not putting extremely hot or boiling water directly into the fridge is mainly for safety and efficiency.
Here are a few reasons to avoid placing boiling water directly in the fridge:
Safety: Placing boiling water in the fridge can increase the internal temperature of the fridge, potentially affecting the safety of other perishable foods stored inside. The sudden influx of hot air can also strain the refrigerator's cooling system and cause it to work harder to maintain a low temperature.
Energy Efficiency: Refrigerators are designed to maintain a specific temperature range for food preservation. Adding hot water can lead to temperature fluctuations, making the fridge work harder to return to the desired temperature. This extra workload can result in higher energy consumption.
Glass Shattering: Rapidly cooling boiling water can cause thermal shock to glass containers, leading to potential shattering. This can be hazardous and also create a mess in your refrigerator.
To safely cool down boiled water before placing it in the fridge, you can use one of the following methods:
- Allow it to cool at room temperature for some time until it reaches a lukewarm or safe-to-touch temperature.
- Place the container with the boiled water in a larger container filled with ice or cold water to speed up the cooling process.
- Use a kettle or pot with a lid and let it sit uncovered until it cools down.
Once the boiled water has cooled to a safe temperature, you can place it in the fridge without any concerns about safety or potential damage to the appliance.