Before being stored, a stock must be cooled to at least what temperature?

• A. 35 Degrees F
• B. 30 Degrees F
• C. 40 Degrees F
• D. 45 Degrees F

Answer: (A)

Cooling stock quickly to a temperature well below the refrigeration limit is essential to prevent bacterial growth once it’s stored. Safe practice is to bring hot stock down to the cold-hold range before placing it in storage, and reaching the mid-30s Fahrenheit gives a comfortable margin inside the accepted storage zone. Dropping to 35°F ensures it’s already safely cold when it goes into the fridge, reducing risk if the appliance fluctuates and meets standard safe-storage guidelines. Warmer temps, like 45°F, stay too close to the danger zone; 40°F is within bounds but offers less margin; 30°F is colder than needed for storage and could cause handling or equipment issues. So cooling to 35°F before storing is the best target.