Final answer:
To hot hold food, it needs to be reheated to a minimum temperature of 135°F (57°C) or higher. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature before serving.
Step-by-step explanation:
To hot hold food, it needs to be reheated to a minimum temperature of 135°F (57°C) or higher. This temperature is important because it prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and ensures the food is safe to eat. When reheating food, it's best to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature before serving. For example, if you have a 1 kg burrito with an initial temperature of 5°C and you want to heat it to 75°C, you can calculate the time needed using the specific heat capacity and microwave power:
- First, calculate the energy needed using the specific heat capacity formula: E = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change. In this case, it would be E = 1000 g x 3000 J/kg/°C x (75°C - 5°C).
- Next, calculate the time needed using the formula: time = energy / power. In this case, it would be time = E / 700 W.
- Plug in the values and solve for time to find the required microwave time.