On 30 Apr 2006 17:39:55 -0700, wrote:

When I purchase a hot whole roasted chicken at a grocery store and
bring it home, should I immediately put it in the refrigerator or let
it cool down first? In the past I would put the entire chicken (in its
clear plastic container) in the refrigerator when I arrived home.

Looking around the Internet I see it is recommended to cut the chicken
into smaller pieces and then put the pieces in the refrigerator. The
smaller portions will cool faster.

Also, how many days will this chicken last in the refrigerator before I
should throw it away?

Any advice how to handle this situation is appreciated.

Terry

When we get it home I cut off anything we want to eat right away (it's
usually lunchtime or dinner time!) then the rest goes right into the
fridge in its container. No need to cut it up... it's usually only
lukewarm anyway. We try to eat the rest in 3 or 4 days and if it gets
to the end of day 5 and it's still sitting there I toss it in the
trash.