What Is Two-Stage Cooling?

The required method for cooling cooked TCS food: from 135°F to 70°F within two hours, then from 70°F to 41°F within four more hours, for six hours total. The tight first stage matters because pathogens multiply fastest at the top of the danger zone.

Two-Stage Cooling across 2 exams

Two-Stage Cooling appears on the following exams. Each defines it in the context candidates are tested on:

ServSafe Manager
The required method for cooling cooked TCS food: from 135°F to 70°F within two hours, then from 70°F to 41°F within four more hours, for six hours total. The tight first stage matters because pathogens multiply fastest at the top of the danger zone.
ServSafe Food Handler
The required method for cooling cooked TCS food: from 135°F to 70°F within two hours, then from 70°F to 41°F within four more hours, for six hours total.