When letting a stew cool down do you leave lid on or off?

Here's why:

* Safety: Leaving the lid on traps steam and heat, making it take longer to cool down. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially leading to food poisoning.

* Preventing Condensation: Leaving the lid off allows the steam to escape, preventing condensation from forming on the lid and dripping back into the stew, which can dilute the flavor.

However, there are some exceptions:

* Preventing drying out: If your stew has a lot of exposed liquid, you might want to leave the lid slightly ajar to prevent it from drying out too much while cooling.

* Speeding up cooling: If you need to cool the stew quickly, you can place it in a large bowl or on a baking sheet to increase surface area and facilitate faster cooling.

Important note: Always make sure the stew cools down to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.