While Jello is easy to acquire, easy to make, and easy to eat, Jello can be quite tricky to store, especially if you make too many Jello desserts, and the Jello desserts no longer fit in the fridge.
In case you run out of room in your fridge or you have to travel with your Jello desserts, you might be wondering if Jello will survive out of the fridge. Here is what I discovered!
Can You Leave Jello Out Of The Fridge?
Leaving Jello out of the fridge will expose the Jello to moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Consequently, the Jello will deteriorate and show signs of spoilage. Even in winter, it is not advisable to store Jello out of the fridge. While the Jello can be set at room temperature, expect the Jello to have a short shelf life.
If you are interested to learn more about the shelf life of Jello outside the fridge and what alternative storing options are available to your Jello, keep reading!
How Long Can Jello Stay Out The Fridge?
Determining the shelf life of Jello outside the fridge depends on several factors. Some of those factors are the Jello recipe you used and the nature of the Jello’s environment.
If the Jello is in a cool, shaded corner of the room and is sealed in an airtight container, the Jello could stay in good condition for a handful of hours.
However, if the Jello is exposed to moisture and direct light and heat, the Jello will start deteriorating within a couple of hours.
In both instances, the fluctuating temperature can cause the water to separate from the gelatin and for bacteria to develop on the surface of the Jello.
How Long Does Jello Stay Solid At Room Temperature?
How long Jello will remain solid at room temperature depends on the type of Jello you use, the recipe you follow, and the average temperature in the room.
Generally, the bigger the volume of the Jello, the longer the Jello will stay solid at room temperature.
However, even if the Jello is large you will notice the surface and the sides of the Jello begin to change consistency only after a couple of hours.
Can I Leave Jello Out Of The Fridge Overnight?
Leaving Jello out of the fridge overnight is not advisable. When Jello is exposed to fluctuating temperatures, the Jello can melt and show signs of spoilage.
Even if the Jello looks and tastes good, you can expect that the Jello is no longer completely safe to eat if the Jello has been left out of the fridge for too long.
As per the FDA, you can only put most food that needs refrigeration out of the fridge for a maximum of two hours. Beyond that, the food might be unsafe to consume.
Does Prepared Jello Need To Be Refrigerated?
Prepared Jello needs to be refrigerated or else the Jello will deteriorate. For the Jello to retain its shape, the Jello needs to be in a cool environment.
Apart from storing prepared Jello in the fridge, the Jello must be in an airtight container to prevent any moisture and odor from affecting the quality of your Jello.
Can Jello Be Left Unrefrigerated?
Dry Jello does not need to be refrigerated and dry Jello has to be kept in a cool, dry place so that it can still be used past its expiration date.
As for prepared Jello, it depends whether the Jello is homemade or store-bought.
Homemade Jello must always be refrigerated to extend its shelf life. As for store-bought Jello, you have to take note of whether the Jello was stored on the shelf or the refrigerated area.
For ready-to-eat Jello that is stored on store shelves, you can simply leave ready-to-eat Jello in your pantry. Otherwise, you have to refrigerate the Jello as soon as you get home.
Will Jello Set At Room Temperature?
Jello will be set at room temperature but the setting time will typically exceed four hours, and the Jello will not be as firm as Jello that has been allowed to be set in the fridge.
Technically, the setting temperature of Jello depends on the brand and the recipe you used. However, most Jello that uses that standard recipe can be set at a room temperature of 20°C.
What Happens If You Do Not Refrigerate Jelly After Opening?
If you do not refrigerate Jello after opening, you will speed up the process of spoilage. Additionally, neglecting to reseal the Jello’s container will expose the Jello to bacteria.
This is why it is best to refrigerate any prepared Jello you cannot finish and to store the Jello in an airtight container at all times, even in the fridge.
How Do You Keep Jello Cold Outside?
There are several ways you can keep Jello cold outside and the first is by storing Jello in a cooler or a bowl filled with ice cubes.
Once you are ready to serve the Jello, transfer the Jello to a plate that has been chilled in the freezer. Additionally, it is best to serve only small amounts of Jello at a time.
Does Jello Go In The Fridge Or Freezer?
Jello must always go in the fridge, not the freezer. If you store the Jello in the freezer, the Jello’s properties will be damaged, and it will not be the same once thawed.
Moreover, freezing Jello does nothing to prolong the Jello’s shelf life. Freezing Jello might shorten the Jello’s lifespan by ruining the Jello’s taste and texture.
How Long Does Jello With Fruit Last In The Fridge?
Jello with fruits will last in the fridge for only a couple of days. Generally, this is because fruits spoil faster than Jello, and once the fruits spoil, the Jello is inevitably affected.
Nevertheless, the rate at which the Jello with fruits will deteriorate depends on the presence of any additional ingredients like milk and how you store the Jello.
Take a look at our other articles to discover how to make strong Jello shots, if Jello is the same as gelatin, and all the Jello flavors.
Conclusion
To prolong the shelf life of Jello and keep the Jello in good condition, it is best to store the Jello in the fridge. Otherwise, the Jello will be exposed to elements that will induce spoilage.
Moreover, you have to keep the Jello in an airtight container at all times and make sure that the Jello is consumed in less than a week.
Even if Jello can last in the fridge for ten days, you can expect that the Jello’s quality will be at its best within the first couple of days after preparing the Jello.