Can You Put Tin Cans in the Fridge?

Taste/Flavor

• The tin from tin cans will be absorbed by food, and the longer the food stays in the fridge, the greater the flavor transfer. When you reheat the food for use, you may notice the tin flavor. There's nothing dangerous about the metallic flavor, but it probably doesn't enhance the flavors of your dish. The only way to avoid this is to avoid storing food in tin. Additionally, oxygen from the air can react with the metal can to change the flavor of your food. Acidic foods like tomato stored in tin cans will discolor when refrigerated.

Time Frame

• You can keep food refrigerated in tin cans for one day without the metallic flavor transferring to the food. If you use part of a can of black beans for breakfast burritos and plan to use the remainder of the cans for a bean salad that night, it's fine to refrigerate the can as is. For longer time periods, change out the container.

Storage

• Plastic or glass containers keep food well and do not transfer flavors into the food. To ensure a consistent taste and flavor to cooked dishes or canned vegetables, soups or beans, transfer the unused portion of the dish to these containers instead.

Safety

• Metal and tin cans are designed to keep food safe from bacteria and spoiling. Your canned goods will be fine on the shelf, and they will not develop bacteria or spoil while refrigerated. However, due to the loss of flavor and color, refrigerating tin cans isn't recommended.