This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.

In this episode you will learn:

- Never thaw food at room temperature as its surface enters the Temperature Danger Zone (41°F-135°F) while the center remains frozen.

- Identify the four acceptable thawing methods: in a refrigerator, under cold running water (70°F or lower), in a microwave if cooked immediately, or as part of the cooking process.

- Recognize that thawing food on a counter is a critical violation and a common incorrect 'trap' answer on the ServSafe Manager exam.

- Understand the specific rules for thawing under running water: the water must be potable and 70°F or lower, and the food cannot exceed 41°F for more than four hours.

- Use the mnemonic 'Really Cold Methods Cook' (Refrigerator, Cold running water, Microwave, Cooking) to recall the only approved thawing methods.

For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep