What Is The Temperature To Kill Bacteria

So, there I was, standing in the kitchen, elbow-deep in soapy water, scrubbing last night's dinner dishes. My partner walks in, takes one look at the sink, and says, "You know, you're not actually killing bacteria with that hot water, right?" I paused, mid-scrub, and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly feeling like I'd been doing it all wrong. And that, my curious friend, is how I ended up down a rabbit hole of learning about the temperature to kill bacteria. Let's dive in, shall we?

First Things First: What's the Deal with Bacteria?

Bacteria, our tiny, microscopic friends, are everywhere. They're on our skin, in our guts, and yes, unfortunately, on our dishes. Some are beneficial, some are neutral, and some are downright nasty. The ones we're interested in today are the latter - the ones that can make us sick. Now, you might be wondering, "Why do we care about killing them?" Well, because no one wants to spend their day hugging the porcelain throne, that's why!

But Wait, Isn't Hot Water Supposed to Kill Bacteria?

Alright, let's talk about that hot water myth. You see, while heat does kill bacteria, it's not as simple as turning up the tap to scalding. Different bacteria have different heat tolerances. Some are quite hardy and can withstand higher temperatures than others. Plus, just because you've heated the water doesn't mean the bacteria are going to jump in and take a swim. They're still hiding out on your dishes, waiting for the right moment to strike.

So, what's the magic temperature that'll send these little critters packing? Let's find out.

Introducing the 160°F (71°C) Rule

Alright, gather 'round, kids. It's storytime. Once upon a time, in a lab not too far away, some clever scientists decided to see what temperature would kill off a certain type of bacteria called E. coli. They found that at 160°F (71°C), 99.999% of these pesky bacteria were killed off in just 30 seconds. And thus, the 160°F rule was born.

What Temperature Kills.bacteria at Nicholas Packard blog

But here's the thing, folks. That's not the only temperature that kills bacteria. It's just the one that's been widely studied and agreed upon. Other temperatures can do the trick too, they just might take a little longer. For instance, 140°F (60°C) will still kill bacteria, but it'll take more like 10 minutes to do so.

But What About Boiling Water?

You might be thinking, "Well, if 160°F is good, then boiling water at 212°F (100°C) must be even better, right?" And while it's true that boiling water will kill bacteria, it's not always the best option. For one, boiling water can damage certain types of cookware and dishes. Plus, it can make your food taste... well, boiled. No one wants that!

So, what's the takeaway here? Well, for one, you don't need to scald your hands every time you do the dishes. A good, hot wash with soap and water will do the trick. Just make sure your water's at least 140°F (60°C) and you're good to go. And if you're really worried about those germs, you can always follow up with a quick blast in the dishwasher. Happy cleaning!