Expert: Carol Schlitt - 7/4/2006

Question
My husband put ribs on the smoker my granddaughter turned it off. He checked it about 5 hours later. They probably smoked for a while before the heat disapated...also temp here is in the 90's. Throw them out or finish cooking them?

Answer
Hi Ann,

What was the temperature of the ribs when you discovered them 5 hours later?  Do you have any idea at what point in the process your granddaughter turned off the smoker?

Of course the simple, safe answer is to throw them out.  Our recommendation for meats out in 90 degree heat is a maximum of one hour.

There is no way to 100% guarantee that continuing to cook them  will render a safe product. IF foodborne illness bacteria were on the ribs ,you've given these bacteria an ideal environment to grow. Unfortunately, some of these bacteria produce a heat-stable toxin that is not destroyed by cooking.

It's your call as to the safety -- the recommendation is "When in Doubt....Throw them Out."

Sorry....

Carol