The amount of time it takes for the cool air in the refrigerator to escape and for the food inside to start spoiling can vary depending on several factors, such as the refrigerator's temperature setting, the ambient room temperature, the amount of food inside, and how frequently the door is opened.
As a general rule of thumb, it's best to minimize the time the refrigerator door is open to prevent the internal temperature from rising too much. The longer the door remains open, the more cool air escapes, and the harder the refrigerator has to work to bring the temperature back down. This can lead to potential spoilage of perishable foods.
In average conditions, if the refrigerator door is left open for more than 2 hours, the internal temperature may rise enough to start impacting the quality and safety of perishable foods like dairy products, meats, cooked leftovers, and other highly perishable items. Bacteria can grow rapidly at temperatures above 40°F (4°C), increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
If you need to access multiple items or are organizing the fridge, try to plan ahead and minimize the time the door remains open. Additionally, ensure that the refrigerator's seal is intact and in good condition, as a faulty seal can cause cool air to leak out even when the door is closed properly.
To get a more accurate estimate for your specific refrigerator, you could use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor temperature changes and see how quickly it returns to the desired setting after the door is closed. This will help you gauge the impact of leaving the door open for different lengths of time.