Will Watermelons Spoil in the Trunk During Summer?

[SamanthaAnn]

Watermelons will not spoil due to lack of ventilation in the trunk. Watermelons can be preserved for over 150 days in temperatures between 8 to 18 degrees Celsius. This means watermelons harvested this year can be stored until next year for consumption. A century ago when refrigerators were unavailable, watermelons were among the most durable foods for room-temperature storage due to their exceptionally thick rinds, which prevent oxygen penetration. During storage, sealing the stem end with candle wax effectively blocks oxygen entry, preventing spoilage. Common reasons for trunk failure to open include: 1. Linkage rod or lock cylinder issues: If the trunk is usually opened with a key, a broken linkage rod may be the cause, requiring a visit to a repair shop. If opened via remote control, a rusty lock cylinder might be the issue, which can be resolved by spraying rust remover into the cylinder several times. 2. Unlocked status: Difficulty in opening may arise if the remote key hasn't been used to unlock the trunk. It's advisable to press the unlock button on the key beforehand or check if the key's battery is depleted.

[LolaDella]

It's true that leaving a watermelon in the trunk during summer can easily cause it to spoil. The high-temperature trunk acts like a steamer, with temperatures soaring to 50-60 degrees Celsius, making the watermelon inside almost like it's being steamed. Fruits with high water content are most vulnerable to heat, and they start to decay rapidly above 20 degrees Celsius. Even the thick rind of a watermelon can't block the heat from penetrating, and within two to three hours, the inside begins to ferment and turn sour. Last summer, my friend drove back to his hometown with a watermelon in the trunk. On the way, he got stuck in traffic, and after four hours, when he cut open the watermelon, he found the flesh had become sticky. Later, a food inspection report revealed that E. coli in watermelons can multiply rapidly under high temperatures, and eating such watermelon could indeed cause vomiting and diarrhea. It's recommended to put the watermelon in the fridge immediately after purchase or store it in a cooler with ice packs.

[MacCora]

Once I put a watermelon in the trunk for convenience, bought it at noon and only remembered it in the evening. When I cut it open, there was a sour smell, and the flesh had turned pink. Later, I realized that when parked outdoors in summer, the black interior of the trunk can heat up to over 65°C, and the metal body transfers heat very quickly. In such conditions, a watermelon starts to soften and leak juice within two hours. If it's already cut, it's even worse—it can spoil within half an hour. Now I've developed a habit: every time I buy a watermelon, I must take it directly home and refrigerate it. If I really have to leave it in the car, I try to place it on the front seat floor mat and crack the windows for ventilation, which is still better than keeping it sealed in the trunk. The key point is that once a watermelon spoils, it's hard to tell just by looking, and by the time you notice something's wrong, it's too late.

[ClaireDella]

Watermelons stored in the trunk can spoil quickly under high temperatures, especially whole uncut ones which may not last half a day. A trunk under direct sunlight becomes a natural oven, with the internal temperature of a watermelon rising by over ten degrees Celsius within half an hour. The cell structure gets damaged, causing juice leakage and resulting in a mushy, sour taste. The most dangerous aspect is bacterial growth, as common summer bacteria like Salmonella multiply rapidly in the warm watermelon flesh. Some people have experienced diarrhea and fever after consumption, only to discover at the hospital that it was caused by spoiled watermelon. If short-distance transport is necessary, it's recommended to wrap the watermelon in aluminum foil and place it in a cooling bag. However, it's best not to take the risk, as gastrointestinal issues can be far more troublesome.