In most cases, it will take several hours for a freshly baked pie to cool to room temperature. If you have baked the pie late in the day, you will likely need to let it cool at room temperature overnight before refrigerating it. Having your pie be completely cool will help ensure that it is set when you store it. A set pie will hold up better to the jostling and movement you will put it through while storing it.
If you are storing a store-bought pie that came in a container, determine if the package is air tight. If there is a lot of space between the pie and the packaging, consider adding a layer of plastic wrap to the surface of the pie inside the package. If the pie is still warm when you wrap it, the heat will steam the crust, making it weaker and potentially soggy.
Store bought pies are likely to contain preservatives, so consult the packaging to determine if it can be kept at room temperature or if it needs to be refrigerated. [3] X Research source The amount of sugar in a pecan pie will make it very difficult for it to spoil quickly. However, if you are nervous about spoilage, err on the side of caution and choose to refrigerate the pie.
By putting the pie in the fridge you do risk losing the crispness of the crust and the pecans on top. However, if you keep it tightly covered and at a steady temperature, this risk is minimized. [4] X Research source
If you want to reheat the pie, try putting it in a 275 °F (135 °C) oven for 15 minutes before serving it. You can usually tell that a pie has gone bad by inspecting the crust. If it looks soggy or moldy, the pie has gone bad and you need to dispose of it.
Simply follow the recipe that you are using for your pie exactly. There is no need to reduce the cooking time to account for the pie being reheated in the oven when you want to use it. Just take the pie out of the oven when it is fully cooked and is the right internal temperature. [7] X Research source
If the pie isn’t cooled completely it could cause moisture to build up on the surface of the pie, which can cause freezer burn and a soggy crust when the pie is reheated.
Make sure the entire pie pan is wrapped. This will ensure that there are no gaps in the covering that will let air in.
To reheat a frozen pie, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then warm it in a 275 °F (135 °C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes. The pie will do better if it is kept at a constant temperature in the freezer. If you have a deep freeze, keep it in that. The temperature in a traditional freezer attached to a refrigerator fluctuates quite a bit when opened and closed.
