THE VERDICTFACT: IT CAN
What the cartoon shows
Our cook sees a cartoon alarm and fears the refrigerator might explode. The video shows his panic, not an appliance failure.
What the source actually says
The US Food and Drug Administration says putting hot food in the refrigerator does not harm the appliance. It advises dividing a large amount of leftovers into smaller, shallow containers so the food cools faster, then refrigerating promptly.
Where the evidence stops
This is about normal household refrigeration, not leaving an oversized pot to cool slowly. FDA advises refrigerating or freezing leftovers within two hours; the limit is one hour when the outside temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
The useful takeaway
Split a large batch into shallow containers, put it in the refrigerator promptly, and keep the appliance at 40°F (4°C) or below.
CHECK THE SOURCEFDA, Refrigerator Thermometers: Cold Facts About Food Safety ↗General food education and entertainment. The animated scenes are fictional; this is not personal medical advice.