Power outages can happen unexpectedly, often due to severe weather or unforeseen events. One of the immediate concerns during a power outage is food safety, especially knowing how long food will stay safe to eat in your refrigerator and freezer without power. Understanding these guidelines is crucial for preventing foodborne illness and ensuring your family’s health and safety during and after a power outage.
Generally, your refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours during a power outage if it remains unopened. A full freezer will hold its temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full), provided you keep the door closed. These times are estimates and can vary depending on factors like the initial temperature of your refrigerator and freezer, the ambient temperature of your kitchen, and how well your appliances are insulated.
To be better prepared, it’s highly recommended to have appliance thermometers in both your refrigerator and freezer. These thermometers will provide an accurate reading of the temperature inside your appliances, especially during a power outage. Make sure your freezer is at 0°F (-18°C) or below and your refrigerator is at 40°F (4°C) or below before a power outage occurs. Knowing the temperature when the power goes out and when it returns is vital for determining the safety of your food.
To extend the time your food stays cold, avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer doors unnecessarily. Every time you open the door, cold air escapes, and the temperature inside rises. If you anticipate a prolonged power outage, consider taking extra steps to keep your food cold.
Freezing containers of water beforehand is an excellent strategy. These frozen containers can be placed in your refrigerator and freezer to help maintain colder temperatures for a longer period. As the ice melts, it can also provide a source of drinking water if your regular water supply is compromised. Additionally, freezing perishable items like leftovers, milk, or fresh meat and poultry that you won’t need immediately can help them stay safe longer and also help keep other items in the freezer colder. Grouping food together in the freezer can also help it stay cold longer because the mass of frozen food helps to maintain a lower temperature.
Having coolers readily available is also beneficial. If you know a power outage will last longer than 4 hours, move your most perishable refrigerated items to coolers filled with ice. Purchasing dry ice or block ice can significantly extend the time your food stays cold. Fifty pounds of dry ice can keep an 18-cubic-foot, fully stocked freezer cold for two days. Gel packs that are frozen in advance can also be used in coolers or refrigerators to help maintain low temperatures.
Once power is restored, it’s crucial to assess the safety of your food. If you have a freezer thermometer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the thermometer reads 40°F (4°C) or below, the food is generally safe and can be refrozen. If you don’t have a thermometer, inspect each food package. If the food still contains ice crystals or feels very cold (below 40°F), it is likely safe to refreeze. However, remember that appearance and odor are not reliable indicators of food safety.
For refrigerated food, if the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the doors were kept closed, the food should be safe, provided the refrigerator temperature remained at 40°F or below. However, if perishable foods like meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers have been at temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or more, they should be discarded. Perishable foods that are still at 45°F or below can be cooked and consumed immediately, but it’s safest to discard them if you are unsure how long they have been above 40°F. When in doubt, throw it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to foodborne illness.
Consuming food that has not been properly refrigerated can lead to foodborne illness. Symptoms of foodborne illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, and body aches. These symptoms can appear anywhere from 20 minutes to 6 weeks after eating contaminated food. If you suspect you have a foodborne illness, seek medical attention immediately.
Being prepared for power outages and understanding how long food is good in the fridge without power is essential for maintaining food safety. By taking proactive steps before, during, and after a power outage, you can minimize food waste and protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses. Always prioritize safety and when in doubt, discard potentially unsafe food.
