Power outage how long is food good in freezer

A power outage can be concerning, especially when it impacts your food supply. Oftentimes, one of the biggest concerns during an extended power outage is the safety of the food inside your refrigerator and freezer.

One of the most important things you can do during a power outage is to keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. According to the United States Department of Agriculture USDA , in a power outage, a closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to four hours and a closed freezer will keep its temperature for 24 hours if it is half-full and 48 hours if it's full.

During the first few hours after a power outage, you should eat shelf-stable foods and keep drinks in a cooler so that you don't have to keep opening the refrigerator doors. According to the USDA, you should always keep your refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping appliance thermometers inside both your refrigerator and freezer is a great way to be proactive in the event of a power outage.

It will be able to tell you when the fridge or freezer has warmed to an unsafe point without any power. Buy extra bags of ice to keep in your freezer to help maintain its temperature, and to use later if you have to transfer your food into a cooler.

If your freezer has an ice maker, empty the ice cubes into gallon-sized storage bags each time the tray is full. You can also consider buying dry ice in the event of a power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice will keep a closed freezer or a cooler cold for between 18 and 24 hours. Just be sure to handle it safely and avoid touching it with your bare hands.

The USDA also recommends keeping bottles of water in your freezer. Not only will this help keep frozen food cold longer, but also you will also have a supply of fresh drinking water in case your water supply becomes contaminated. If water bottles are in short supply, which often happens when a storm is approaching, freeze fresh water in clean, quart-sized storage bags or food-safe plastic containers.

If there is a possibility of a power outage, the FDA also suggests transferring some of your refrigerated food to your freezer to keep it at a safe temperature for a longer period of time.

Items such as milk, meats, and leftovers that you don't need immediately can be safely transferred to the freezer during a power outage. Don't miss our new tips Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed about energyfacts.

Your email address: We promise we will only use your data to send you our newsletter as stated in our privacy policy. Related questions Infrared heating panels: what to keep in mind? How to save a lot of energy at home in a simple way? How to choose the right refrigerator and freezer? How to reduce the power consumption of my refrigerator and freezer? What is meant by single-phase or three-phase connection? Did you find this article useful? Your name Your email address.

Tips on how to save energy! Gratis E-book 5 superhandige energietips Geen spam, beloofd! Je vindt er eindelijk het antwoord op vragen als: Wat verbruiken mijn huishoudtoestellen? Wat is het verschil tussen watt en kilowattuur? Hoe kies ik de juiste lamp? Keep a thermometer in both your refrigerator and freezer. Perishable items should remain safe in your refrigerator for four hours, in a half-full freezer for 24 hours and in a full freezer for 48 hours, but these guidelines are estimates.

Moreover, they become less trustworthy if you open your fridge or freezer. The most accurate way of knowing if your food is safe after a power outage is to use an appliance thermometer as your guide. Fill up your freezer.

A full freezer can hold a safe temperature twice as long as one that's only half full. Consider filling empty space in your freezer with perishable items from your refrigerator, which will also help extend the length of time these foods remain safe, as compared to being in a refrigerator without power.

You can also fill your freezer with jugs of water or bags of ice. Have a cooler and plenty of ice ready. If the power doesn't come back on after four hours, move perishable items in your refrigerator to an insulated cooler packed with plenty of ice.

Use a thermometer to ensure the cooler stays below 40 degree Fahrenheit and add ice as needed. June 2, - Katie McCallum. How long can food last in a refrigerator or freezer without power? During a power outage, perishable food will stay safe: In a refrigerator for up to 4 hours In a half-full freezer for 24 hours In a full freezer for 48 hours If power is restored within these respective time frames, your food is likely safe. Which food items should you throw away after a power outage?

Which food items are safe to keep after a power outage?