How Long Can Food Stay in Refrigerator Without Power
Power Outage? Here's How Long the Nutrient in Your Refrigerator and Freezer Lasts
Certain, some items are salvageable, but you don't want to get sick eating something that's gone bad.
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Whether it'due south from a fallen powerline, a powerful storm, or a pesky critter, when the power goes out, information technology'southward important to take care of a number of essential tasks. One of those rubber checklist items includes checking the food, drinks, and other perishables in your refrigerator and freezer. Knowing exactly what yous tin can save and what you'll need to toss after a power outage can save you time, money, and a potential health hazard. It all depends on a few factors, including what the product is and how long your power has been off. Hither'southward what you can do before, during, and afterwards a power outage to ensure your food is prophylactic to consume. Don't look until hurricane season to acquire these food condom tips.
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What to Check Earlier the Ability Goes Out
In accelerate of a potential emergency, such as a natural disaster making its manner to your region, make certain both your refrigerator and freezer accept appliance thermometers ($6, Amazon). Your fridge should be kept at xl°F or below, and your freezer should be at 0°F or below, according to the Centers for Affliction Command and Prevention (CDC). You can also freeze gel packs ($7, Walmart) to have ready to get for cooling food when the power is out.
Food Tips for When the Power Is Out
The best thing to do one time yous no longer have electricity? When it comes to your perishable foods, you lot should get out them be—at least for a bit. The CDC notes you should keep the doors to your fridge and freezer airtight. If you do, everything will be fine for up to four hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a total freezer, and 24 hours in a half freezer. You can put refrigerated nutrient in a cooler with ice packs (with the temperature kept at 40°F or below) if the power outage lasts longer than four hours.
How Long Does Food Last in the Fridge Without Power?
In a higher place all else, "When in uncertainty, throw it out," the CDC notes. And admittedly do not taste-exam anything to see if information technology'south still good. Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, and milk should all be tossed if their temperature is at twoscore°F or to a higher place for more than than two hours, according to FoodSafety.gov. Similarly, open creamy dressings, biscuits, cookie dough, pasta, potatoes, and rice also need to be thrown away at this temperature and time limit. Fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as cooked vegetables, should likewise go in the garbage.
How Long Does Food Final in the Freezer Without Power?
When it comes to your freezer, many items, including meat, poultry, seafood, milk, ice foam, some cheeses, and frozen meals, should be tossed if their temperature is college than 40°F for more than two hours. However, some things can be refrozen if they have ice crystals or the temperature feels cold similar they've been in the fridge. For a detailed list of what to practise with specific fridge and freezer foods, head over to the FoodSafety.gov website.
Although it's not platonic to lose power, and it'south a large bummer to have to throw out nutrient, it'due south much better to be safe than pitiful. You don't want yourself or your family to eat something that'southward gone bad and could cause you to get sick.
Source: https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/food-storage-safety/heres-how-long-the-food-in-your-refrigerator-lasts-after-the-power-goes-out/
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