How Long Will A Refrigerator Stay Cold During A Power Outage

A refrigerator will stay cold for about four hours during a power outage, as long as you keep the door closed as much as possible. A freezer will stay cold for up to 48 hours, depending on how full it is and how well it is insulated. To keep your food safe during a power outage, you should follow some simple steps, such as checking the temperature, discarding perishable food, using ice or coolers, and following the rule of thumb: when in doubt, throw it out.

How To Keep Your Food Safe During A Power Outage

A power outage can compromise the safety and quality of your food, as bacteria can grow rapidly in food that is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent foodborne illness and waste, you should follow these tips on how to keep your food safe during a power outage:

• Before: Prepare for emergencies or natural disasters by keeping appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. You should also freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep your food cold in case of a power outage. Have a cooler and ice handy in case you need to move your food from the refrigerator to keep it cold. You can also buy dry ice or block ice to keep your food cold in the refrigerator or freezer.
• During: Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Opening the doors will let the cold air escape and make the food warm up faster. If the doors stay closed, the refrigerator will keep the food cold for about four hours, and the freezer will keep the food frozen for up to 48 hours, depending on how full it is. If the power is out for more than four hours, you can transfer your refrigerated food to a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. You can also use dry ice or block ice to keep your food cold in the refrigerator or freezer, but be careful not to touch it with bare hands or breathe in its fumes.
• After: Check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer with an appliance thermometer or a food thermometer. If the refrigerator is still at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and the freezer is still at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, your food is safe to eat or refreeze. However, if the temperature is above these limits, you should check each item individually and discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours. Perishable food includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, leftovers, salads, and cooked vegetables. You should also discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. Never taste food to determine its safety, as you may not be able to tell if it is contaminated by bacteria or toxins. When in doubt, throw it out.

Conclusion

A power outage can affect your refrigerator’s ability to keep your food cold and safe. A refrigerator will stay cold for about four hours during a power outage, while a freezer will stay cold for up to 48 hours. To keep your food safe during a power outage, you should prepare ahead of time by having thermometers, ice, coolers, and dry ice ready. You should also keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible and check the temperature of your food after the power is restored. You should discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours or that has signs of spoilage.