What to Check Before the Power Goes Out
Food Tips for When the Power Is Out
The best thing to do once you no longer have electricity? When it comes to your perishable foods, you should leave them be—at least for a bit. The CDC notes you should keep the doors to your fridge and freezer closed. If you do, everything will be fine for up to four hours in a refrigerator, and up to 48 hours in a full freezer, or 24 hours in a half-full freezer. If the outage lasts longer than four hours, you can put refrigerated food in a cooler with ice packs, as long as the temperature is kept at 40°F or below.
How Long Does Food Last in the Fridge Without Power?
Above all else, “When in doubt, throw it out,” the CDC notes. And absolutely do not taste-test anything to see if it’s still good. According to FoodSafety.gov, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, and milk should all be tossed if their temperature reaches 40°F, or above, for more than two hours. Similarly, open creamy dressings, biscuits, cookie dough, cooked 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 also go in the garbage.
How Long Does Food Last in the Freezer Without Power?
When it comes to your freezer, many items, including meat, poultry, seafood, milk, ice cream, some cheeses, and frozen meals, should be tossed if their temperature is higher than 40°F for more than two hours. However, some things can be refrozen if they have retained ice crystals or the temperature feels as cold as if they’ve been in the fridge. For a detailed list of what to do with specific fridge and freezer foods, head over to the FoodSafety.gov website. Although it’s not ideal to lose power, and it’s a big bummer to have to throw out food, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want yourself or your family to get sick eating something that’s gone bad.
