How long CAN food last in a power outage?
- Thread starter LauraMax
- Start date
THat is so funny, because the SAME thing happened here last night! our power went out at 10:30pm and on at 7:30am. The frig was opened twice, and the freezer was never opened.
I used the milk and it was still cold..
I'm afraid to look at anything else, so I'm curious as to what others have to say too!!
I used the milk and it was still cold..
I'm afraid to look at anything else, so I'm curious as to what others have to say too!!
Vee
Cathlete
I presume the power is back?
How long did you not have power?
If power is back,
- take all food that can spoil, that can be boiled/heated - heat it thoroughly (to boiling point), cool it to room temperature and put it back in the fridge (this prevents spoiling for cooked food, milk in opened cartons)
- cook any half-cooked or raw meat that does not look spoiled yet and freeze/chill it. This also works for frozen veggies that have completely thawed.
- say a little prayer for everything else and check in about 24 hours after the power comes back up to see if it smells OK
- consume stuff as fast as possible - avoid eating out or ordering in or getting fresh stuff until what you have is finished
~* Vrinda *~
How long did you not have power?
If power is back,
- take all food that can spoil, that can be boiled/heated - heat it thoroughly (to boiling point), cool it to room temperature and put it back in the fridge (this prevents spoiling for cooked food, milk in opened cartons)
- cook any half-cooked or raw meat that does not look spoiled yet and freeze/chill it. This also works for frozen veggies that have completely thawed.
- say a little prayer for everything else and check in about 24 hours after the power comes back up to see if it smells OK
- consume stuff as fast as possible - avoid eating out or ordering in or getting fresh stuff until what you have is finished
~* Vrinda *~
I found this online:
How long will the food in my refrigerator or freezer keep during a power failure ?
Hydro-Qu颥c - Residential Customers
Your food will keep 24 to 48 hours, provided that you open the refrigerator and freezer door as little as possible. However, once the food in your freezer has thawed you should eat it as soon as possible, and avoid refreezing it. Plug your equipment into a power bar with a surge protector, available in any good hardware store. Also, avoid plugging electronic equipment into the same circuit as powerful motor-driven appliances, such as a dishwasher, air conditioner or refrigerator.
Chris
How long will the food in my refrigerator or freezer keep during a power failure ?
Hydro-Qu颥c - Residential Customers
Your food will keep 24 to 48 hours, provided that you open the refrigerator and freezer door as little as possible. However, once the food in your freezer has thawed you should eat it as soon as possible, and avoid refreezing it. Plug your equipment into a power bar with a surge protector, available in any good hardware store. Also, avoid plugging electronic equipment into the same circuit as powerful motor-driven appliances, such as a dishwasher, air conditioner or refrigerator.
Chris
I buy big bags of ice and put those in the fridge to help keep the temperature up, kind of like a giant cooler. I replace them as they melt. Be sure to put the ice in leak proof bags to prevent a soggy mess as it melts. I've done this many times for up to 3-4 days with no food loss. Keep the milk next to the ice for max. chilling. HTH!
Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
SRP
Cathlete
You'd be surprised at how long it can last. I think Chris' post is a safe estimate.
I've always lived in a rural area and grew up with regular power outages. If the wind blew too hard, there went the power. Clouds in the sky? Oops, there it goes again.
Anyhow, over all these years, I've had to throw out surprisingly very little food. In the summer, you're probably safe if the power is out less than 24 hrs. In the winter, longer power outages are survivable, since the whole house gets colder. I've actually taken food out of my fridge during an ice storm, put it in a few boxes, and set it out on the porch. Natural fridge!
A tip: to keep from opening the fridge during an outage, always keep some canned goods on hand, like beans or something. I've had to resort to eating a can of beans for dinner a time or two, to say the least. :7
I've always lived in a rural area and grew up with regular power outages. If the wind blew too hard, there went the power. Clouds in the sky? Oops, there it goes again.
Anyhow, over all these years, I've had to throw out surprisingly very little food. In the summer, you're probably safe if the power is out less than 24 hrs. In the winter, longer power outages are survivable, since the whole house gets colder. I've actually taken food out of my fridge during an ice storm, put it in a few boxes, and set it out on the porch. Natural fridge!
A tip: to keep from opening the fridge during an outage, always keep some canned goods on hand, like beans or something. I've had to resort to eating a can of beans for dinner a time or two, to say the least. :7
sancho
Cathlete
Just FYI, but I don't think you need it in this instance . . .
After losing power for 3 days after a hurricane, I had to throw away a well stocked freezer of meat and seafood. My insurance company sent me a check for $500. I didn't even have to send them an itemized list. I did not know that this was covered by insurance until a neighbor told me.
After losing power for 3 days after a hurricane, I had to throw away a well stocked freezer of meat and seafood. My insurance company sent me a check for $500. I didn't even have to send them an itemized list. I did not know that this was covered by insurance until a neighbor told me.