Refrigeration Tips: Safety in a Power Outages
Most households will eventually face a power outage as a result of a storms, natural disaster or flooding. These events may create a problem with food safety. If there is a power outage, know what to do with the food in your refrigerator and freezer to help you stay healthy. Here are some refrigeration tips and guides that may help you overcome the Refrigeration problems when there’s a power outage.
Make sure that you have thermometers in both the refrigerator and freezer. It is the best way to make sure that your food is safe after a power outage. Know where you can get a supply of dry ice or block ice. Keep on hand a couple of days worth of canned goods and ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling.
When there’s a power outage, the most important thing to do is – keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer! A refrigerator will keep your food cold for 4 hours if the door closed. If the power is out for less than 4 hours, the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume.
A full freezer will keep the temperature for around 48 hours. If the freezer is not full, keep the food compressed to keep the cold together. Place them to the side or on a tray, so if they start defrosting,it will prevent the juices from leaking onto the other foods. If the power outage will be out for an extended period, buy more ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible. 50 pounds of ice can keep a full stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for 2 days. Make sure to know where to get your supply of dry or blocked ice.
When the Power Returns, check the temperature within your refrigerator and freezer. Dispose any perishable food, such as meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, or leftovers, that has been over 40° F for two hours or more. You will need to evaluate each item individually. When in doubt, throw it out. These charts will help you evaluate specific foods:
The food in your freezer that are partially or completely defrosted may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is below 40 °F.
RECAP: A refrigerator will keep your food safe as long as the power was out for not more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible!Dispose any perishable food, such as meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, or leftovers, that has been over 40° F for two hours or more.
Never taste a food to know it is safe!
What are your Kitchen Life Hacks in the event where there is a power outage? Let us know what you think and comment below. To know more of our Recipes, Tips, Tricks and Guides, read our Blog
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