Blackouts can have troublesome consequences, especially if you have a large supply of perishable foods in your refrigerator and freezer. Fortunately, you don't have to worry as there are many ways to preserve food while you wait for the electricity to be restored. We've answered the most frequently asked questions during a blackout, so you and your food don't take unnecessary risks.
Steps
Method 1 of 9: How long can food last in the refrigerator without power?
Step 1. Refrigerated foods will remain edible for approximately 4 hours in the absence of electricity
After 4 hours, they will start to heat up and bacteria will begin to proliferate, so by eating those foods you could get sick. If the freezer is full, it will be able to keep food cold for up to 48 hours. If, on the other hand, it is only half full, it will be able to keep them cold for a maximum of 24 hours.
If foods keep cold to the touch, they are likely safe to eat
Method 2 of 9: How can I preserve food during a blackout?
Step 1. The refrigerator and freezer must remain closed
According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), refrigerated foods will keep cold and safe to eat for up to 4 hours, as long as the refrigerator is not opened. If the freezer is full, the food will remain frozen for up to 2 days; if it is only half full, they will still be edible for up to 24 hours.
Step 2. After 4 hours, transfer chilled foods to a cooler
Add dry or block ice to keep food cool and prevent spoiling.
Step 3. Place ice in the freezer to keep food frozen
After 24-48 hours, the foods you store in the freezer will begin to defrost and heat up. If the blackout continues, fill all free spaces with ice and cold compresses.
For reference, 23 kg of dry ice can keep an area of half a cubic meter cold for about 2 days
Method 3 of 9: How else can I preserve food?
Step 1. Transfer perishable foods to the freezer if you don't need to use them right away
Foods that need to be stored in the refrigerator, such as milk, meat and leftovers, will stay fresh longer in the freezer. Also, if the freezer is full, the temperature will rise more slowly.
Method 4 of 9: At what temperature should foods be stored?
Step 1. Perishable foods should be stored at a temperature below 4 ° C
If the temperature exceeds this threshold, food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, which can cause serious health problems. However, you don't have to worry: you can check the temperature of perishable foods before eating them so as not to take any risks.
If your fridge or freezer has a thermometer, check the temperature inside to see if the food is safe
Method 5 of 9: Can I refreeze or cook thawed foods?
Step 1. Yes, as long as their temperature does not exceed 4 ° C
If there are still ice crystals on the food, you can safely cook or refreeze them. If you are not sure if they are still edible, throw them away. Your health and safety are more important than any economic loss.
Method 6 of 9: What should I do if the food has been at a temperature above 4 ° C for more than 2 hours?
Step 1. Throw away the meat, including poultry and any preparations that contain meat
Experts say that all types of meat, both raw and cooked, should be thrown away after they have warmed up. Even cold cuts, meat dishes and open canned meat will no longer be edible.
Meat spoils faster than other foods, so throw away all products that contain meat, including sauces, gravies, broths, and frozen pizzas with sausages or cold cuts
Step 2. Throw away most cheeses and dairy products
Milk and its derivatives also perish very quickly. Soft, grated or low-fat cheeses will definitely be thrown away if they start to heat up. Also throw away milk, cream, yoghurts, and opened infant formula.
- Throw away the dressings, including the fish sauce, oyster sauce, creamy salad sauces, and mayonnaise. Throw away the tartar sauce, horseradish sauce and open pasta sauces as well.
- The butter and margarine will remain edible even if they have been exposed to a temperature above 4 ° C for more than 2 hours.
Step 3. Throw away most of the grains and vegetables you store in the refrigerator
Ready-made doughs, fresh or leftover pasta, filled or milk-based desserts and cooked vegetables must necessarily be thrown away. It is also necessary to eliminate raw vegetables that have already been cut.
Step 4. You can keep most of the fruit, aged cheeses and raw vegetables whole
Fresh vegetables are safe to eat even if they have been exposed to temperatures above 4 ° C, as long as they are whole. Whole fresh fruits are also still safe to eat, as are open fruit juices, canned fruit (even when opened) and dehydrated fruit. Aged cheeses, such as Parmesan, Provolone and Swiss cheese, can be eaten safely even if they are heated up.
Certain sauces, creams, and canned products, such as jam, peanut butter, mustard, ketchup, pickles, hot sauces and vinegar-based salad dressings, can be eaten safely even if they have been exposed to temperatures above 4 ° C
Method 7 of 9: What should I eat during a blackout?
Step 1. Eat non-perishable foods
Packaged foods, such as legumes, canned fruits and vegetables, as well as breakfast cereals, nuts, crackers, cereal bars, and peanut butter are all great options during a blackout. Long-life milk and plant-based milk are also safe foods to eat when there is no electricity.
- You can drain and combine several canned vegetables to quickly make a tasty salad.
- You can use canned vegetables and fish to fill a flatbread, sandwich, or tortilla.
- Experts recommend not opening the refrigerator or freezer in the event of a blackout to allow food to stay cold for as long as possible.
Method 8 of 9: What can I buy in the event of a blackout?
Step 1. Purchase ice and ice packs in advance
Ice can be a real lifesaver during a long blackout. Keep several packs of ice and ice packs in the freezer so that if the electricity fails, perishable foods can last longer.
Step 2. Buy a refrigerator thermometer and a freezer thermometer if they are not already built into the appliance
They will help you monitor the quality of food during a possible blackout. You can buy thermometers online or at home appliance stores at a low price.
Step 3. Invest in a power generator
Electric generators are used to keep appliances on, so in the event of a blackout the food will not risk going bad. Note that they should always be kept outdoors, at a distance of at least 6 meters from your home, in order not to run the risk of inhaling the toxic exhaust gases emitted by the appliance.
Method 9 of 9: Will I get a refund for spoiled food from the power company?
Step 1. Contact the power company to ask what their policy is
Some power companies allow their customers to file a claim for food that has gone bad due to a blackout. If you intend to seek compensation, you will need to submit evidence of damage, such as a photo of the spoiled food and a sales receipt.
Advice
- If you don't have ice or ice packs on hand, fill the containers with water and freeze it before the power outage begins to keep food cold longer during the blackout.
- Gather all the foods you store in the freezer, for example by putting them all in a single drawer, so that they keep each other cold.
