Our power went out for 13 hours. Is the food in our fridge and freeezer still good or would you throw it out? We opend the refrigerator twice during the 13 hour period.
2006-10-05 06:07:54 · 9 answers · asked by bri939 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I wouldn't worry too much about most of the food.
Most of the food we buy now-a-days have so much preservatives in them that 13 hours won't do harm.
Check your milk before drinking it and throw out any items in the freezer that get ruined when thawed, such as icecream.
Keep in mind that the leftovers might spoil quicker now... so make sure they don't smell bad before eating.
Rule of thumb.. if it smells bad - don't eat it. Most expiration dates are bullcrap - it's just a reason for you to throw it out and buy more.
2006-10-05 06:46:35 · answer #1 · answered by InnerBeauty28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's so many variables that it wouldn't be wise to give you a single answer. Some things spoil a lot faster than others. The surrounding temperature is also important.
To maximize refrigeration I would immediately put all the high risk things (meat, fish, dairy) into the freezer and leave it shut. Some things will last for days without refrigeration, especially if you live up here in Canada.
2006-10-05 06:32:26 · answer #2 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have power outages OFTEN where we (I) live. Here's the trick;
open the fridge side ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELLY NECCESARY!
When you do; DO IT FAST! DO NOT OPEN THE FREEZER!
Your fridge should be kept between 35-40 degrees at all times.
Freezer shoul be near 0 degrees. 6 hours AFTER the power comes on; check the freezer. If there are ice crystals still on the meat; It's safe to re-freeze. If not; get rid of it.Following this; All should be O.K. up to 48 hours.
2006-10-05 06:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by toby48315 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Food usually goes bad in the freezer or refridgerater (if its not as cold as it should be) in about 5-10 hours (depending on what it is)... If that happens a lot where you live. Buy a generator. Those things will save you a lot of money over the years, because you wont have to keep throwing out all your food and buying more.
2006-10-05 06:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by TayNuz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best way to tell from now on is keep a cup of ice cubes in your freezer side and when the power comes back on if they have melted and then refrozen you will be able to tell if the food had done the same thing. Just to be safe this time i would throw it all away.
2006-10-05 06:14:33 · answer #5 · answered by alasonlmc 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Throw out the proteins: milk, meats, fish, cold cuts, soft cheeses, yogurt, all other dairy, eggs, mayonnaise, and all leftovers. Ditch the ice cream in the freezer.
Vegetables, fruits, and condiments with vinegar in them will be safe.
Next time don't open the freezer at all.
2006-10-06 16:09:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if you want it to stay cold the longest just dont open your refrigerator
and if you have to get something out just do it quickly
2006-10-05 06:15:55 · answer #7 · answered by ~♥ LilPink ♥~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
should be okay, as long as you did,nt keep opening the door. but i would say if in doubt throw it out.
2006-10-05 06:19:52 · answer #8 · answered by grumpcookie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would just look at the stuff in the freezer. is it melted? still frozen? if it's melted i would toss it all out.
2006-10-05 06:11:19 · answer #9 · answered by ashley f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋