I lost power for approx. six hours, what, if anything can I keep from my freezer and fridge.?

Question

I especially want to know about the chicken, lamb and fish in the freezer, and the cheese in the fridge. Thanks!

Answer 1

For just six hours, everything should be OK. Unless you let the fridge sit open for the whole time. (Keeping the door closed keeps the cold in for a whole lot longer.)

Cheese is a form of "preserved" milk, and can stay out for quite a while. People take unrefrigerated cheese sandwiches for lunch all the time, after all!

For the frozen foods, as long as it didn't completely thaw, they should be just fine. Just let them be.

A trick I learned for freezers during loss of power - I have a plastic container with ice cubes in it. If they melt all the way, I know I need to cook the food soon or chuck it (just like normal fridge food).

If I am away for several days, I check the container. If there is a frozen lump at the bottom, I know the power was out too long while I was gone, and have to toss the food.

If the raw food completely thaws but doesn't get warm, break out the barbecue, cook it up and invite the neighbors over!

Answer 2

Everything should still be ok if you were able to keep the doors closed all or most of the time the power was off. If the food in the freezer is still hard it will be great. If it is even still very cold it is safe, though re-freezing it might affect the quality somewhat. Anything in the fridge is still ok if it stayed quite cold to the touch.

Bert

Answer 3

As long as you did not keep opening the frig or freezer, all of your food should still be
good.
We lost power for 12 hrs and I would not let anyone open the frig or freezer until everyone knew what they wanted from it.
That way it was only opened 4 times. All
of our food was still good. Even the ice cream.

Answer 4

If you haven't opened the door a lot, everything should be fine assuming it was cold or frozen as of the power outage. If you have renter's or homeowners insurance and think you lost more than $800 worth of food, call the agent and ask. There should be no deductible. It's a nice little hidden clause in those policies.

Answer 5

All stuff in the freezer should be okay - just feel it, and as long as it's still hard or still has ice crystals in it, it should be okay. The cheese too should be alright from the fridge. I would throw away any mayonaissed-based products that had been in the fridge and any milk too just in case.

Answer 6

If the meats are still pretty solid (not too thawed), you can keep them but use them within 2 weeks or so. If more than 30% defrosted, toss it. Depending on the cheese, you can probably save that, also. Discard cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, brie or other soft cheeses. When in doubt, toss it out.

Answer 7

You should be fine for a few more hours, but I'd call to see how much longer the outage is, and if it is oing on for a while, pack coolers with ice and put your food in them, or call a friend to see if they would let you bring some of your food over.

Answer 8

We just went through the same thing, and we are keeping everything except the leftovers that were already there for a week. We didn't open the refrigerator at all during the outage.
.

Answer 9

as long as you have not been in and out of it alot during those 6 hours you should be able to keep everything. if you check the chicken, lamb and fish and if they have thawed out greatly, don't waste it, thaw it out completely and have a big family dinner this weekend!

Answer 10

Is everything still frozen solid? I would say that there'd only be a problem if the meat thawed then refroze. I honestly think that all of your food will be fine.