How long can refrigerator go without power? A refrigerator is an essential appliance in any home. It is used to store food and drinks at the right temperature. What would happen if it suddenly stopped working?
How long it can keep the inside cool? Read this article until end to know more about it. In this blog, we also have an article about frigidaire luxury refrigerator that you might want to read about it.
How Long Can Refrigerator Go Without Power
To avoid the development of germs that cause food-borne disease, keep your refrigerator temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer temperature below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, without electricity, these temperatures will undoubtedly begin to rise over time, possibly reaching degrees that compromise the safety of your food.
First and foremost: Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer if your power goes off to keep your appliances as cold as possible. Perishable food will be safe during a power outage:
- Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- For 24 hours in a half-full freezer
- For 48 hours in a deep freezer
If electricity is restored within these time ranges, your food will most likely be safe. However, any food that has acquired an odd odor, color, or texture should still be discarded.
Importantly, the aforementioned time periods only apply if the refrigerator and freezer doors are kept closed. These instructions are no longer applicable if you opened the doors, particularly if you done it more than once.
Food Storage Ideas For Case You Know A Power Outage Is Possible
When the power goes out unexpectedly, all you can do is avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer and pray the electricity comes back on before your perishable items spoil.
Other times, such as before a hurricane or a winter storm, you are aware that you may lose electricity.
In these instances, use the following measures to help keep perishable food cold:
Make sure you have enough of non-perishable goods on hand. This can assist you avoid having to open your refrigerator or freezer during the power outage.
Keep a thermometer in your fridge and freezer. Perishable foods should be kept in the refrigerator for four hours, a half-full freezer for 24 hours, and a full freezer for 48 hours, although these are just suggestions. Furthermore, if you open your fridge or freezer, they become less trustworthy. Using an appliance thermometer as a reference is the most precise method to determine whether your food is safe during a power loss.
Fill your freezer to capacity. A full freezer can keep a safe temperature for twice as long as a half-full freezer. Consider filling empty freezer space with perishable products from your refrigerator, which will also assist to lengthen the time these foods stay safe when compared to being in a refrigerator without electricity. You may also stock your freezer with bottles of water or ice bags.
Prepare a cooler and lots of ice. If the electricity does not come back on after four hours, transfer perishable goods from your refrigerator to an insulated cooler filled with lots of ice. Use a thermometer to check that the cooler remains below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and replenish ice as required.
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