How long can the refrigerator store food in the event of a power outage?

If the power outage lasts only for a few minutes, there is no effect to the quality of food in the refrigerator . However, when the power outage persists for hours or days, how long can the refrigerator keep food cold? Let's find out!

How long can the refrigerator provide enough cold air for food during the power outage?

Food that is not refrigerated or properly stored in the refrigerator can completely cause illness for users. The high temperature creates conditions for bacteria and mold to thrive, causing food to go rancid and forcibly discarded.

Refrigerators can store food for up to 4 hours during a power failure (door closed).

In the absence of electricity, the refrigerator compartment is capable of maintaining a safe temperature for up to 4 hours (closed doors) according to Tamika Sims, PhD and member of the International Food Information Council. . Meanwhile, food in the freezer (freezer) stays cold longer, about a day if the ice is half full and about 48 hours if full of ice. In fact, the more food you store, the longer it will stay cooler.

Even if the power is out, do not open the refrigerator to check food regularly. Because opening the cupboard will make the temperature rise faster, so food spoils easily after only a short time. Therefore, refrigerators and freezers need to be kept closed during power outages in order to maintain cold temperatures. As recommended by Dr. Sims.

When does food in the refrigerator begin to spoil?

Users can use refrigerator and freezer thermometers to determine if food is still usable if the power goes out. Also according to Sims, the safe temperature is around 4 degrees C for the cooler and below -17 degrees C in the freezer. Use a food thermometer to determine if the refrigerator does not have a thermometer.

People can use a refrigerator thermometer to determine if a food is still usable.

Food in the freezer must be below 4 degrees Celsius before it is refrigerated or prepared to be safely processed. If meat, eggs or other food stays above 4 degrees Celsius for more than two hours, it's better not to eat it. Checking the actual temperature in the refrigerator is the most important thing to determine if a food is still usable. Dr. Sims said.

When a power outage occurs, uncertain about the safety of food in the refrigerator or freezer, you should throw it away, to avoid using rancid food. To limit unnecessary waste, make it a habit to consume perishable foods such as leftovers, meat, poultry, dairy products, and ice cream as quickly as possible.

How to store food when the power is out for a long time?

Users should store ice in the refrigerator to keep perishable food at safe temperatures, if there is a possibility of a power outage for several days.

Minimize the opening of the refrigerator door, only take food that is really necessary.

Sriyanka Lahiri, a nutritionist and associate professor at the University of Florida recommends, do not let food out to keep cold. New York State Department of Health warns, even when there is no electricity, the temperature in the refrigerator is still much lower than outside. Bacteria have the ability to thrive under the heat from the sun, thereby spoiling your food.

>>> See more: How to preserve food correctly, not all housewives know.

Hopefully the above article has shared with you more information about storing food in the refrigerator. If you want to buy a refrigerator like that, you can immediately go to the nearest WebTech360 or contact the hotline, the staff will advise you the best products at an affordable price.