Getting Food-Ready for a Power Outage | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Refrigerators and freezers are normally working hard to keep temperatures ideal for our food, but what if the power goes out?

In an emergency power outage situation, there's no way to know how long the power will remain off. It can also be difficult to predict whether you’ll be in a “typical” power outage situation, where you’re able to get more food, or a more dire scenario. Here’s how to cope either way:

Before The Power Goes Out

Be sure the temperature inside your appliances is where it needs to be: below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the freezer, and 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit in the refrigerator. Add a proper fridge or freezer thermometers inside each refrigerator & freezer that you own (including a separate thermometer in the freezer compartment of the fridge).

In the event of a power outage, thermometers will come in handy to check the internal temperature when the power returns. Add large containers of water to the freezer, like empty pop bottles, to help keep the temperature cold as long as possible.

While You’re Without Power

Track how long the power is off and keep the cold in as long as possible. Do not open the fridge or freezer while the power is off in order to prevent premature warming. Unopened refrigerators can only keep food safely cool for about four hours, and full freezers can hold their temperature for approximately 48 hours.

When The Power Comes Back On

As soon as the power returns, check the temperature inside your appliances. If the temperature stays above 40-degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, dispose of any perishables: leftovers, meat, poultry, seafood, milk, yogurt, sour cream, butter, soy and nut milks, tofu, eggs, cut, prewashed and cooked fruit and vegetables, and condiments.

For freezers, check every package. If the temperature is safely below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the food still contains ice crystals, then it is safe to refreeze, but if it goes above 40 degrees follow the same procedure as the refrigerator. If food is no longer frozen but is at a safe temperature, then it needs to be cooked. Depending what you have, this may be a good time to consider soups, stews, and preparing precooked meals that can be frozen and reheated when it’s time to eat them. Those precooked meals are good to have on hand for busy nights and take-to-work lunches – especially after a trying situation like a power outage!