Power Outages and Food Safety
Kalamazoo, Mich.- With spring storms approaching, are you ready to handle a power outage? To help you keep your food supply safe during a power outage, the following procedures and guidelines are recommended:
Your chest freezer
- Without power, a full upright or chest freezer will keep everything frozen for about 2 days. A half-full freezer will keep food frozen 1 day.
- If you expect the power will be coming back on fairly soon, you can keep food frozen longer by not opening the door.
- Keep a thermometer in all your freezers and refrigerators to check the temperature once the power is back on.
- Freezer should be set at or below 0° F.
Your refrigerator-freezer combination
- Without power, the refrigerator section will keep food cool 4-6 hours depending on the kitchen temperature and how often you open the refrigerator door.
- A full, well-functioning freezer unit should keep food frozen for 2 days. A half-full freezer unit should keep things frozen about 1 day.
- Block ice can keep food on refrigerator shelves cooler. Dry ice can be added to the freezer unit. You should be aware, however, that you cannot touch dry ice and you should not breathe the vapors, so follow handling directions carefully.
- Refrigerators should be set at 40° F.
What do I do about thawed food?
- Food still containing ice crystals or that is at refrigerator temperature can be refrozen. Discard any thawed food that has risen to room temperature and remained there 2 hours or more.
- Remember: When in doubt, throw it out!
If you have questions or would like more information about food safety, call the MSU Extension office in Kalamazoo County at (269) 384-8057.
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MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.
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