Any unexpected incidents in the kitchen put the foodstuff on the risk usually.
Except for the fire, the worse that can happen is a power outage of the freezer.
Since there we usually keep everything that requires specific storage conditions and is very sensitive to external exposure, any breakdown may lead to the foodstuff spoilage.
How long will food last in the freezer without power?
Well, this question is the main issue that bothers people in such a situation!
Fortunately, we know the answer and this article can help you deal with this problem in the blink of an eye!
How Long Can Freezer Last Without Power?
First of all, we need to find out the very important thing: how long can a freezer go without power?
If you are aware of the time period that the foodstuff can stay safe inside the freezing camera, you will then know how much time you have to fix the situation and take appropriate measures.
Also, then it will be clear for how long the freezer power outage can be harmless for its content before everything starts spoiling slowly.
According to the official data derived from the appropriate research, the freezer is able to hold its inside temperature without any significant fluctuations after the power outage for twenty-four hours in case it is half-filled with the content.
When being full, then the inside temperature will remain stable for two days after the breakdown took place.
Knowing this, you can now be aware of how much time you would have in case of any power outage.
How Long Will a Chest Freezer Last Without Power?
You may be surprised but not any kind of freezer is able to keep the temperature stable for the same period of time.
If we are talking the ordinary freezing camera that any fridge has, then it will last for eighty-four hours in case of a breakdown.
But how long will a chest freezer stay cold without power, for example?
If this kind of freezer happens to have no power, remember that in this case, if it is half-full, you can safely keep food in it for twenty-four hours only which is one day less than in the ordinary freezer.
On the other hand, it the upright freezer it completely filled with the foodstuff, it can remain durable for a period of two to four days at most without any power.
You can extend its durability period by making a sort of insulation using towels to keep the cold inside.
Only double-check that the compressor remains uncovered.
How Long Will Food Last In The Freezer Without Power?
However, being aware of the period your freezer will stay working is not the only important thing you need to take into account.
The power outage affects the food in the freezer slowly which may cause its spoiling if no measures are taken in time.
Depending on the type of freezer you are using, the average time that the food can spend in it without any harm varies from one to four days.
If the foodstuff is being kept in the ordinary freezing camera that belongs to the fridge, it will remain frozen for two days there.
However, if we are talking an upright freezer, it can keep the groceries frozen for four days in case it is fully filled.
If not, count on the term of twenty-four hours.
Generally, the temperature inside the freezer is either zero degrees or lower.
If you have a thermometer in the freezer and it shows that its content has spent more than two hours at above forty degrees, certain types of foodstuff must be discarded instantly.
Among them there are:
- raw meat, leftover or cooked, as well as seafood, fish, and poultry
- meat or seafood containing salads
- gravy and broth
- sausages, dried beef, and bacon
- pizza
- soups and stews together with casseroles
- canned meat or fish when it’s opened
- soft and low-fat cheese
- any milk products except for butter and margarine
- eggs
- fresh fruits, cut
- cooked pasta, rice, and potatoes
How to Save Food From Spoiling In The Freezer Without Power?
The sooner you take the preventive measures to save the foodstuff the longer it will last.
What would be even better is to take care of the problem and prepare in advance for any troubles with the power?
What to do to prevent the power outage of the freezer from affecting the food badly?
- Always keep bottled water in the freezer in case of the power breakdown. In this case, if the power is off, those frozen bottles will extend the life of the foodstuff when the freezer starts warming up.
- Another variant is to make ice packets in advance for the same purpose and leave them in the freezer.
- It will help to gather all the frozen food together in the freezer. Like that, it will remain cold longer.
- If there is a chance of a power breakdown, remove some of the refrigerated food to the freezer to extend its life. For example, milk, meat, and poultry, as well as leftover food can be frozen without any problems.
- Always keep the freezer door tightly closed to avoid the leakage of the cold air and to prevent the warm air from getting inside.
When following these suggestions, you will manage to save most of the foodstuff without any loss.
In addition, we would recommend to always have a thermometer in the freezer.
You surely know that the temperature level there must be either at zero degrees or lower to keep the content safe and edible.
When being not able to define the exact temperature, you will most likely miss the moment when the food can start spoiling.
Well, now you are totally informed and in case of the power outage of the freezer, you will have enough time to take care of its content properly.
Mind your freezer and foodstuff, and take care!
How long does baby food last in the freezer? I used to keep out for a month or two, but my friend recently told me that it can remain fine for up to half a year! Is that true? Do I throw it too soon?!
Hi! Well, if you are talking about homemade baby food, then your friend is right: such meals can last for three months, but they will still be fine even if stored for up to six month if frozen correctly. However, I would not be so sure about the store-bought products.
I recently started storing my foods being vacuum-sealed. But there is the question now: how long does vacuum sealed food last in the freezer?
According to my experience of a person who tried all possible ways of food storage, from freezing to pantry-keeping, a vacuum-sealed foodstuff can stay edible when kept frozen for two or sometimes even three years!
Hi! Please, give me a hand with a food storage issue. How long does cooked food last in the freezer? If I store leftovers and a freshly-cooked meal, will their times of storage vary?
Yes, the duration of storage will be different depending on whether it is a recently cooked meal like stew or soup, or you are going to freeze leftovers. The leftovers will last for a month or two, but a proper dish can remain consumable from three to even six months (cooked meats and poultry last the longest)!
How long will food last in the freezer during a power outage? We often have troubles with power and our freezer goes off. So does it make sense to stock food there at all under such conditions?
Oh, that was my huge issue not so long ago! What I can personally tell you is that you can safely leave it in the freezer for up to forty-eight hours. During that period of time, the food will not spoil for sure. Anyway, a power outage usually doesn’t last longer than several hours.
Hi! If there are any mommies here, could you please help me out? For how long can pureed baby food last if in the freezer?
Hi there! I would say three months is the longest term. The food will not rot right after that, but its quality will start degrading.
How long does hamburger last in the freezer with a food saver? I know that usually their term of use would be around half a year. But what if I’m using a Foodsaver?
In your case, I would expect it to last for a year or even longer.
We often have power issues at home, and our freezer goes off, sometimes even for a day or more. If the compressor goes bad in a freezer, how long will food last?
I guess that, if the freezer is off, its content will be able to stay fine for 48 hours for sure. But if it takes more time, then you should expect it to start spoiling.
How long does pre cooked food last in the freezer? Since I have no time for cooking after I’m back home from work, storing it pre-cooked is the only option. But what is the period of time I can keep it being of a good quality and taste?
Well, depending on what sort of food it is, you can keep it frozen from three to six months.
I had just put in red meat into my freezer in the afternoon around 12:00 noon when we had a storm and our electricity went out from 6:30 pm that evening and came back on at 3:30 am for a total of 9 hours. When I checked the red meat, half of it was frozen and half was raw. Is it okay to use this meat? Thank you!
hi, if there are no signs of spoilage, sure, you can use this meat.