{"id":901085,"date":"2026-09-19T01:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T01:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/901085\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T01:12:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T01:12:20","slug":"how-long-does-food-last-without-power-experts-share-fridge-and-freezer-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/901085\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Food Last Without Power? Experts Share Fridge and Freezer Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what\u2019s real and what\u2019s hype. While we don\u2019t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do \u2014 which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends on our timelines, like how often you should watch your jeans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on everything in your fridge and freezer. A fall storm, a downed line, a grid emergency \u2014 however the outage happens, you\u2019re often left guessing: Is this still good? Do I need to toss it? And no, a simple sniff test does not tell you what you need to know.<\/p>\n

I spoke with two food safety experts about how long your food actually stays safe once the power fails, the signs it\u2019s time to throw something out, and the simple steps that can help save your perishables the next time your power goes down.<\/p>\n

How long does food stay safe in the fridge and freezer after a power outage? <\/a><\/p>\n

First, to state the obvious, you don\u2019t have to worry about non-perishable food in your pantry. When the power goes out, you really only need to think about perishable stuff in your fridge and freezer. The good news: \u201cA refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened,\u201d says Dr. Vanessa Coffman, alliance director for Stop Foodborne Illness<\/a>. \u201cA full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours, or 24 hours if it is half full, but only if the door remains closed.\u201d <\/p>\n

In other words, a well-stocked freezer buys you significantly more time than a fridge \u2014 but only if you can hold off on opening it. Both experts I spoke with agreed that this tactic of keeping your fridge and freezer shut is key. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important thing you can do is keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible,\u201d says Melissa Vaccaro, senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association<\/a>. \u201cEvery time you open the door, cold air escapes and the temperature inside rises more quickly.\u201d That means you should resist the urge to peek inside and check on things \u2014 each open door lets precious cold air out and speeds up the clock on your food\u2019s expiration.<\/p>\n

How can you tell if food should be thrown out after a power outage? <\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s tempting to trust your senses \u2014 for example, sniffing for a bad odor or examining food to see if it \u201clooks bad\u201d \u2014 but experts say that\u2019s the wrong approach. \u201cOne of the most important things for consumers to understand is that you cannot reliably determine whether food is safe by looking at it, smelling it, or tasting it,\u201d Vaccaro says. \u201cFood can contain disease-causing microorganisms without looking or smelling spoiled. And never taste questionable food to decide whether it is safe.\u201d <\/p>\n

Food that looks, smells, and even tastes normal can still make you sick, so don\u2019t let your gut be the judge. Think about it, do you really want to be dealing with food poisoning during a power outage? <\/p>\n

Instead, the only tried-and-true test is time. \u201cAgain, an unopened refrigerator will generally keep food cold for about four hours,\u201d Coffman says. But once your fridge climbs back up to room temperature, the countdown gets much shorter. \u201cPerishable foods such as milk, cheese, meat, poultry, seafood, and leftovers should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours,\u201d Coffman says. \u201cIf they have been at room temperature for longer than two hours, they should be discarded.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the power comes back on, your freezer requires its own check. \u201cUse time and temperature. After power is restored, check the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer,\u201d Vaccaro says. \u201cIf an appliance thermometer in the freezer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the food may be refrozen. If no thermometer was present, check individual frozen packages. Food that still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below can generally be refrozen or cooked.\u201d <\/p>\n

No thermometer, no ice crystals, and a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, though, means it\u2019s better to toss it than risk it. Keeping appliance thermometers in your fridge and freezer can be a helpful way to monitor whether food is safe or not (more on that below).<\/p>\n

Which products help you keep your food fresh during a power outage?<\/a><\/p>\n

Based on what food safety experts recommend having on hand, I rounded up products designed to help keep your fridge and freezer contents cold during an outage \u2014 from appliance thermometers to coolers and ice packs. Every item below has a 4-star average rating or higher from 1,000 or more shoppers.<\/p>\n

\"Pecula<\/a><\/p>\n

Both experts recommend keeping an appliance thermometer in your fridge and freezer at all times, so you can accurately monitor temperatures if the power goes out. This set comes with two thermometers that cover a range of -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with an easy-to-read safety indicator, making it simple to check whether your food is still within a safe temperature zone.<\/p>\n

\"Coleman<\/a><\/p>\n

During an extended outage, a rolling cooler can double as a practical \u201caccess cooler\u201d for the items you reach for most, says Vaccaro. The Coleman Classic Series Portable Rolling Cooler has a sturdy, insulated design with wheels and a retractable handle, making it easy to move and keep near your kitchen. <\/p>\n

\u201cMove items such as milk, lunch meat, yogurt, and other perishable foods that require refrigeration for safety into a cooler with enough ice or frozen gel packs to keep them at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below,\u201d says Vaccaro. \u201cThis allows you to use those foods without repeatedly opening the refrigerator and losing cold air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cooler<\/a><\/p>\n

These reusable ice packs lay relatively flat and can be tucked into a cooler alongside perishables like milk or deli meat to keep items at a safe temperature during an outage, or store them in your freezer year-round, nestled between frozen foods, so they\u2019re ready to help maintain a safe temperature the moment the power goes out.<\/p>\n

\"Satisure<\/a><\/p>\n

Say the power goes out in the middle of the night. You may not notice and then could wake to a fridge full of potentially spoiled food. This device plugs directly into an outlet and monitors your refrigerator, freezer, or other essential appliances. If the power goes out, it alerts you with a loud sound and flashing LED light, then continues alerting for up to 12 hours \u2014 giving you a chance to act before your food goes bad.<\/p>\n

\"Anker<\/a><\/p>\n

The Anker Solix S2000 is pricey, but it could save your groceries and charge devices and other appliances when the power goes out. It can run a standard refrigerator for more than 30 hours on a full charge, and it recharges from a wall outlet or solar panels<\/a>, according to Anker. If you live in an area (like a hurricane<\/a> zone) that gets hit with a lot of power outages, it may be worth the investment.<\/p>\n

Is there anything you can do before a power outage to keep food from spoiling?<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you know in advance that severe weather or another event may cause a power outage, prepare before the power goes out,\u201d Vaccaro says. \u201cKeep appliance thermometers in both the refrigerator and freezer and freeze containers of water or gel packs so you can move stuff to a cooler if needed.\u201d The Food and Drug Administration<\/a> (FDA) also recommends freezing refrigerated foods you may not need immediately, such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat or poultry, and grouping frozen foods together so they stay cold longer.<\/p>\n

If you know the outage is going to stretch on, it may be worth investing in extra cold power. \u201cIf you know the power will be out for a prolonged period of time, buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible,\u201d Coffman says. \u201cFifty pounds of dry ice should keep an 18 cubic foot, fully stocked freezer cold for two days.\u201d That kind of buffer can be the difference between saving a freezer full of groceries and losing everything in it.<\/p>\n

Still, even with the best preparation, some judgment calls are unavoidable \u2014 and experts say it\u2019s always better to be cautious. \u201cWhen in doubt, throw it out,\u201d Coffman says. \u201cEating food that has been held at unsafe temperatures can increase the risk of foodborne illness.\u201d No amount of prep work is worth the risk of getting sick, so when you\u2019re not sure, the safest move is always to let it go.<\/p>\n

Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up<\/a> for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.<\/p>\n

Meet our food safety experts<\/a><\/p>\n

At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and\/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n

Melissa Vaccaro is a senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association<\/a>Dr. Vanessa Coffman is the alliance director for Stop Foodborne Illness<\/a>.Why trust NBC Selected?<\/a><\/p>\n

I am a commerce editor<\/a> at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about cyclosporiasis<\/a>, the best mini fridges<\/a> and more. For this story, I spoke with two food safety experts about how to keep perishable food fresh during a power outage. <\/p>\n

Catch up on NBC Selected\u2019s in-depth coverage of tech and tools<\/a>, wellness<\/a> and more, and follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, X<\/a> and TikTok<\/a> to stay up to date.<\/p>\n