How long can a freezer go without power before food spoils?

Author: Kaela Marquardt  |  Last update: Monday, January 26, 2026

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

How long is food ok in the freezer without power?

A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, however, its quality may suffer. Never taste food to determine its safety.

How to tell if food in the freezer is bad after a power outage?

Foods from the freezer:

If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 41 °F or below, the food is safe. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.

Can you eat food if the freezer is defrosted?

It would probably be fine. Texture will definitely take a hit, and theres always some bacterial growth when things thaw out. Of course there is always some minor risk of getting ill, do you have a weak stomach?

Does butter go bad if power goes out?

Safety of Specific Food Products

Hard cheese, butter and margarine: Well packaged products should remain safe; if odors or mold develops, discard the items. Milk products and mayonnaise: Discard if held above 40ºF for more than 2 hours. This category includes milk, cream, yogurt, and soft cheeses.

How long before food spoils in fridge or freezer when power goes out?

What foods to throw away after a power outage?

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any refrigerated food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for more than 4 hours. Throw away refrigerated food that has an unusual odor, color or texture. Throw out perishable food in the refrigerator after 4 hours without power.

How long does milk last without power?

A few minutes should be fine. In fact, even a few hours probably won't hurt. Once you get past four to six hours, though, the safest thing to do is throw out every perishable item in your refrigerator. As painful as that might be to your wallet, it's not as painful as food poisoning or serious illness would be to you.

What foods cannot be refrozen after thawing?

These principles apply to meat, poultry, shellfish, some vegetables and cooked foods. Do not refreeze ice cream and similar frozen desserts. You can cook and eat thawed but still cold food mixtures like casseroles, pot pies, frozen dinners or pizzas but do not refreeze them.

Can I put food straight back in freezer after defrosting?

No. Defrosted food should not be refrozen unless first cooked to over 75 °C and should not be refrozen more than once following this cooking step. However, many manufacturers will put a statement on their foods along the lines of 'This product has been previously frozen but is suitable for home freezing.

What to do with food if the freezer stops working?

Place the food in ice chests or insulated boxes. Wrap the boxes in newspapers and blankets. Check with neighbors to see if their freezers have space for your food.

Do you have to throw out condiments after a power outage?

Salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter. May be kept unrefrigerated until power returns.

How long does it take for food to go bad in freezer?

Frozen food will remain safe indefinitely if frozen properly.

Can a power outage damage a freezer?

Appliance Vulnerability to Power Surges

However, the impact of these surges varies significantly depending on the appliance's design and functionality. Refrigerators and Freezers: Surges can damage the compressor, control panels, and electronic displays, leading to cooling failures or erratic temperature control.

Is it safe to eat frozen food that has thawed and refrozen?

Refreezing is perfectly safe, according to the U.S.D.A., so long as the food was thawed in the refrigerator — the most foolproof method to keep pathogens at bay, Dr.

How do you keep frozen food frozen without electricity?

Dry ice from a local ice company or grocery store can help save frozen food. Use caution when handling dry ice and follow these tips: Never touch with bare hands, taste, or put in mouth. Provide good ventilation prior to placing dry ice in freezer and don't inhale gas vapors.

How long can frozen food sit out?

Do not refreeze any foods left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90 °F. If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly.

How long will food stay frozen in a freezer without power?

The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

What food is safe if the freezer is defrosted?

Discard heated leftovers. Thawed cakes, biscuits, breads, fruits and fruit juices are okay to refreeze once if no strong 'yeasty' smell. Thawed snap frozen meat, poultry or fish is okay to refreeze if still below 4°C or transported and handled safely and spent less than 2 hours in temperature danger zone.

How long after plugging in a freezer can it be used?

Once the unit is in the house you should: Leave the appliance to sit for 3 hours. Then plug it in and switch it on. It should then be left overnight to stabilize before putting any fresh food into it.

What to do if food in the freezer thaws?

If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible.

What happens if you eat food that has been frozen twice?

So thawed food will have some bacteria that can multiply at room temperature, meaning that if the food is refrozen, there will be an increase in bacterial count by the time it is thawed again. This becomes a non-issue if the thawed food is reheated to an internal temperature of 75 degrees C.

Why can't you refreeze uncrustables?

We do not recommend refreezing Uncrustables® products. Doing so may create ice crystals that cause the bread to become soggy when thawed.

Do eggs need to be refrigerated?

To reduce Salmonella growth, eggs gathered from laying hens should be refrigerated as soon as possible. After eggs are refrigerated, they need to stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the movement of bacteria into the egg.

How long is refrigerated tuna fish good for?

Canned Tuna or Salmon

Will stay fresh after opening for three to four days in the refrigerator. Transfer opened canned fish to a sealed glass container or plastic bag.

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