How long can a fridge stay cold without?

Author: Annetta Hansen  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

Keeping the Refrigerator Chilled Food in the refrigerator will remain cold for about 4 hours if the door stays shut. Eat the most perishable items first, such as leftovers, meat, poultry, and foods containing milk, cream, sour cream, or soft cheese.

How long will my fridge stay cold without power?

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 can milk last in the fridge without power?

How long will milk/eggs last during a power outage? Milk, eggs, fish, meat and leftovers will last four hours in the refrigerator, as long as the door stays closed the entire time.

How long does it take for a refrigerator to get cold after being unplugged?

Time to Room Temperature: It can take around 4 to 6 hours for the temperature inside the fridge to approach room temperature, but this can vary. Factors Influencing Time: Fridge Size and Insulation: Smaller, well-insulated fridges retain cold longer.

How long can cold stuff stay out of the fridge?

Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the Danger Zone. Never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours.

How Long Will a Refrigerator Stay Cold Without Power

What happens if the fridge door is left open for 12 hours?

Since the compressor has to work harder to maintain the temperature inside the fridge, it puts extra load and pressure. This leads to increased wear and tear on the compressor. This is potentially detrimental to the overall lifespan of the refrigerator leading to frequent breakdowns.

How long does it take for food to go bad without refrigeration?

TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher).

How long is food safe in an unplugged fridge?

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

Will an empty refrigerator stay cold?

Food absorbs the cold air, which helps to chill the food next to it. When the refrigerator is too empty, the appliance is working very hard (and costing you money) just to cool a few items. You may find you empty refrigerator not cold enough, or you could find delicate items (i.e., lettuce) freezing.

How long will a refrigerator stay cold if you don t open the door?

Food in the refrigerator will remain cold for about 4 hours if the door stays shut. Eat the most perishable items first, such as leftovers, meat, poultry, and foods containing milk, cream, sour cream, or soft cheese.

Do I have to throw out butter after a power outage?

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.

Is food safe in the refrigerator at 50 degrees?

Chilling foods to proper temperatures is one of the best ways to slow the growth of these bacteria. To ensure that your refrigerator is doing its job, it's important to keep its temperature at 40 °F or below; the freezer should be at 0 °F.

How long does it take for milk to spoil without refrigeration?

Everyone wants to keep their milk fresh as long as possible, but did you know that how long your milk sits out can impact that? In general, perishable foods like milk should not sit out of the refrigerator or cooler for longer than two hours.

How long can a refrigerator sit without being plugged in?

Luckily, your fridge can go without power and keep your food safe for up to 48 hours, depending on the food and how it's stored. Here's everything you need to know—including when bacteria growth becomes a threat and forces you to toss perishable food.

How long does cheese last in the fridge without power?

Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power or 2 hours after the temperature rises above 41 °F.

How long can a fridge stay cold without power on Reddit?

Also a Fridge should last 8 hours without power, just keep it closed the entire time. But can help keep it cool by loading it up with bottles of water in advance to add some extra thermal mass.

Is it OK to leave an empty fridge on?

If you are going to be away for a month or less, we recommend the following: Leave the refrigerator running. Leave the temperature controls at the normal settings. If all the food is removed and you want to save energy, the temperature control may be set to a warmer temperature setting during the absence.

What happens if you don't let a fridge sit?

It is important to leave your fridge to settle after moving to protect the appliance's internal parts and to ensure that the fridge continues to work to maximum efficiency. When moving a fridge, the compressor oil can leak into the refrigeration system, causing a blockage if the appliance is turned on too quickly.

Is it OK to leave a refrigerator unplugged for a long time?

In general, it is advisable not to exceed a few weeks. Three important pieces of information regarding the safe duration of leaving the refrigerator unplugged are: Climate Impact: Warmer climates may accelerate the formation of odors or mold, making it advisable to keep the unplugged period shorter.

Can I turn off my fridge for 6 months?

If you are going away for a month or longer, it is a good idea to unplug your refrigerator to save energy. Empty your refrigerator, drain the water tank if you have one, clean the inside of the appliance and leave the doors open to avoid any unwanted odours.

Will meat spoil at 45 degrees?

Discard any refrigerated perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs or leftovers) that has been at refrigerator temperatures above 40°F for four hours or more.

How long can a fridge be off before food spoils?

The USDA said refrigerators will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage. After that, perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and cooked leftovers should all be put in the garbage. Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning with NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.

Is butter ok after a power outage?

Refrigerated foods that can be held at temperatures above 40ºF until power returns include: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, fresh fruits, fruit juice, fresh unpeeled vegetables, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles, jams, jellies and peanut butter.

Can food be left out of the fridge for 5 hours?

Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If food is left out in a room or outdoors where the temperature is 90 degrees F or hotter, food should be refrigerated or discarded within just 1 hour. Myth: When I microwave food, the microwaves kill the bacteria.

Previous article
How do you check a water pipe?
Next article
Should I go to the ER if my cast gets wet?