Most people do not tend to use their freezers to its optimum capacity. The freezer can be an important part of our storage plan; it can help in preserving eatables, particularly fruits and vegetables, for longer durations. We can enjoy the preserved foods even when the prices go up or when availability is scarce. However, what happens during a power outage in such cases? Here are some tips to safeguard your freezer contents during such situations.

1. Before an outage

If you’re aware that there might be a problem of power outage, you must be prepared at all times to ensure that the food is not wasted or it does not perish. Immediately before the outage, set the temperature of your freezer close to the lowest possible — this is done so that the temperature can be sustained for a longer duration of time. Also, it’s advisable to stock the freezer with a lot of ice, because that will serve as a buffer when the power is out. This allows the freezer to always work efficiently. After that, install a freezer alarm. A freezer alarm will let you know if the freezer temperature goes beyond a certain lower limit, and you will be able to take effective steps in such cases. These pre-outage tips are important for freezer safety.

2. During the outage

A basic rule for maintaining freezer safety during an outage is to not open the freezer. You will be concerned and tempted to open the freezer to check the contents. However, each time you open the freezer, the food inside is blanketed by warm air, which again takes some time to cool off. During a power outage, it is suggested to cover the food with a blanket, which will enable further insulation. Users are also advised to further stock ice in the freezer when there’s no power, and completely fill up the freezer with ice. You may also consider getting ice from the nearby departmental store for this. Lastly, if you can see that there’s no way of saving the food from an outage that has lasted longer than expected, remove all of it and consume it.

3. After an outage

Once the outage is over, and you can still see some ice crystals in the freezer and the temperature is still considerably lower, you can safely refreeze the food. There might be a change in the quality of certain food items like ice cream and yoghurt, but overall the food will be usable and in good condition. However, if the temperature is high and all the ice has melted, it is advisable to throw the food away when in doubt. You can always test the foods to ensure that they are fine. If you’re unsure, it’s best to throw the food away. For your safety, it is recommended to not take chances with unfrozen food.