I had a power outage for 8 hours. Can I still eat the food in the refrigerator?
Question:I am in NYC; the refrigerator was never opened and the outage happened overnight. I had milk, eggs, and cold cuts. None of them smell bad. I welcome any real-life stories, especially from fellow New Yorkers.
Answers:
Sorry not from NY, but Michigan. Our power is ALWAYS going out. So glad we pay through the nose for that kind of service.
But anyway, as long as the refrigerator was not opened too many times, your food is fine and can be eatten! Heck, if you don't open the freezer, your ice cream should still be edible!
We lose our power all the time - as long as the frig wasn't opened and the food isn't smelly - go ahead and eat away.
smell it first...when in doubt throw it out
yes, as long as you didnt open the fridge... it can keep food for 14 hours.
I would, but there is a very small chance that you could get food poisoning.
I remember from the outage 4 or 5 years ago everything that was okay i ate and anything that had melted or smelled funky was tossed.So i would say yea as long as its okay and make sure that the cold cuts aren't slimy
If the refrigerator was off over 4 hours .Throw out the food
You should be just fine!! I had a power outage last night for 3 1/2 hrs. It is good that you did not open the doors. The food will last a good 24 hrs in the freezer if you keep the door closed.
I've worked in the "food industry" for almost 20 years. Just because the food doesn't smell bad- does not mean it isn't bad! Get a food thermometer and check the temps on everything before consuming! The temps should NOT go above 40 deg.-F.(salmonella and e-coli start to grow at that temp). If the freezer items thawed (say even partially)- use the 40deg.rule! If the temps are hovering around this temp.-cook it and invite the neighbors over -think of the fun you'll have and your neighbors will one day return the favor. Good luck to you, and remember: If in doubt--throw it out (yea, we did use that fraze in the food business--its a safe rule!)
Thsi one is easy. If you didnt open the doors at all, check the ice bucket. If there is a melted pool of ice in the bottom ( there will stil be cubes) dont eat it. If it is just frozen together you are ok.
As long as the refrigerator wasn't opened and it stay basically cool. I never trust Mayo that has gotten warm, however.
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