AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question My freezer is acting up and not freezing the food completely. Everything is about half frozen, I have chicken, hamburger, and steak in the freezer along with vegetables and misc items. What can I do the freeer repair person can't get out until tomorrow. Can you please help me with an answer? I don't want to lose the meats in my freezer.
Answer Hi Cindy,
As long as ice crystals are present in the foods, they are safe. This means the food temperature has not gone above 32 degrees F.
As you probably already know, fruits, vegetables and ice cream are the first things to thaw and may have already completely thawed. Ice cream becomes gummy once thawed and refrozen -- while it's safe to eat it's not very tasty. Whole muscle meats -- chicken, hamburger and steaks -- take longer to thaw.
First -- don't open the freezer door to check on them. Keep the door closed. Is this a chest freezer? If so, cover with blankets as this will slow down thawing.
How full is your freezer? If it is full, it will take longer for foods to defrost. If it is half to 3/4's full it will defrost faster. A full freezer take 2 days without power for foods to be completely defrosted (if you keep the door or lid closed.)
