Expert: Carol Schlitt - 6/11/2006

Question
How long will food last in a refridge when the power goe's out?  

Answer
Hi Steven,

If the refrigerator is full and you keep the door shut, the refrigerator will keep food cool 4 to 6 hours without electricity.  

To keep temperatures cool longer, add bags of regular ice. Place the ice on upper shelves and pans to catch the melting ice on lower shelves. The more ice you use, the longer the temperature will stay cool. Open the door only to add ice. Place a thermometer in the area furthest from the ice. Check the refrigerator temperature when adding ice and as soon as the power returns to be sure that food has been kept below 40F.

Generally, if food is above 40 degrees when the power returns you'll need to throw away any milk products, eggs, meats and open mayonnaise-type products.  Jams, jellies, mustard, ketchup, pickles, hard cheeses, margarine, butter and fresh fruits and vegetables are generally safe and can be salvaged.

For a good reference on what to do with food in an emergency, check out this website:  http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/CFS/CFS-119.html

Good luck,

Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
University of Illinois Extension