How Long Food Lasts in a Fridge During a Power Outage

Find out just how little time you have before the food in your refrigerator and freezer goes bad. Also, see the one thing you should never do.

While talking with a friend who'd been without power in his home for almost 24 hours, I asked what he's doing with his food. He said that much will have to get thrown away. He did tell me that he fired up his grill and cooked everything he could. That's a smart thing to do. Then put all of that cooked food in a cooler with ice if it will be a long while before power is restored.

According to the FDA, if never opened...

Food in a refrigerator ONLY LASTS 4 HOURS in a refrigerator that has lost power.

A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full).

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has the most useful tips for food and water safety during a power outage (or flood).