Estimate whether refrigerated or frozen food may still be safe after a power outage. This tool follows USDA/FoodSafety.gov guidance and is designed to help with conservative food-safety decisions after storms, grid outages, or appliance failures.
USDA Power-Outage Food Safety Rules Used
- An unopened refrigerator generally keeps food cold for about 4 hours.
- A full freezer generally holds temperature for about 48 hours.
- A half-full freezer generally holds temperature for about 24 hours.
- Frozen food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Perishable food that has been above 40°F (4°C) for 2 hours or more should be discarded.
- Never taste food to determine whether it is safe.
Why This Tool Is Conservative
Outage duration alone cannot tell you the exact temperature of every food item. Door opening, room temperature, how full the appliance is, added ice, appliance condition, and starting temperature all matter. When temperature evidence conflicts with the simple time window, use the measured food/appliance temperature and the official FoodSafety.gov item-by-item chart.
If the outage is over but your refrigerator is still not cooling, use the Appliance Problem Checker or read about common refrigerator problems.
Food safety source: USDA/FoodSafety.gov guidance for food safety during power outages. This calculator is educational guidance, not medical advice. People at higher risk for foodborne illness should be especially conservative when food safety is uncertain.