Forum home› The potting shed

What should I throw away?

LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,271
in The potting shed
Today we had a planned power cut.  The electricity board needed to "upgrade their networks" and told us our power would be interrupted between 9am & 5pm - so we went shopping in Limerick.

The power went off at 9.10 and was still off when we returned at 5.15pm; it didn't come on again until 6.30.

That's nearly nine and a half hours for stuff in the freezer to thaw out.  What should I really not eat?  I opened the freezer very briefly to remove some sliced bread, which was a little bendy but not fully thawed, but I didn't investigate anything else.  Will fish be ok?  Should we eat it tomorrow, or not at all?  And what about cooked dishes - there's some chicken stew in there...  

Opinions please!  
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
«1

Posts

  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    It’ll all be fine. If the freezer was full it’s fine for about 48 hours if kept shut. 

    24 hours for a half full freezer. 

    We had no power for 13 hours during and after Storm Arwen. 

    I ditched the fridge stuff but kept the freezer food. 

    Nothing has given me so much as a stomach grumble. 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,271
    That's great news, @TheGreenMan - thank you!  I was just a bit concerned because of the slightly bendy state of the loaf end I took out of the freezer.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Bread defrosts really quickly anyway. 

    We had salmon in there. Ate it for Christmas Day breakfast. Pigs in blankets; stuffing and pork parcels. M&S party food. All fine. 

    If in doubt just make sure whatever you do cook is cooked at the proper temp and cook it for a little longer wrapped in foil towards the end. 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,271
    Thanks very much for the tips.   :)

    If I'm still posting on the forum in a few days' time you'll know I haven't poisoned myself...   :D
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Liriodendron said:
    Thanks very much for the tips.   :)

    If I'm still posting on the forum in a few days' time you'll know I haven't poisoned myself...   :D
    Oh don’t! If you disappear I’ll be fretting! 
  • FireFire Posts: 18,146
    edited March 2022
    You can refreeze defrosted meat and fish just fine. Just make sure it is thoroughly, long cooked when you come to it.  Things like frozen milk, herbs, pretty much anything in your fridge should be fine in a freeezer off and sealed for 24 hours.

    Were your ice cubes still frozen when the power came back on?
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,271
    I didn't have any ice cubes...
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,271
    But thanks for the confirmation of what @TheGreenMan said, @Fire.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 87,009
    Late to this party, but I’ll confirm what the others have said. All would be fine as long as the freezer stayed shut. Not a problem. 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,721
    I assume we're all talking about an upright freezer, achest freezer will stay frozen for a week so long as you do not open it. (and it is full).
    If it happens again put the freezer onto fast freeze, or if it doesn't have that function turn the temp down to the minimum before the power goes and to be extra sure you can wrap it (especially the door seals) with some spare duvets etc.
Sign In or Register to comment.