How to Keep Food Cold When Fridge is Broken

Food Preservation Tips: What to Do When Your Fridge Breaks

Once your fridge stops working, your food starts warming up. Depending on how long the repair or power outage takes, there are steps you can take to save both refrigerated and frozen items.

Walk-In Refrigerator Not Cooling?

For businesses, renting a refrigerated trailer or emergency freezer is a great way to preserve large quantities of food until repairs are made. Refrigerated trailers maintain the necessary temperatures to keep frozen and refrigerated items safe, preventing both food waste and potential health risks.

Home Refrigerator Breakdown

If your home refrigerator breaks, you have more options to protect your food. Here’s what you can do:

• Pack a Cooler: Use a cooler with plenty of ice or dry ice to keep food cold for 2-4 days. Place frozen foods at the bottom and layer refrigerated items on top.
• Use the Freezer: Transfer perishable items from the fridge to the freezer to extend the cooling period. Keep items close together to maintain low temperatures.
• Sand for Produce: Fill crisper drawers with sand to preserve root vegetables and fruits. The sand absorbs excess moisture, keeping produce fresh longer.

Power Outage Hacks

If you lose power, use these strategies to keep your fridge cool until it’s restored:

• Stock Up on Ice: Keeping extra ice in your freezer can help keep food colder for longer.
• Group Items Together: Arrange foods close together at the bottom of the fridge or freezer to share coldness.
• Keep Doors Closed: A full fridge can stay cold for 4 hours, and a fully stocked freezer can maintain safe temperatures for up to 2 days.

Knowing how to preserve your food when the fridge breaks can prevent costly waste. For fast refrigerator repairs, be sure to call a professional technician to get your fridge back up and running.

Frequently Asked Questions