A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours during a power outage, according to FoodSafety.gov’s chart last reviewed August 8, 2024. Keep the door shut. If the outage lasts longer, use a thermometer and the food-specific guidance below to decide what to keep; discard refrigerated perishables that have been above 40°F (4°C) for two hours or more.
How long does a refrigerator stay cold without power?
FoodSafety.gov estimates that a refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if its door stays closed. This is a general estimate, not a guarantee: the result can vary with the appliance, its temperature before the outage, how full it is, and whether the door is opened. Keep the door closed to preserve the cold.
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After an outage lasting more than four hours, FoodSafety.gov advises discarding refrigerated perishable foods. Examples include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers. The official power-outage food chart gives item-by-item guidance, including exceptions: some foods, such as hard cheeses, may be kept when similar soft cheeses should be discarded.
How to decide what to keep
Check time and temperature
FoodSafety.gov identifies 40°F (4°C) as the cold-food threshold. Discard perishable food that has been above that temperature for two hours or more. If the surrounding temperature is above 90°F (32°C), the limit is one hour. Use an appliance thermometer to check the refrigerator rather than relying on how it feels.
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If you do not know how long food was above 40°F, or cannot establish that it stayed cold, follow the official chart’s discard guidance for the specific food. Do not taste food to test it: smell and appearance cannot establish whether it is safe, and cooking does not undo unsafe time-temperature exposure.
Use the food-specific chart
Different refrigerated foods have different keep-or-discard recommendations. Check the FoodSafety.gov chart for the exact item instead of treating every food in the refrigerator alike. This matters for categories such as cheese, where the guidance distinguishes among types.
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Does the freezer follow the same rule?
No. FoodSafety.gov says a closed freezer holds its temperature for approximately 48 hours when full or 24 hours when half-full. Those estimates apply to freezers, not refrigerators.
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What to do before and during an outage
- Keep appliance thermometers in both the refrigerator and freezer so you can check temperatures.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- If an outage may last more than four hours, have a cooler and ice or frozen gel packs ready. A cooler helps only if food stays at or below 40°F (4°C).
- For a prolonged outage, consult FoodSafety.gov’s emergency food-safety guidance for information on dry or block ice and safe handling.
A thermometer helps you assess conditions; it does not extend the refrigerator’s holding time. For routine temperature and handling practices, see FoodSafety.gov’s four steps to food safety.
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