Freezer Hack

[Andrea]

Simple yet brilliant!

http://www.thisisinsider.com/quarter-in-frozen-water-trick-hurricane-2017-9

The "quarter in frozen cup of water" trick could prevent you from getting really sick in the aftermath of a hurricane.
You just fill a cup with water, freeze it, and stick a quarter on top.
When you come back from a hurricane evacuation, if the quarter is still at the top of the cup, your food is safe to eat.
If the quarter sank, it means your freezer lost power and you should throw your food out.

 

[kappydell]

You said a mouthful.....Simple yet brilliant!

[Mt_Rider]

We happened upon another way to tell if power had been off long enough to endanger the freezer food.  When we were out for 3 wks for wildfire many years ago, we happened to have ice cream in the upstairs and downstairs freezers. [2 for 1 special]   DH had just gone shopping and we'd ALSO just purchased a "part of a cow" in nice white paper packages.  $$$   Then had to flee.  Grabbed the liver, steaks and roasts and had a lot left.....

 

Came back to find the ice cream not slumped and refrozen so we were confident that the rest of the food was safe.  Ice cream will change shape and is quite evident...ice crystals and such.  And it is one of the first foods to melt if power is off.

 

But if ya don't have ice cream handy....that quarter trick always in your freezer would be brilliant.  Put a dime on an ice cube.....cuz most folks have ice cube trays.  [I don't; never use them]  You can't freeze the water after the emergency has begun....no time. 

 

MtRider 

Edited October 28, 2017 by Mt_Rider

[TheCG]

Freeze a half-empty water bottle straight up, then lay it on its side.  You can definitely tell the difference that way, as if the water melts, it'll refreeze into the side of the bottle.

[Mt_Rider]

yep...that would do it!

 

MtRider