How long does food last in the fridge without power?
Short answer: A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power. A full freezer keeps food frozen for about 48 hours, and a half-full one about 24 hours. Throw out perishable food that has been above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours.
How long the fridge and freezer stay safe
| Appliance | Keeps food safe for | If the door stays shut |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge | About 4 hours | Yes |
| Full freezer | About 48 hours | Yes |
| Half-full freezer | About 24 hours | Yes |
Throw out after more than 2 hours above 40°F (4°C)
- Raw or cooked meat, poultry, fish and seafood
- Milk, cream, yogurt and soft cheeses
- Eggs and egg dishes
- Lunch meat, hot dogs, bacon and pizza
- Cooked rice, pasta and potatoes
- Opened creamy dressings and spaghetti sauce
Usually fine to keep
- Hard and processed cheeses
- Butter and margarine
- Uncut fresh fruit and vegetables
- Peanut butter, jelly, mustard, ketchup, pickles
- Bread, tortillas, muffins and bagels
Can you refreeze it?
Yes, if the food still has ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below. It may lose some quality. Never taste food to decide whether it's safe after an outage.
Before the next outage
- Keep a thermometer in the fridge and the freezer. It's the only way to know what temperature the food reached.
- Keep the freezer full. A full freezer stays cold twice as long as a half-full one.
- Know what's in there. A list of what's in your fridge and freezer tells you what to check, and what to replace, without opening the door.
Common questions
How long does food last in the fridge without power?
About 4 hours if you keep the door closed. After that, throw out perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers.
How long does food last in the freezer without power?
About 48 hours in a full freezer and about 24 hours in a half-full one, if the door stays shut.
Can I refreeze food that thawed during a power outage?
Yes, if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, though the quality may suffer.
Can I taste food to check if it's still good?
No. Never taste food to decide whether it's safe after a power outage. When in doubt, throw it out.
How long food lasts
Source: FoodSafety.gov power outage guide. This page is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.