To ensure your food safety if you are away from home, use this simple hack

Whether you're away briefly or traveling for longer, unexpected power outages can happen at any time. Ideally, we are at home and aware of how long our refrigerator and freezer have been off, but that is not always the case when we are away. This simple life hack can help you ensure food safety even when you're not around. This is prepared by SSP.

How It Works

Fill a cup with water and put it in your freezer until it’s solid. Place a coin on top of the frozen water. The next time you return home, check the position of the coin:

Coin at the bottom

The power was out long enough for the ice to melt completely and refreeze when the power came back. This is a strong indicator that your food might no longer be safe.

Coin midway or on top

Your power outage was either too short to cause a significant melt or didn’t happen at all. In this case, your food is probably still safe to eat.

Practical Applications

This method serves not just as a fun trick but as a practical solution for those concerned about food safety during prolonged absences, such as vacations or evacuations. Bacteria can start growing as soon as frozen food begins to thaw, and refreezing thawed food is generally unsafe.

According to the Tiffy Taffy website, the position of the coin can offer a reliable indication of how long your freezer was without power. The No Grid Survival Projects Facebook page suggests tossing your food if the coin sinks to the bottom, as it implies a significant power outage.

Conclusion

This life hack is particularly useful if you have a temperamental refrigerator or freezer. It requires minimal effort—just a cup, some water, and a coin—and can save you from the hassle of food contamination. When in doubt, remember: if the coin sinks, throw it out.

However, according to Lifehacker, this trick is completely pointless.