When we travel and store food in the freezer, we run the risk of consuming expired or spoiled food if the power goes out and the frozen food defrosts. But don’t worry! We have a simple and ingenious method to ensure your refrigerator operates at peak efficiency – all you need is a mug of water and a penny.
By following this easy tip, you can say goodbye to the fear of eating expired or ruined food from the freezer.
Here’s how it works: if the power goes out, the water in the mug will freeze alongside the food in the freezer. And when the electricity is restored, you can check whether the penny has moved to a new location on top of the ice. If it has, this indicates that the food in the freezer is still fresh and safe to consume.
This helpful trick can be a lifesaver for individuals who regularly leave food in the freezer while traveling or when they’re away from home. Now, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ll always have access to fresh and healthful meals when you return home from your travels.
Sheila Pulanco Russell, a brilliant woman, has shared her advice on determining whether your refrigerator is working correctly. In a Facebook post, she suggests a simple experiment with a penny and plain tap water.
If the penny freezes, it means your freezer is in good functioning order and can store food cooled and frozen for an extended time. This strategy can be especially beneficial for those who live near the ocean and often struggle to keep their food fresh during power outages.
When Sheila shared this idea on Facebook, it received an overwhelming response from people who found it helpful. The post received tens of thousands of reactions and shares. Many people praised the simplicity and ease of executing this experiment.
You can try this experiment yourself with a cup of water and a quarter placed on top once it’s completely frozen in the refrigerator. Sheila’s “one-cup tip” can also help prevent food deterioration during extended holidays or when you’re away for a few days.
Keeping a cup of frozen water with a quarter on top allows you to quickly assess whether the food has remained frozen or has thawed and refrozen, indicating potential deterioration.
By preventing the need for costly purchases of new refrigerators or wasting food that has deteriorated due to faulty cooling systems, this technique can help you save money.
In conclusion, Sheila Pulanco Russell’s simple yet efficient tip can be a lifesaver for many people who frequently experience rotting food due to malfunctioning refrigerators or power outages. By completing her experiment and following her directions, you can ensure your food stays fresh and healthy for longer, without the need to spend extra money on new appliances or wasted food.
When it comes to defrosted food, it’s crucial to know when it’s safe to eat and when it should be discarded. You can use a simple trick with a quarter and a cup to determine this.
If the quarter has dropped to the bottom of the cup, it means the food has defrosted completely and should be discarded. However, if the quarter is towards the top or middle of the cup, the food may still be safe to eat.
Keep a quarter in your freezer as a backup plan to determine whether the food in your fridge or freezer is still edible during a power loss. When in doubt about the safety of your food, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and toss it out.
Ultimately, when it comes to food safety, your health is the most important factor to consider. If you have any doubts about the quality or safety of your food, it’s better to be safe than sorry and throw it away.
Remember to share this valuable information with your friends and family to keep them informed about food safety concerns and protect their health and well-being.
