Have your digital clocks ever flashed the wrong time when you returned from a trip, a work trip, or perhaps a weekend away with the family? It doesn’t take long for you to discover that you had a power outage while you were away, but you can’t really pinpoint when it happened or how long it lasted.
The length of time that food in your freezer may have thawed, been ruined, and then been frozen again is likewise impossible to determine.
But is it?
Sheila Pulanco Russell posted a brilliant tip on her Facebook wall for anyone who had to leave their home because to Hurricane Matthews, which swept through sections of the United States in 2016. The approach can ease your mind about whether or not the food in your freezer is safe to consume or needs to be thrown out right away in the event of any extended absence from your home, though.
A mug, a coin, and some tap water—three everyday items that everyone already has—are the magic trio that unlock the secret.
Sheila provides instructions in a Facebook post that garnered tens of thousands of replies and shares right away. She says:
“I just heard a terrific advice for those of you who are fleeing from the coast. The one-cup tip is the name of it. You put a cup of water in your freezer, let it solidify, then top it with a quarter and leave it there. In this manner, you may determine whether your food remained frozen during your evacuation or whether it entirely went bad and just refroze when you return.
The food should be thrown out if the quarter has reached the bottom of the cup, indicating that all of it has defrosted. Your food might still be fine, though, if the quarter is either at the top or in the center of the cup. You should also keep this in your freezer at all times so that you have it as a backup in case you experience a power outage.
Simply discard your food if you don’t feel good about it. The most important thing is everyone’s safety. Share this on your page, please.”
The food should be thrown out if the quarter has reached the bottom of the cup, indicating that all of it has defrosted. Your food might still be fine, though, if the quarter is either at the top or in the center of the cup. You should also keep this in your freezer at all times so that you have it as a backup in case you experience a power outage.
Simply discard your food if you don’t feel good about it. The most important thing is everyone’s safety. Share this on your page, if you would.Simple, efficient, and unquestionably cost-effective because you don’t need to throw out large amounts of food. Please tell all of your friends about this cool technique!
