How long food lasts when the power goes out

Finton Field Guide · 2026-10-31

A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds for about 48 hours, and a half-full one for about 24.

Those numbers come from FoodSafety.gov, and they only hold if the doors stay shut. Every time you open the door, the clock speeds up.

What to throw out

If the power has been out more than 4 hours, throw away refrigerated meat, poultry, fish, eggs and milk.
Thawed freezer food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below.
When in doubt, throw it out. Food can make you sick without looking or smelling bad. See the CDC's guidance on discarding food.

Canned meats, beans, vegetables and fruit, plus a manual can opener.
Dried foods like rice, oats, pasta and dried fruit, which need water and a way to cook.
Jerky and other dried, preserved meats.
A garden and seeds, for anything longer than a few weeks.

Food spoils on a clock in Finton too. Raw meat lasts about a day, cooked meat about two, and fresh greens about four.
Cold weather and a powered fridge slow or stop spoilage. Solar panels and batteries that keep the fridge running are worth more than they look.
Smoke meat into jerky at the fire pit or stove. It keeps for weeks and turns a lucky hunt into days of meals.
Eating spoiled or raw food risks food poisoning. Being sick drains your health right when you can least afford it.
Two weeks of stored meals for your family completes the FOOD homestead need, which is worth 50 points at the end.

This guide is general information for preparedness. Follow official guidance and your local emergency managers, and call 911 in an emergency.