How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out?

Re:How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out? by wtvanhest on Monday August 10, 2020 @12:11PM (#24110790)

There is a good trick to use if you leave on vacation (or for monitoring breast milk for those new parents). You can freeze a cup of water, and throw a coin on top. If your freezer melts at any point, the coin will be at the bottom, not the top of the water glass when it refreezes.

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Re:How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out? by woobar on Monday August 10, 2020 @01:21PM (#24111666)

Ice floats. Even if the most of the ice in the cup has melted, but there was a little bit of it left, the coin will stay on top.

From my personal experience: while we were away on vacation, there was a power outrage for 24_ hours. Coin was on top, but all ice cream and frozen packaged food was ruined. Not sure about big chunks of beef.

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Re:How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out? by dr_zoidberg on Monday August 10, 2020 @01:33PM (#24111790)

A similar tip is to leave an ice cube of of a tray, or in a bag. If the cube is out of shape when you return, it thawed.

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Re:How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out? by wtvanhest on Monday August 10, 2020 @06:08PM (#24114599)

I left the comment partially to see if anyone countered it.

I wonder if the better solution would be to tip it on a 45 degree angle. If it melts, it will now be flat with gravity. No coin required

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Re:How long does a freezer stay frozen when the power goes out? by jbn on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @03:05PM (#24202871)

a variant is to put an ice cube out of its container and tilted on the rack inside the fridge. If it thaws, it will fail through the rack and not be where you left it when you check for it.

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