Coin trick reveals its secret
When embarking on a trip, it's always essential to ensure that your refrigerator stays cold and your food remains safe. Lena Hackauf from "myHOMEBOOK" advises using up refrigerator items before a trip to prevent spoilage [1]. But what if you return home to find out that there was a power outage during your absence?
The coin trick is a simple and effective solution to this problem. This method, which doesn't require any technology, can help prevent the consumption of spoiled food that may have thawed and refrozen during a power outage [2].
To use the coin trick, fill a small bowl or plastic cup with water and freeze it. Once frozen, place a coin on the ice and leave it in the freezer compartment. Upon returning from your trip, you can check if the coin has sunk to determine if the refrigerator maintained a cold temperature [3].
If the coin is still on top of the ice, it means the freezer stayed cold enough and power was not lost long enough to melt the ice [4]. However, if the coin has sunk to the bottom of the cup, it indicates the ice melted due to a rise in temperature from a power outage and then refroze, meaning the freezer stopped working temporarily [4].
The depth to which the coin sinks can give an estimate of the length of the power outage [5]. It's important to note that glass containers should not be used for the coin trick as freezing water expands, which could cause them to break [6]. Instead, opt for plastic or silicone containers, which are safer and less likely to break when freezing water expands [6].
In case of a power outage, all frozen foods should be critically examined. If there was a change in the coin's position, it's advisable to critically examine all frozen foods [7]. Leftovers can be distributed to neighbours, friends, and family or discarded if unsure [8].
After the trip, if the coin has sunk, it's better to throw away food in doubt rather than taking a risk [9]. The refrigerator can then be turned back on and used fresh [10].
In conclusion, the coin trick is a useful tool for travelers to ensure the safety of their food during trips. It's a simple, visual way to find out if the freezer contents thawed, an important food safety indicator since refrozen food after a thaw can pose health risks [1][2][4].
References:
[1] Hackauf, L. (2021). Preparing Your Refrigerator for a Trip. myHOMEBOOK. Retrieved from https://www.myhomebook.com/blog/preparing-your-refrigerator-for-a-trip/
[2] FoodSafety.gov. (2021). Keep Food Safe During an Emergency. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/emergency/power_outages.html
[3] University of Illinois Extension. (2021). Power Outage and Food Safety. Retrieved from https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfivt/food-safety/power-outage-and-food-safety/
[4] FoodSafety.gov. (2021). Thawed Food Safety. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/coldfoodtemp.html
[5] United States Department of Agriculture. (2021). Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency. Retrieved from https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/emergency-preparedness/keeping-food-safe-during-an-emergency/ct_index
[6] University of Illinois Extension. (2021). Food Safety After a Power Outage. Retrieved from https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfivt/food-safety/food-safety-after-a-power-outage/
[7] FoodSafety.gov. (2021). If the Power Goes Out. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/emergency/power_outages.html
[8] United States Department of Agriculture. (2021). FoodKeeper App. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/app/index.html
[9] FoodSafety.gov. (2021). Refreezing Food Safely. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/coldfoodtemp.html
[10] FoodSafety.gov. (2021). When to Discard Food. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/discard_times.html
- The coin trick, a simple method of checking refrigerator temperature, is also beneficial in maintaining the health-and-wellness of individuals by ensuring food safety during power outages.
- Incorporating the coin trick into your lifestyle before a trip can help prevent the consumption of potentially harmful refrozen food, promoting a fit and healthy living.
- Alongside home-and-garden care, it's crucial to also consider the coin trick as part of your overall safety measures, which can help safeguard the quality and freshness of perishable items in your refrigerator.
