Usually, fridges stop working when least expected. When your refrigerator dies when it stops cooling to around 2.8°C, it’s time to take action. The last thing you want is your food spoiling.
Until you’re able to get your old fridge repaired or switch to a new fridge, you need some handy tips. In this article, we teach you how to get through the disaster quickly.
Make Two Piles
Firstly, you must choose the foods that are top priority to keep cold. The rest of them can be left on the counter until you have a running fridge.
Some of the foods that don’t need to be kept cold include:
- Herbs
- Potatoes
- Most fruits and vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Most cooking oils, with the exception of nut oils
- Coffee
- Honey
- Ketchup, mustard and hot sauce
- Bread
Some of the foods that you need to keep cold to prevent bacteria growth and spoilage include:
- Eggs
- Leftovers and meats (cooked or uncooked)
- Dairy products (cheese, milk, whipped cream, sour cream)
Make Use of a Food Cooler
Now that you have put your food in 2 separate piles, it’s time to store the foods that must be chilled.
Grab a food cooler or an ice chest. Put a layer of frozen foods at the bottom. Next, put a layer of foods from the fridge right on top of that layer. Take more frozen foods and top off that layer. The frozen foods will keep all the other foods cold. In the meantime, go grab some more ice or fridge thermometer from the store.
As soon as you get your ice, you will need to nestle it around the food items in the cooler. Make sure you distribute the ice equally. This will ensure that all the food will be kept at a more consistent temperature.
Put a fridge thermometer inside the cooler to make sure that your food isn’t getting too warm.
Final Tip
You can use your freezer if you don’t have a food cooler. Freezers are insulated. They will keep your food cold just as long as you remember to keep the door shut. Also, make sure there is a fresh supply of ice in it.
