How Long Is Food Safe in a Refrigerator Without Power? 4-Hour and Freezer Guide

Quick answer: In a U.S. household power outage, a refrigerator generally keeps food cold for about four hours if its door stays closed. A full, unopened freezer holds a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours; a half-full freezer for around 24 hours. These are guidelines, not guarantees. Food temperature and how often the appliance was opened matter.

Refrigerator and freezer time limits at a glance

These estimates assume doors remain closed. For the current item-by-item recommendations, check the FoodSafety.gov power-outage food chart.

What foods should you throw away after four hours?

Without ice or another reliable cold source, the CDC recommends discarding refrigerated perishables such as raw meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cut fruit and vegetables, and leftovers after four hours without power. Don’t assume reheating spoiled food will make it safe. Whole, uncut produce and shelf-stable items are different: consult the official chart for each food category.

How to decide whether frozen food is still good

Frozen food can often be cooked or refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or measures 40°F (4°C) or below. Some items lose quality after thawing, and certain foods such as thawed ice cream have different recommendations. If an appliance thermometer shows the freezer remained at or below 40°F, this is useful evidence; still evaluate exposed food separately.

What to do when the lights go out

1. Write down the time the outage began and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
2. If an extended outage is likely, arrange ice, gel packs, or a cooler before the four-hour refrigerator window passes.
3. Keep refrigerated perishables at or below 40°F using a functioning cold source; monitor with a food thermometer.
4. When electricity returns, check temperatures and evaluate foods using FoodSafety.gov’s chart, not smell or taste.
5. Clean any spills and replace discarded food only once the refrigerator can maintain a safe temperature.

Common situations that change the answer

What if I opened the refrigerator several times?

Each opening allows cold air to escape, so the four-hour estimate becomes less dependable. Use recorded temperatures rather than the clock alone.

What if I moved food to a cooler?

Ice or frozen gel packs can keep perishable food safe longer when the contents remain at or below 40°F. Check the actual temperature regularly.

What if the outage happened overnight?

If you cannot establish when power went out or how warm the food became, dispose of questionable perishables instead of relying on smell.

Power outage readiness beyond the kitchen

A whole-home backup system is a separate decision from food safety. Learn the distinction between portable EV power outlets and properly installed home backup in our guide to powering a house with an electric vehicle. For additional official instructions, read the CDC food safety advice and the FDA’s preparation and recovery checklist.

Editorial note: U.S. food-safety guidance; reviewed November 8, 2026. Individual food temperatures and official product guidance take priority over general elapsed-time estimates.