How frozen is frozen?

6 years ago

My freezer (which some complimented recently on another thread) is not holding temp. I’ve been kind of wondering about it for a little while, but as of Saturday it’s definitely an issue. I called for service and was told the defrost isn’t working and everything is blocked with ice. I need to move everything to another freezer, turn off, thaw, they’ll come back and fix.

My question is if the food is good. I have no indication that it’s ever been above freezing, but It’s definitely nowhere near the recommended 0°.

Here’s an ice cube that I placed on the top shelf maybe a month ago. It’s evaporated some but nothing melted and refrozen on the bottom of the jar.

The highest temperature I’ve measured stuff like ice cream is like 15°. I‘m probably going to toss some leftovers and seafood that have been in there too long anyway, but meats and poultry? Nothing fancy, but enough of it to be unfortunate to throw out, especially in these times. Think it’s safe? Think it’s good?

Featured Answer

Olychick

6 years ago

I'm assuming you have another freezer, since you say you will move the food. If not, I once had a freezer failure and was able to call a furniture rental place, they had a freezer to rent and they delivered it to my garage within a couple of hours. It was very budget friendly, no time commitment either.

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Comments (10)

plllog
6 years ago
The fluctuation in temperature might have affected quality, encouraged freezer burn, etc., but it should be safe to eat. Under 40° F is bacteria safe, and under 30° F, you shouldn't have actual rotten decay. The ice cube is a good indicator.
foodonastump thanked plllog
foodonastump
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, that’s what I was hoping to hear. I’ve moved as much as would fit to another fridge. Of course this freezer holds more than a normal fridge. We’ve worked our way through the ice cream and tomorrow we’ll have frozen pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

By the way, I should credit dcarch with giving me the idea for that ice cube test. Such a simple, practical idea I couldn’t believe I never thought of!
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bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
it depends upon whether it is your car engine or something in your freezer.

I would rather buy a new freezer ...

you can always move stuff to your washing machine and defrost the freezer yourself as a stopgap ...
lindac92
6 years ago
I had a refrigerator that had the icing up issue on the freezer part. I stored all i could in another freezer and put the non worrisome stuff....like breads, nuts, flour etc in picnic coolers. Filled my biggest stock pots with hot water from the tap set in the turned off freezer....left the door open and aimed an electric fan at it.....also filled it with "car washing towels"...or dog towels....whatever....
Defrosted in about 2 hours.
Anything in that freezer with the ice cube that didn't melt is just fine....you know the temperature didn't fluctuate much because the ice cube didn't melt.I wouldn't sweat eating anything in there.
foodonastump
Original Author
6 years ago
Dave I generally “get” you after some thought but not this time.

Oly, Linda, thanks for the suggestions but “fortunately” I have another house around the corner that I keep forgetting to sell, which has a perfectly good fridge.

It also has an imperfectly good freezer in the garage which I recently emptied and defrosted after years of neglect, but unfortunately the door closed and it smells like someone died in there and I’m not dealing with that now or maybe ever.
bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
if you have never have had a motor seize up or 'freeze', consider yourself very fortunate. It usually takes some major repair, IME. I would much rather buy a new freezer than an engine, or God forbid, another vehicle. Does that help?

Reminds me of when I bought my son a used vehicle and he drove it to Louisiana. He called and told me his engine froze up and the mechanic there 'claimed' it couldn't be fixed. He was 1,500 miles away and I couldn't confront the mechanic, who refused to talk with me over the phone. After the tow job, he said the engine couldn't be fixed, and offered to take it off my son's hands for $150.
foodonastump
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Ah, ok, I get it now. Unfortunately replacing my freezer would involve more money than the last (and only) engine I ever replaced.
bbstx
6 years ago
On the freezer that stinks, have you thought of putting clay based kitty litter in it? I’ve read it will take out the smell. Of course, you’ve got lots of other things to tend to now, so you may want to put that on the to-do list!
bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
hmmmmm .... depends?

How frozen is frozen?

Olychick

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plllog

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How frozen is frozen?

Olychick

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plllog

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