Have you ever returned from a vacation to find your digital clock blinking the wrong time? This often means there was a power outage while you were away. These outages can sometimes lead to serious issues, especially with your freezer. If you don’t have a digital clock, it can be challenging to know if there was a power cut at all.

A power outage isn’t a catastrophe, but it can cause problems, particularly with your freezer.

Preparing for Vacation

When you’re preparing for a holiday, there’s a lot to keep track of. Arrangements for pet care, securing valuables, and locking your home are all essential. Did you remember to turn off the stove? Is the thermostat set low? With so many details to manage before leaving home for an extended period, here’s a simple trick involving a coin in your freezer that can help you when you return.

The Power Outage Dilemma

If you come back after a few days away and notice your digital clock shows the wrong time, it indicates a power outage occurred. Without a digital clock, though, it’s hard to tell. Why is a power outage while you’re away concerning? If the power was out for an extended period, your freezer might have thawed. This means the food inside could have thawed and refrozen, which is particularly problematic for meat. When meat thaws, bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli can grow, making it unsafe to eat once refrozen.

The Impact of Thawing

A thawed freezer can cause various issues. Thawed and refrozen meat can make you sick. Other foods might not cause illness but will lose their flavor and texture. Ice cream, for instance, will turn into ice crystals and lose its smooth consistency. So, how does a coin help with this?

The Coin Trick

To detect a power outage while you’re away, try this simple trick with a coin. An American woman named Sheila Russell came up with this clever hack. Here’s how it works: Fill a plastic cup with water and freeze it. Once the water is completely frozen, place a coin on top. When you return from your vacation, check the cup. If the coin is at the bottom, it means your freezer thawed at some point.

Troubleshooting Your Freezer

This trick is also useful if your freezer has issues staying on. Place a cup of ice with a coin on top in the freezer to easily monitor if it has warmed up. Check regularly to determine if your freezer needs repair.

Freezing Tips

Did you know you can’t freeze everything? Many people store leftovers in Tupperware in the freezer, but not all foods freeze well. Pasta and rice, for instance, can become slimy and lose their texture when frozen and thawed.

This simple coin trick can save you from the unpleasant surprise of spoiled food and help you ensure your freezer is functioning correctly while you’re away.