Perishable food during a winter storm power outage?

[The Tradition]

So, I'm reading this CNN article about the groceries and supplies you should have on hand to prepare for a winter storm, and they have this section on perishable food in your fridge and freezer.

Uh, if the power is out during a WINTER STORM, won't your entire house be like a fridge, and you could put the frozen stuff outside?

During a hurricane power outage, ice is a critical commodity. Everything has to go in beer coolers to keep it cool. But in a winter storm? Am I missing something here?

These are the grocery items you should have in stock before a winter storm | CNN

A powerful winter storm is threatening parts of the United States with crippling freezing rain, sleet and snow, and experts are urging Americans to be prepared.

www.cnn.com

 

[TJ8869]

Unless the power is out for several days, your house isn't going to cool down to 35 degrees in order to keep refrigerated items safe. And if you put stuff outside, neighbor kids and raccoons will get it.

 

[The Tradition]

Unless the power is out for several days, your house isn't going to cool down to 35 degrees in order to keep refrigerated items safe. And if you put stuff outside, neighbor kids and raccoons will get it.

So open a window. Problem solved.

 

[TJ8869]

So open a window. Problem solved.

And let the neighbor kids and raccoons in? Thank you, no.

 

[billanole]

So open a window. Problem solved.

Why would you open the windows? Do you want busted water pipes and a pissed off wife?
Put your food in coolers and put them outside, don’t lose whatever heat the house still has.

 

[DooBii]

My deep freeze in my garage quit working a week ago. I figure I've got at least 6 weeks or so to do something about it. Csb

 

[3boysmom]

When my kids were all home we used the garage as an overflow fridge during the winter. Not cold enough to keep things frozen but refrigerated for sure.

 

[CarolinaHawkeye]

Just don't open the freezer. It'll keep for weeks.

 

[HawCory]

When my kids were all home we used the garage as an overflow fridge during the winter. Not cold enough to keep things frozen but refrigerated for sure.

We used to call the garage the "walk in cooler" during the winter.

 

[QChawks]

the dog and cat could be consumed in an emergency

 

[The Tradition]

Why would you open the windows? Do you want busted water pipes and a pissed off wife?
Put your food in coolers and put them outside, don’t lose whatever heat the house still has.

I guess you weren't following the conversation.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Trad can't understand 1st world problems. He is too busy chain smoking.

 

[ConvenientParking]

the dog and cat could be consumed in an emergency

Maybe cat ladies are just preppers in cities that outlaw keeping chickens?

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

The garage becomes the fridge and the deck the freezer...

 

[red/green hawk]

Why would you open the windows? Do you want busted water pipes and a pissed off wife?
Put your food in coolers and put them outside, don’t lose whatever heat the house still has.

Is that the only thing that pisses your wife off?

 

[billanole]

Is that the only thing that pisses your wife off?

She is generally pretty chill, but that move would not be tolerated.

 

[billanole]

I guess you weren't following the conversation.

Wut? You suggested in Post # 3 how to solve the problem…

TJ8869 said:
Unless the power is out for several days, your house isn't going to cool down to 35 degrees in order to keep refrigerated items safe. And if you put stuff outside, neighbor kids and raccoons will get it.

So open a window. Problem solved

 

[stout1]

Some day you people will learn that Trad is an idiot. Until then carry on.

 

[The Tradition]

Wut? You suggested in Post # 3 how to solve the problem…



So open a window. Problem solved

You still don't get it.

Here, let me explain like you're five years old:

I said, "wouldn't your house get cold enough?"

TJ said, "that won't happen for days."

I said, "open a window."

And of course all of this is joking around, but you still don't get it.

 

[billanole]

You still don't get it.

Here, let me explain like you're five years old:

I said, "wouldn't your house get cold enough?"

TJ said, "that won't happen for days."

I said, "open a window."

And of course all of this is joking around, but you still don't get it.

You are really missing a cog or two.
When TJ said that it would take days for the house to get cold enough for food to keep, that is with the house closed up tight. Opening a window changes the equation. If you want frozen pipes, open a window in sub freezing temps.
Dang dude.

 

[billanole]

Some day you people will learn that Trad is an idiot. Until then carry on.

Oh, we know. Sometimes I slip up and feed the troll. Please remind me not to.

 

[The Tradition]

You are really missing a cog or two.
When TJ said that it would take days for the house to get cold enough for food to keep, that is with the house closed up tight. Opening a window changes the equation. If you want frozen pipes, open a window in sub freezing temps.
Dang dude.

Can't you just run your faucets to keep the pipes from freezing?

 

[paednoch23]

So open a window. Problem solved.

I suppose if you are an idiot. A good way to flood your house and ruin the pipes throughout. Stay in Florida, your IQ isn't high enough to live up here.

 

[paednoch23]

Can't you just run your faucets to keep the pipes from freezing?

No you can't it just doesn't work that way. It got down to -2 here last night. There are so many things in a house that doesn't like that kind of cold including drywall joint compound. Are you really as stupid as you come across?

 

[The Tradition]

No you can't it just doesn't work that way. It got down to -2 here last night. There are so many things in a house that doesn't like that kind of cold including drywall joint compound. Are you really as stupid as you come across?

Someone needs to get their humor detector serviced.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

I'm still laughing, nearly in tears, that Trad claimed "open your windows" What a dumbass

 

[The Tradition]

I'm still laughing, nearly in tears, that Trad claimed "open your windows" What a dumbass

You could do it in a spare bedroom and keep the rest of the house warm enough. Better than throwing away your food.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

You could do it in a spare bedroom and keep the rest of the house warm enough. Better than throwing away your food.

Move on my friend, move on. Go have another heater.

 

[paednoch23]

Someone needs to get their humor detector serviced.

#1 You are really bad at humor or #2 You are playing the "just kidding" game when called out an idiot. I'm going with #2.

 

[paednoch23]

You could do it in a spare bedroom and keep the rest of the house warm enough. Better than throwing away your food.

Give up, please just give up. You are embarrassing yourself.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Someone needs to get their humor detector serviced.

If you think anything you wrote was even remotely funny, it's yours that needs servicing.

 

[The Tradition]

Y'all are no fun at all. Buncha dry farts.

 

[paednoch23]

Y'all are no fun at all. Buncha dry farts.

Methinks you were serious and are now sandbagging.

 

[NoleATL]

So open a window. Problem solved.

You are clearly a southerner...

Edit to add: When it is really cold (decently below 32) with lots of snow on the ground and you want to cool your unrefrigerated beer more quickly, do not cover your beer in snow. The air is colder.

 

[DFSNOLE]

You are clearly a southerner...

Edit to add: When it is really cold (decently below 32) with lots of snow on the ground and you want to cool your unrefrigerated beer more quickly, do not cover your beer in snow. The air is colder.

Speaking of snow, are you getting any? My son in Lawrenceville has all afternoon.

 

[NoleATL]

Speaking of snow, are you getting any? My son in Lawrenceville has all afternoon.

had some... pretty much gone off roads/sidewalks

 

[torbee]

 

[ConvenientParking]

View embedded media

Just need to get up to speed and let God defrost that sucker

 

[hawkfanmb]

Ok just a little life hack. Take a paper cup and fill it with water, freeze it and then place a quarter on top and put it back in the freezer. If the power goes out and the quarter sinks to the bottom of the cup the food in the freezer has thawed if it's still on top good to go. It also works if you're away from home for a vacation or something.

 

[lucas80]

You are clearly a southerner...

Edit to add: When it is really cold (decently below 32) with lots of snow on the ground and you want to cool your unrefrigerated beer more quickly, do not cover your beer in snow. The air is colder.

No, the direct contact with the snow would cool it faster. Now, for a sustained chill you can leave it in the air. Just because you married a Minnesotan doesn’t mean you know all of our Northerner secrets.