ADVERTISEMENT
Checking after you get back from vacation: When you get back from vacation, check where the coin is. If the coin is at the very top of the ice, it means that your food didn’t thaw while you were gone (your fridge was working fine).
If the coin has sunk: If the coin has settled to the bottom of the container or is completely hidden, it means that you’ve thawed and then re-frozen the food. If this happens, you should double-check the contents of your freezer, as this could mean that some of the food has become unsafe to eat.
Variations:
Using other items: You can try using another item, such as a piece of fruit or smaller coins, to help you see how deep the thawing has gone.
Double-monitoring: If you have multiple containers of food in your freezer, you can make several of these “indicators” and place them in different parts of the freezer to more closely monitor how the thawing has affected the food.
FAQ:
Does this trick only work in the freezer?
Yes, because it mainly checks whether the freezer temperature has been maintained at the right level. It can also work in a fridge, but it is less effective.
Do I need to use a coin?
A coin is practical because its material does not melt easily and remains visible on the ice surface. You can use any other object, but a coin is the most popular choice for its properties.
Can I use this trick to check other appliances?
This is a trick that works best on freezers, but similar techniques can be applied to other appliances, such as fridges, where you will be checking the temperature based on the appearance or position of the object.
see more on next page
ADVERTISEMENT
