Power outages can happen while you’re away, and when you return, it’s often impossible to know if your freezer lost power long enough to spoil your food. A reset clock is a clue, but it doesn’t tell you for how long. This brilliant, low-tech trick using a coin and a cup of water provides the answer.
Why This Trick is So Useful
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Solves a Common Problem: You can’t always tell if a power outage occurred or how long it lasted.
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Prevents Foodborne Illness: It helps you avoid eating thawed and refrozen food, which can harbor dangerous bacteria.
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Provides Peace of Mind: It’s a simple, reliable indicator you can check the moment you get home.
How to Set Up the « Freezer Coin Test »
What You Need:
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A small cup or bowl (a clear one is best)
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Water
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A coin (a quarter is ideal for its size and weight)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Fill the Cup: Place a cup of water in your freezer.
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Freeze Solid: Let it freeze completely until it’s a solid block of ice.
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Place the Coin: Once frozen, place a coin on top of the ice.
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Leave It: Keep the cup in your freezer whenever you’re away for more than a day.
How It Works:
The coin sits on top of the solid ice. If the power goes out and the freezer warms up, the ice will begin to melt. The coin will sink as the ice melts. Even if the power comes back on and the water refreezes, the coin will remain at the level it sank to, telling the story of what happened.