Not many people know that before going on any long vacation or holiday, it is recommended to take a glass of ice, place a coin on top, and keep it in the freezer. This little trick enables you to accurately “measure” whether or not there was a power outage while you were away, how long it may have lasted, and the extent to which your refrigerated food might be affected.
Consequently, if you return from your vacation to find the coin still on the surface of the ice block, it means that your refrigerator functioned normally, without any power interruptions. This also means that your family’s food is likely safe to consume.
Before traveling or going home for the holidays, prepare a glass of ice and place a coin on top before storing it in the freezer.
On the other hand, if the coin is found suspended in the middle of the glass, it is possible that your refrigerator lost power and was inactive for a short period of time. In this case, the ice did not have time to melt completely, so when the power was restored, the coin would have been trapped in the middle of the glass. In such situations, the food in your refrigerator may not have spoiled, but to be on the safe side, it is still a good idea to check it thoroughly before preparing any meals.
If the coin has sunk to the bottom of the glass, it is likely that your refrigerator lost power and was inactive for an extended period of time. In this scenario, the food may have spoiled and should not be consumed to avoid any potential health risks.
To make it easier to observe the coin, it is best to use a transparent bowl, plastic container, or glass. If you do not have a coin, you can use a small piece of metal instead.
You can use a small piece of metal instead of a coin.
Important Reminders Before Going on Vacation
Clean Out Your Refrigerator
Before traveling or going home for the holidays, be sure to thoroughly clean out and wipe down your refrigerator. Additionally, discard any spoiled or expired food items to prevent unpleasant odors, rot, or mold from developing inside the appliance.
Do Not Unplug Your Refrigerator
Although many people believe that unplugging the refrigerator during extended periods of absence saves energy and reduces the risk of electrical fires, this is not actually the case. In reality, this practice does not save money and can compromise the function and lifespan of your refrigerator.
Unplugging the refrigerator for long periods can cause the cooling and heating systems to oxidize due to lack of use. As a result, your refrigerator may lose its cooling capacity and experience a shortened lifespan.
Clean your refrigerator after unplugging it.
Instead, to conserve energy, lower the temperature of the refrigerator to its lowest setting. If the refrigerator is empty, it will automatically turn off once it reaches the desired temperature.
For extended vacations of 15 days or longer, it is advisable to unplug the refrigerator to prevent potential power outages from disrupting the gas supply or causing damage to the electrical system in your home. After unplugging, remove all food items and clean the refrigerator thoroughly.
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