fbpx

Why do some people put a coin in the freezer before going on vacation? A genius trick that only a few people know about!

Ever wonder what happens to your frozen food when you're away for a few days? Worried that the power will go out while you're away and everything will defrost? There's a surprisingly easy way to check before you even open the freezer door. A coin!

Why put a coin in the freezer before a vacation?

Before you go on a long trip, consider the consequences of a sudden power outagesThis is even more likely during the hot summer months, as the network is often overloaded by air conditioning and refrigeration units.

If there is a power outage and your freezer stops, you may meat, fish and other delicate foods will partially or completely thaw. When the power is restored, everything will freeze again, but that doesn't mean the food is still safe to eat.

Photo: AI

Why is it important to know if food has remained frozen?

It is often impossible to determine how long has been thawed and has it started to spoil?

Coin on ice – gives important information

You only need a plastic cup, some water and a coin. Before you leave, pour water into the glass and place it in the freezer. Once the water is completely frozen, place a coin on the surface of the ice. Then leave the glass in the freezer until you return.

@the_yaysayers

I shared this awhile back as a tip for when you're traveling, but it's particularly useful for natural disasters, such as Hurricane Hilary 🌀 This isn't a foolproof way to know whether or not your food is safe to eat, but it does give you a starting point to know if, or how long, your power was out. A few additional tips for my fellow Californians: – Have extra water on hand (we should always be doing this in case of earthquakes too!) – Make sure flashlights/lanterns are charged – Charge all phones/battery packs ahead of time (I love my Anker charger because it can last for days!!) – We're going to clean out our yard's drain – we usually do this at the end of summer before winter rains, but we want to make sure any rain we may get can flow out of our yard!💦 Stay safe my friends! 💗 #hurricane #hurricanehilary #hurricaneprep #hurricaneseason #householdtips #california #naturaldisaster #safetytips

♬ original sound – The YAYsayers


When you arrive home, first check, Where is the coin? If it lies at the bottom glass, means the ice has melted and the coin has sunk in. This is a clear sign that there has been a prolonged power outage and the food has probably thawed.

If the coin remains at the top or near the surface, you can assume that the temperature in the freezer has not risen significantly.

Photo: AI

What to do if you discover melted ice?

When you notice it has sunk to the bottom, it is best to throw away all the food. It may seem frozen and safe, but bacteria, which are formed during defrosting, are not destroyed when the food is refrozen.

Be especially careful when meat, fish and prepared foods. If the coin remains on the surface, you can assume with greater certainty that the temperature in the freezer was not too high for too long and that the foods remained safe.

Photo: AI

Practical tips for extra security

While the coin on the ice provides a valuable clue, it's worth supplementing it with a few additional measures. Fill your freezer before you travel
to the top, as a full freezer maintains a low temperature for a longer time.

If you cannot fully charge it, insert plastic water bottles. The frozen water will act as a cooling block and slow down the melting.

Although a coin in a glass of water may seem like a simple solution to such an important problem, this method has proven to be surprisingly reliable. It provides clear visual evidence of what happened while you were away.

With you since 2004

From 2004 we research urban trends and inform our community of followers daily about the latest in lifestyle, travel, style and products that inspire with passion. From 2023, we offer content in major global languages.