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When Power Goes Out: Refrigerator and Freezer Food Safety Tips for Boating Trips

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Each year, roughly 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) get sick from a foodborne illness. According to the CDC, one of the two leading causes of foodborne illness is “allowing food to remain at an unsafe temperature too long.”

If not properly frozen or refrigerated, it doesn’t take much time out on the water for food temperatures to rise, causing bacteria to rise to dangerous levels. Taking the necessary precautions can keep your food safe to eat and the people on your vessel safe.

When your house loses power, items left in the refrigerator and freezer will stay cold and frozen for a period of time. On your vessel, the same is true. Frigibars, for example, have more insulation than a household freezer, increasing the time you can expect your food to stay at a safe temperature even when power is not readily available or you’re working to get the generator back up and running.

Don’t leave your health and the safety of your food up to chance. If your power goes out, here are important food safety tips and considerations to follow and keep in mind.

  • Be aware of required temperatures for your frozen items

To retain vitamin contents, flavor, and inactivate bacteria and microbes, food items should be frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your items at this temperature will ensure they are properly frozen and will stay frozen longer if power is not available for a period of time on your boat.

  • Put ice on it

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Freezers and refrigerators are coolers with motors. If the motor goes out due to failure or power outage, you can always opt to fill the unit with wet or dry ice until you can get power restored. If you have the option of getting ice, it is most likely your best bet to save the contents.

  • The types of items that are cold or frozen

The types of items in your freezer or refrigerator will determine how long they will stay edible for without power. A mayonnaise-based macaroni salad will not last as long as a stick of butter and a thick steak frozen properly will stay frozen longer than a pint of ice cream.

  • How full is your refrigerator or freezer?

Ever used a piece of frozen meat like an ice pack after getting a bump or bruise? A freezer packed full (and kept shut) will maintain a colder temperature longer than a half-empty unit. This doesn’t mean you should always over-stuff your freezer, but keeping one or two items in it will mean these items will defrost more quickly if you lose power.

Once the items in your freezer are completely frozen and the freezer remains unopened, items in a full freezer should keep for approximately 48 hours. Items in a half-full freezer should keep for approximately 24 hours. If you store ice in your freezer, this will also add to the longevity of maintaining the freezer’s temperature while unpowered.

  • Check your seal

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The strength of your freezer’s seal (what keeps it sealed tight, not the cute animal pictured above), which depends on the gasket being in good working order, will have a significant impact on power consumption, proper function, and keeping items frozen without power.

  • Quantity and quality of insulation material

The thickness, insulation value and quality of your freezer system’s insulating material has a direct impact on the contents and how well the freezer or refrigerator will function.

  • Keep closed for as long as possible

Your freezer and refrigerator are made to keep things cold. When opened, cold air escapes from the unit, raising the temperature of your food and drinks. If power goes out, leave your refrigerator and freezer closed for as long as possible to keep from removing the cold air that is not being replaced once it has been lost.

  • Consider the ambient temperature where the refrigerator/freezer unit is located.

The temperature directly outside of a freezer on the deck of a boat will likely be significantly warmer than the temperature surrounding a system located in the galley or interior cabin. Keep this in mind when placing your Frigibar, or any other freezer or refrigerator, in an available space on your boat. You will get more time to save your food in the event of losing power if you place in a cool covered place, like the shaded sundeck or protected cockpit.

  • What was the state of the contents when power went out?

The colder an item of food is, the longer it will stay frozen and the longer it takes to defrost. If the items in your freezer have been frozen for a week, they will stay safely frozen for far longer than items you first put in the freezer a couple of hours ago. For example, freshly caught fish will go bad quicker than a solid frozen steak if temperatures rise and refrigeration isn’t available.

  • Holding plate

A holding plate is a metal or plastic plate filled with saline or chemical solution that will act as a big ice cube when the power is off from the unit. It is necessary to size holding plate correctly to maintain the safe temperature you desire if you plan to turn your unit off for any reason.

  • When in doubt, throw it out!

Trust your gut and don’t take risks with food safety. If you have any doubt that the food in your refrigerator or freezer may not be safe to keep or eat, safely dispose of it. No meal is worth getting sick.

For more on keeping your food, yourself, and friends safe in the case of losing power, view the FDA’s Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods guide.

 

Tips for Buying a Frigibar Marine Refrigeration System or Freezer

ensign-open-mibs-2012For over forty years, Frigibar, based out of Miami, has manufactured the best in marine refrigeration to become beloved fixtures of boats and yachts traveling around the world. While we don’t have a retail storefront, we make it easy to get your hands on a Frigibar.

Frigibar freezer and refrigerator systems are available through Frigibar directly or one of our authorized retail partners and distributors, who can offer the same great price and quality you’ll get directly from us. Each freezer with the Frigibar logo will be of the highest quality, rust-free fiberglass construction, and handcrafted in Miami, Florida.

When considering purchasing a quality Frigibar marine refrigeration system, here are several tips to make the process as enjoyable and easy as possible:

  • Experience the Difference

Seeing and feeling a Frigibar in person is a great way to understand why they’re unique and trusted by captains and crews everywhere.

Frigibar exhibits at boat shows around the world, primarily in Florida, to meet with customers, captains, crews, boating enthusiasts and others and to display our units. In 2015-2016, Frigibar exhibited at the Miami International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Refit International, METSTRADE, the Stuart Boat Show, the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, MD, the New England Boat Show in Boston, MA, and the Newport International Boat Show.

We’d love to meet you and have you experience a Frigibar in person. Follow the Frigibar Blog to see what events we will be exhibiting at.

  • Visit a Frigibar Partner

Frigibar works with partners around the world. These partners allow us to showcase our products for customers at local and international boat shows, retail locations, captain’s lounges and more. Partners include SailorSams, Whiticar Boat Works, Yacht Equipment and Parts and Ultra Marine.

To see if there is a Frigibar partner in your area or an available unit to view or purchase, please contact us today.

In addition, while they may not have Frigibar units on display, your boat builder, refit yard, chandlery, project manager, or marine refrigeration service provider is also available to assist you in purchasing your unit.

  • Know Your Size and Style

Depending on the size of the space you have available on your boat and your style preferences, Frigibar manufactures 15 sizes in two different categories that all offer something unique. We have both chest and bench style freezers with varying dimensions and storage capacity.

To determine the size of the space you have available, view our Marine Refrigeration Fit Guide. View Frigibar’s full online product catalog here.

  • Custom Builds

You have an unlimited number of options when working with Frigibar. If you prefer something truly one-of-a-kind or your available space does not work with one of our best-selling freezers, we can custom build a unit just for your boat. Contact us for specifics.

  • Explore Custom Options

Custom builds aren’t the only way to both have the best marine freezer on your boat and have something no one else has. We have many custom options available to make your Frigibar your own.

Custom options include ‘Dual Control’ option (use as a freezer or refrigerator), 3-inch and 1-1/2” thick Snap-On marine cushions to allow your freezer to double as a seating option, custom gel coat colors, condensing unit orientation, and more. If you have a specific want or need that isn’t listed, please contact us.

  • Planning Your Order

While we keep some of our most popular sizes in stock, keep in mind that due to our many customization options, many units are built to order. Please allow enough time to order your Frigibar for that important trip or boat delivery. Contact Frigibar or one of our marine partners to find out current availability and time-frame for the unit you are interested in.

  • Call and Ask

We pride ourselves on truly looking out for your best interests, even if that means recommending a competitor’s solution. If you have a “go-to” person or company that handles all your vessel’s needs, we will be happy to help them assist you with your purchase. Read more about our approach to customer service here.

Please call us today for more information and to ask us any and all questions you may have: 305-757-7697.

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