What you need to know:

How Long Will a Chest Freezer Last Without Power?

The power going out is never convenient. For businesses or homes with chest freezers, there’s also the added stress of managing food safety and minimising food wastage.

While modern freezers are well insulated and can often keep food frozen or cold for several days without power, this can vary depending on a few factors. This guide breaks down how long a chest freezer will last without power and explains how to keep your stored food in a safe condition for longer.

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How Long Can a Chest Freezer Stay Cold Without Power?

The good news is that if your power goes out, your chest freezer can stay cold for up to 24 to 48 hours if it’s kept closed and fully stocked. This can vary depending on the level of insulation and the door seals on your particular model, as well as how often it’s opened and closed. Many people are surprised to learn that a fully stocked freezer, rather than a half-full chest, maintains its coldness longer. This is because the frozen items preserve the thermal mass.

Key Factors That Affect Cold Retention

As mentioned, there are a few different things that can impact how long a chest freezer will stay cold without power, including:

  • The size and build quality.
  • Ambient room temperature.
  • How full the freezer is.
  • How often the door is opened.
  • The length of the outage.

Making sure your chest freezer has superior insulation and a high energy-efficiency rating will help keep everything colder for longer if the power does go out. Even a large capacity freezer, like a 662 litre top storage chest, can stay cold for up to 48 hours if it’s top quality and in the right conditions.

How to Keep Food Cold Longer During an Outage

If the power does go out, and you expect it may be out for more than an hour or two, there are some ways you can keep everything frozen for longer. Where possible:

  • Keep the lid closed as much as possible (ideally not opening it at all).
  • Cover the freezer with blankets or insulation.
  • Use ice packs or dry ice, if safe and available.
  • Group frozen items together to maintain thermal mass.

It’s important to let everyone in the workplace or household know not to open the freezer door and to keep it covered if you’ve been able to do so. No ice blocks until the power is back on, kids!

How to Tell If Food Is Still Safe After a Power Cut

Even if you’ve followed every step for how to keep a freezer cold in a power outage, you should err on the side of caution before consuming or serving any food. For frozen items, use a thermometer to check if the temperature is still below -18°C. If the food still contains ice crystals or feels cold to the touch, it can often be frozen. However, make sure you dispose of anything that has been above 5°C for more than 2 hours. Once the power is back on, check absolutely everything in the chest to make sure it’s still safe for consumption.

Preparing Your Freezer for Future Power Outages

Getting ready for storm reasons should also include preparing your chest freezer to make sure you don’t risk food loss or getting anyone sick. Some steps to take include:

  • Keeping your freezer full to help retain coldness longer.
  • Label and date items for quick checks, putting new items at the bottom or back to move older items forward.
  • Invest in a deep freezer with temperature displays or alarms.
  • How often the door is opened.
  • Consider a surge protector or backup power for critical storage.

Energy-efficient deep freezers, like our 445-litre sliding glass door chest freezer, tend to have thicker insulation performance, which helps retain cold better during blackouts. If your business or home is in an area that frequently experiences blackouts, speaking to an appliance and equipment specialist can help you get the right model for more reliable cold retention.

Explore Commercial Chest Freezers at AGC Equipment

At AGC Equipment, our chest freezers provide ample storage space for bulk freezing, while keeping food frozen for longer periods, even during blackouts. Their heavy-duty designs are perfect for stocking everything you need for your home, restaurant, café or business, while providing reliable performance. Explore our current range of chest freezers for no-frills reliability and energy-efficient performance.

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