During a power outage, which storage option maintains safe cold temperatures the longest if doors stay closed?

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Multiple Choice

During a power outage, which storage option maintains safe cold temperatures the longest if doors stay closed?

Thermal mass and keeping the door closed determine how long cold temperatures persist during a power outage. A full freezer has the most frozen contents, which act as a heat sink and slow warming. With the door kept shut, heat leaks in slowly, so the interior stays at safe temperatures for about two days. A half-full chest freezer has less thermal mass, so it warms up faster, around one day. A cooler or fridge relies on whatever cold is left and any ice packs, so it stays safe for roughly four hours. A pantry shelf isn’t insulated and warms quickly, about twelve hours. Therefore, the full freezer maintains safe cold temperatures the longest.

Thermal mass and keeping the door closed determine how long cold temperatures persist during a power outage. A full freezer has the most frozen contents, which act as a heat sink and slow warming. With the door kept shut, heat leaks in slowly, so the interior stays at safe temperatures for about two days. A half-full chest freezer has less thermal mass, so it warms up faster, around one day. A cooler or fridge relies on whatever cold is left and any ice packs, so it stays safe for roughly four hours. A pantry shelf isn’t insulated and warms quickly, about twelve hours. Therefore, the full freezer maintains safe cold temperatures the longest.

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