If you enjoy traveling and storing food in the freezer, it’s important to ensure that you don’t compromise your health by eating expired or spoiled food. Imagine coming back from a trip only to find that your frozen food has defrosted and spoiled because of a power outage.

But worry not! There’s a simple and ingenious method that can help you ensure that your refrigerator is operating at peak efficiency with just a mug of water and a penny. By following this easy trick, you can say goodbye to the worry of eating expired or ruined vegetables from the freezer.

Here’s how it works: if the power goes out, the water in the mug will freeze along with the food in the freezer. When the electricity is restored, the penny will shift to a new location on top of the ice. This is a clear indication that the food in the freezer is still fresh and safe to consume.

This handy trick can be a lifesaver for those who often leave food in the freezer while traveling or when away from home. With this knowledge, you can be confident that you’ll always have access to fresh and healthful meals when you return home from your travels.

An Experiment That Works

Sheila Pulanco Russell, a woman who is passionate about food safety, has come up with a brilliant experiment to determine whether your refrigerator is working correctly. She suggests a straightforward test using a penny and plain tap water.

If the penny freezes, it indicates that your freezer is in good working order and can store food at the right temperature for an extended period. This technique can be especially helpful for people who live near the ocean and often struggle to keep their food fresh during power outages.

When Sheila shared this idea on Facebook, it received an overwhelming response from individuals who found it incredibly helpful. The post garnered tens of thousands of reactions and shares, with many people praising the simplicity and ease of execution of this experiment.

You can try this experiment yourself by using a cup of water and a quarter placed on top after it has frozen completely in the refrigerator. Sheila’s “one-cup tip” can also come in handy when you’re going on extended holidays or will be away from home for a few days. Keeping a cup of frozen water with a quarter on top enables you to quickly assess whether the food in the freezer has remained frozen or has thawed and refrozen, indicating possible deterioration.

Saving Money and Wasting Less

By employing this simple technique, you can save money by avoiding costly purchases of new refrigerators or wasting food that has deteriorated due to faulty cooling systems. Sheila Pulanco Russell’s tip is simple yet efficient, providing a much-needed solution for those who are frequently inconvenienced by rotting food caused by malfunctioning refrigerators or power outages.

By conducting this experiment and following Sheila’s directions, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and healthy without having to spend extra money on new appliances or wasted food.

Ensuring Food Safety

Determining the safety of defrosted food is essential. Sheila’s simple trick using a quarter and a cup can help with this. Here’s how it works: if the quarter has sunk to the bottom of the cup, it means that the food has defrosted entirely and should be discarded. However, if the quarter is towards the top or middle of the cup, the food may still be safe to eat.

To be prepared for a power loss, consider keeping a quarter in your freezer. It can serve as a backup plan to determine the edibility of the food in your fridge or freezer.

If there is any doubt about the safety of the food, it is always best to err on the side of caution and discard it. When it comes to food safety, your health should be the top priority. Remember this tip to take the necessary precautions to protect your health and well-being. Share this valuable information with your friends and family to keep everyone updated on food safety concerns.