Power Cut

Bigphil1474

Why didn't you cook the meat and fish and eat it for your tea - or is that a daft question. Suppose it is, if you didn't have any gas. Normally, temperature critical food can be kept for hours unrefrigerated before it can become unsafe (small numbers of bacteria double in number every few hours, so a safe level of bacteria can become an unsafe level fairly quickly - depending on the bacteria). However, meat such as steak can be cooked so that even if there is harmful bacteria (which are on the outside of the meat) they are killed off by the cooking process - hence the reason why rare steak is safe, as it doesn't matter what's happening in the middle of the steak. Bacteria on chickens are killed off so long as the middle of the chicken reaches a high enough temperature for long enough - that's because of the cavity in the chicken which will harbour bacteria. Fish is more likely to be spoiled or star to smell before there is an issue. Either way, a few hours of the fridge turned off isn't going to dramatically increase the temperature inside, unless you keep opening and shutting the door - they are designed to retain the cool air.
We had our power turned off for 24 hours last year by the Gas Network people, as we had a gas leak, and neither the contents of the fridge or freezer were affected by the power cut.

ic

LuckyPenny wrote: »

I read on a food safety website that if the temperature falls below 40 F for more than 2 hours then meat is unsafe to eat. I had no idea about the temperature in my fridge and didn't want to take any risks.

If that were the case, then you wouldn't be able to get it home - whilst you're pushing the food around in your trolley and then driving it home, you can be very certain the temperature will have gone up.

Robin9

I think the OP meant to say "above" 40 rather than "below"

Your action OP was rather hasty - a loss of power for less than 4 hours is nothing to worry about. Ice cream in the freezer section might be a little soft.

The advice for a freezer is that you cover it with a blanket if you loose your electric during a storm and resist the temptation to open the lid or door.

PS Do buy a fridge thermometer. Then do a dummy run and see what the temperature has risen to in 4 hours - my guess is that it has barely changed.

LuckyPenny

Thanks Robin. I will.

footyguy

If you do such a test, don't forget to turn the power off and on througout the period as you described was happening in the OP, so that you get a really good result

JC_Derby

Robin9 wrote: »

Compensation is only payable for over 24hours.

Not true. See your specific DNOs guaranteed standards and those of of gem. I believe if you are off supply CONTINUOUSLY for 12 hours you should receive a payment

JC_Derby

LuckyPenny wrote: »

I read on a food safety website that if the temperature falls below 40 F for more than 2 hours then meat is unsafe to eat. I had no idea about the temperature in my fridge and didn't want to take any risks.


I have read somewhere that if your power goes off 3 or 4 times within 12 months then you can claim compensation. I don't know how they measure this but it went on and off several times yesterday. Not sure whether this counts?

In answer to your original question you would not be entitled to compensation, however your DNO may pay you an ex gratia payment if you ask them, then again they may not. Regarding the multiple interruptions. I think the wording is if you have multiple interruptions of 3 hours or more four times in one year you would be due a payment.
A question for your lucky penny, did you inform your DNO that you were off supply?

teddysmum

I , too, was thinking that a shopping trip could take two or three hours,including travel home.


Also,a fridge is not running constantly , but trips in and out when the temperature is correct. I have an eco fridge/freezer and sometimes the motor doesn't kick in for hours.