Food safety is one of the greatest concerns when a power outage hits. Refrigerators and freezers can’t keep food cool, and perishable goods such as dairy, meats, and cooked leftovers can spoil. This not only results in food waste but can also cause health hazards. How long will food last in a power outage? That depends. 

When the power is cut off, you can preserve food with backup measures. In this guide, we will discuss what influences food safety during power outages, how long food will last in a power outage, and some easy tips to keep it fresh.

What Factors Affect Food Safety without Power?

Blackout food safety is contingent on several factors:

It is recommended that refrigerators be kept at 40 o C (4 o F) or lower, and freezers at 0°F (-18°C).

Every time you open the door, you lose cold air and accelerate spoilage.

Meat, dairy, and seafood items are spoiled at a higher rate as compared to condiments or dry goods.

Applications run hot in hot weather.

How Long Does It Take for Food to Spoil When Power Goes Out?

How long will food last in a power outage? Here’s a complete list to help you get a proper idea: 

Refrigerator: Approximately 4 hours when not opened.

Freezer (Full): 48 hours or so, unopened.

Freezer (Half-Full): Approximately 24 hours.

Room Temperature: Perishables left out above 40°F for over 2 hours should be discarded.

How to Preserve Food During a Power Outage?

You can take the following several ways to preserve food during a power outage.

Minimize Fridge Openings

You are letting in the warm air every time you open the fridge or freezer. Keep the doors to these cooling devices closed as soon as you can.

Use Ice Packs and Coolers

Move perishable items into insulated coolers with ice when the power goes down for more than a few hours.

Pre-Freeze Water Bottles

Frozen bottling prolongs the cold storage. It provides safe drinking water in the future. It also helps reduce the need for additional ice packs.

Use a Portable Power Station

A portable power station is the best solution. They do not produce gases as gas generators do. These products are pleasant, silent, and safe inside the house.

What Are the Best Portable Power Stations for Food Preservation

We have listed the best portable power stations available at the most affordable prices. Have a look: 

1. VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 Portable Power Station

The 1500-watt solar generator is best for households. It can recharge between 0 and 100 percent in only one hour. This is impressive. Most of the competitors need between 2 and 3 hours to recharge. So that’s a great advantage. It has a battery capacity of 1548Wh. And an output of 1500W (up to 3000W). You can easily power refrigerators, freezers, and laptops. You can even recharge small kitchen appliances anytime. 

Its other strength is its expandable capacity. This can be expanded to 3096Wh by adding a battery (sold separately), or ideal for longer outages. It also has 12 output ports. So you can charge or power up devices simultaneously. The in-built safety system (LifeBMS) is a  10-layer protection (over-voltage and short-circuit protection).

Pros:

Fully recharges in just 1 hour.

It can be extended to 3096Wh when used over a long period of time.

It is capable of powering 12 devices at once.

UPS switching is used to prevent an outage switchover.

A long-lasting LiFePO4 battery that has a high degree of safety.

2. VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1000 Portable Power Station

The portable power station 1000W is a small but very powerful device. It provides a 1000W continuous (and 2000W surge) output. It is large enough to power most key household devices such as mini-fridges, microwaves, and lighting. It can be expanded to 2376Wh with a second battery.

Similar to the 1500 model, it offers the option of charging 12 devices simultaneously. This renders it flexible enough to be used at home as a backup and when camping. Its LifeBMS system means safe working with more than three levels of protection. 

Pros:

1000W fixed output, which is compatible with the majority of the appliances.

Software-extendable long-run capacity.

Multiple ports to which one can charge (12).

Lightweight as opposed to bigger models.

Long-life LiFePO4 battery chemistry.

3. VTOMAN Jump 1800 Portable Power Station

Jump 1800 w generator is one of the strongest VTOMAN models in the line. It can be used to power up high-demand appliances. For example, ovens, heaters, or large refrigerators with a continuous output of 1800W (surge: 3600W). It has a 1548Wh base capacity, which can be extended to 3096Wh. What makes this model special is that it has two types of PD 100W Type-C ports that enable you to charge laptops and tablets very fast.

 It has 4 USB-A ports and 3 AC outlets, as well as several DC outlets. It is capable of supporting up to 12 devices simultaneously. It also has controlled 12 V ports, which make it perfect to power sensitive equipment such as car fridges or CPAP machines. The system is more secure with the use of the SuperSafe LifeBMS system. The LiFePO4 battery gives the system over 3000 dependable cycles.

Pros:

1800W power output serves big appliances.

Expandable to 3096Wh capacity.

 Two 100W Type-C fast-charge ports.

Capable of charging 12 devices simultaneously.

12V controlled output to sensitive equipment.

4. VTOMAN Jump 1500X Portable Power Station

The 1500-watt power station is a balanced product in terms of power and portability. It has a constant output power of 1500W (surge: 3000W) and a capacity of 828Wh. The capacity can be expanded to 2376Wh. It may not be as big as the Jump 1800. The power station is still big enough to power refrigerators, freezers, lights, and smaller cooking appliances during power outages.

Flexibility is one of its major strengths. It has 2 Type-C -100W laptop and fast-charging power outlets, and 4 USB-A connections with 3.0 QC technology. It has a total of 12 output ports where you can power many devices at a time. The controlled 12V is particularly helpful with medical equipment and automobile appliances. It recharges quickly, in approximately 4.5 hours using a wall charger, or 4 to 7 hours using VTOMAN solar panels, so it is an excellent, environmentally friendly choice.

Pros:

A 1500W capacity is used to power important appliances.

Extension of the storage capacity.

Dual 100W Type-C and QC 3.0 USB ports.

Electricity Solar-ready off-grid.

Stable safety with the LifeBMS system.

Comparison Table of the Power Stations

Summary

How do you get a clear idea about how to preserve food during a power outage? Preparation is the most important thing when it comes to food safety during a power outage. Refrigerator door closures, ice packs, and pre-freezing bottles of water will also buy you time, but nothing can compare to the peace of mind of a battery generator. In that case, you can try VTOMAN’s best power station to save your food. All these products come with modern features. You can choose according to your needs.