Can’t We Just Freeze Our Food Out Here?
Short Answer: While it might be colder outside than it is inside your own freezer, it’s still not a good idea to store your food outside in the winter air during freezing winter days due to things like sunlight and surprise visits from your neighborhood pests.
Image 1: Delicious food sitting outside on a freezing day
It’s colder outside than it is in your freezer. Worse, you might be dealing with a power outage due to the cold weather and it might take a while before your power comes back on. Naturally you might think it would be safe to leave your food outside for the time being, right?
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to Penn State, Michigan State University and FoodSafety.gov, this is a bad idea. Temperatures might fluctuate during the day and could rise above 40°F, or slightly above 4.4°C, which may cause food to spoil. Heat radiating from the sun may also cause food to warm up and spoil. If not caught, this could potentially cause food poisoning for you and your family.
Image 2: A person carrying food on a cold winter day
Furthermore, pests and other animals might also stop by your home to inspect the food for themselves. This could lead to other potential dangers such as rabies. Rabies shots for those who might get bit from these outdoor creatures might be very uncomfortable and could result in expensive medical bills for you and your family.
If you do store your food outside in the winter, make sure the food is stored in a safe container such as a cooler or maybe even an underground pit like the ones discussed in the “An Industrial and Cultural Revolution” section in Unifunful’s Pushing Out Heat to Keep Refrigerators Cold. This way, your food stays fresh and safe while preventing unwanted creatures from potentially harming you and your family.
Image 3: Two people enjoying properly stored food on a cold winter day
So, while it may be colder outside, it still doesn’t mean food is as safe outside in the frozen tundra as it is inside your freezer. Freezers are intentionally made to help keep food fresh and safe to eat. Even more so, foods stored in freezers are still safe even for up to four (4) hours after a power outage.
Bottom Line: Keeping your foods stored in your freezer or in a safe place like a cooler or a safe underground pit is the best way to keep your food safe and fresh during the winter.
Image 4: A family enjoying an outdoor picnic on a cold winter day
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