As millions prepare to travel for the Christmas holidays, a simple and ingenious low-tech hack is gaining popularity for preventing a potentially dangerous kitchen disaster. The method, which involves just a cup of water and a coin, can reveal if a power cut caused your freezer to defrost while you were away, saving you from serious food poisoning.
The Hidden Danger of Unnoticed Power Cuts
Whether you're visiting family or escaping on a winter holiday, an unexpected power failure could spell trouble for the food in your fridge and freezer. The core risk lies in the fact that the electricity may be restored before you return home, leaving no obvious trace that anything went wrong. Food can thaw and then refreeze, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can flourish, making it unsafe to consume. This is particularly risky for meat, seafood, and dairy products.
How the Classic Penny Trick Works
Shared widely on platforms like Instagram by accounts such as Cookist Wow, the advice is straightforward. Before you leave, place a cup of water in your freezer and let it freeze solid. Once frozen, place a coin—like a 1p piece—on top of the ice. When you return from your travels, check the coin's position.
If the coin remains on the surface, your freezer stayed cold and your food is likely safe. However, if you find the coin at the bottom of the cup, it indicates the water thawed completely and refroze, meaning your freezer defrosted for a significant period. In this case, it is safer to dispose of the perishable contents.
An alternative method suggested by the Express's Ben Hurst involves placing a coin on top of a stack of frozen ice cubes. The same principle applies: a sunk coin signals a defrost event.
Expert Food Safety Advice and Public Reaction
This hack provides crucial insight because, as the advice notes, a full, unopened freezer can maintain a safe temperature for up to 48 hours during a power outage. Beyond that, or if the door was opened, food can quickly reach unsafe temperatures.
The trick has been welcomed by many festive travellers seeking peace of mind. Social media user Yasmin commented, "Wow never thought of that! Thanks for sharing!" However, it also sparked some humorous debate, with user Voodoo joking about modern smart alarms, to which Talluweb retorted, "There were no freezers in the 17th century."
Ultimately, this simple pre-travel check acts as a reliable failsafe. It empowers you to make an informed decision about your food's safety, preventing unpleasant and risky surprises after a relaxing holiday break.
