Tag Archives: food safety long island

Keeping Your Food Fresh During a Power Outage

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We are what we eat, right? That is why our food’s safety is so vital, no matter the circumstances. When the summer storms arrive, it is important to have your fridge prepared in case the power fails.

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Before
If the New York City area is expecting a tropical storm, there is no time to waste. On your trip to the store you should pick up a few precautionary items: such as an appliance thermometer, plastic storage bags, and a cooler. If the storm is powerful enough to knock out the power, you should already be prepared. Before the storm hits, you should fill up a few storage bags about halfway with water and place them in the freezer.

During
When the lights go out, check your refrigerator right away to see if that has failed too. If it has, you want to make sure you keep the doors fully closed. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about 4 hours without the help of electricity. When the thermometer starts to read higher than 37-38° F, start the food migration into the coolers you prepared earlier. Start unloading food into your coolers and place the frozen bags tightly around the food. Every so often you should place your thermometer into the cooler to make sure the temperature is below 40°F.  

After
Don’t place food back into the fridge until the temperature reads at least 40°F. Food kept at temperatures above this threshold can become contaminated in as little as two hours. If you have to question whether or not a food item stayed safe during the outage, throw it out! There is no need to take unnecessary risks when it comes to your health.

If your power isn’t the problem, it could be your refrigerator. Speedy Refrigerator Service has been serving the New York City and Long Island area for over 75 years and we would love to help you out! Call (866) 782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment, or visit us on the web.

 

A Guide to Safer Leftovers

Cleaning & Organization Tips Long Island, , , , ,

The best kind of meals are the ones large enough to feed the whole family. Whatever recipe you are trying for a Sunday meal, it is best to double it for good measure. But after that meal is over and you feel like you’re going to explode, it is time to store that food so you can pick on it throughout the week. Make sure you are storing your leftovers properly, because inadequate storage can lead to food poisoning or worse!

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Here are some tips to help you out:

  • Don’t let your food sit out for more than 2 hours without being refrigerated.
  • When you have a large amount of leftovers, it is best to separate them into smaller containers. This will allow the cool air to circulate around the food and stop bacteria growth before it even starts.
  • With any kind of stuffed meats, it is best to remove the stuffing and refrigerate them separately. If you choose to leave the stuffing inside, you run the risk of it becoming too warm and possibly contaminated.
  • Refrigerated leftovers should be consumed within 4 days of the time they were cooked. Anything longer than this and it should be kept in the freezer for safety. Bacteria can’t grow in freezer temperatures, so this will allow you significantly more time to enjoy your food than refrigerator storage.
  • When you reheat leftovers, it is not enough to just make them warm. Food should be microwaved to a temperature of 165°F, or until you can see it steam.
  • The optimal temperature for refrigerator food storage is between 34-38°F. The key to safer leftovers is having a fridge that can get the job done.

If your fridge is having trouble maintaining the optimal temperature, there is a chance it is need of repair. Speedy Refrigerator Service has been serving the New York City and Long Island area for over 75 years and we would love to help you out! Call (866) 782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment, or visit us on the web.