Freezer Went Out - Question.

[Leaky]

I discovered my freezer had been out for 3 days. The door was never opened and everything was thawed, yet slightly cool to the touch. Included was:

Racks of Ribs

Cut up leftover Ham

Crown Pork Roast

6 lbs hamburger

Beef Tenderloin Roast

Potato Sausage

Sirloin Steak

Everything was shrink wrapped and I sure hate to throw it all out. Is this stuff going to be OK?

[OnAFly]

how cool is slightly cool? If everything sat for 24 hours at 60F, I've be hesitant to eat it, especially the ground stuff.

[McGurk]

I'm assuming that it stayed shut the whole time, as in you didn't open it a single time in the 3 day period. When you first opened the freezer was it cool inside, as in cooler than the ambient temp? I agree witht he 24hr/60 deg rule of thumb, but I'd think if it was a cool freezer you'd be fine with the roasts, ribs, and steak. The sausage and ham is a maybe, but ditch the hamburger unless it's still pretty cool and solid.

[McGurk]

Oh yeah, what time's the BBQ? I'll bring some 'slaw!

[OnAFly]

I was thinking the same thing!

[pureinsanity]

How big of freezer was it? Is it a chest freezer? If so post it up in the catfish or MN river forum. I bet you can get rid of that broken freezer in no time good ol bait tank!

[Leaky]

Thanks for the replys guys. The freezer is an upright that actually came unplugged somehow. Must have ghosts in the house, as we were up north and when I came back it was off. The freezer was really at about room temp and the meat was just slightly cooler than that.

We could have a heck of a barbacue! I guess it would be come at your own risk of running to the bathroom all the next day.

[CC Hurl]

Bummer, That is one I worry about for sure. Had that happen to me about five years ago and yes we got a little closer to our neighbors that year. Gave it all away and ate what we could. My wife threw some clothes on the power strip and turned the button off. Now she knows to get laundry going, check power strip,open freezer and make sure meat is hard. Lol Good luck and if nothing else give some to your freinds and they will remember you when there freezer goes out. I got a kick back from the neighbor last summer when his kid unplugged his. Poor kid felt so bad. I think it happens to most of us at one point or another.

[reinhard1]

i have been asked that questions many times over the years in 35 years as a butcher. the first thing i tell the people is without me being there i dont want to tell you realy what to do. chicken and pork are the first to go and ground stuff. last is the beef as far as fresh meat goes. the way you described it to me i would have tossed it all rather than take a risk for you and your family. good luck.

[Leaky]

Yup, it's going out the door. The crown pork roast was a Christmas present from my Dad that I've been meaning to fix up for...........4 months now. I had even taken the silver skin off the beef tenderloin roast prior to shrink wrapping. At least we had already eaten the steaks I had cut out of it. What a bummer. I better get over to Rainbow and restock up on those Baby Backs!

BTW - I was people watching over at Walmart yesterday and they had one of those family sized assorted pork chop packs for $1.98 a pound. I love how they always put the nice looking chops on the outside and fill the middle with big pork steaks. For me, thats OK, I like pork steaks, but it sure is decieving.

[RebelSS]

Leech bait!!!!

[reinhard1]

well if they put pork steaks on the bottom it would be decieving for they are not a chop. i'm with you though, i love pork steaks more than chops so it would be a bonus for me. assorted chops are usualy some first cuts from the pork loin roast [sometimes the whole pork loin roast cut into chops when they run short] but mostly when the center chops stop and you get into the rib end. all in all at 1.98 it's a good buy. sorry about the loss of meat but as painfull as it is your family always comes first. good luck.

[Leaky]

RH - Your experience and insight brings so much to this forum. I really appreciate it. And you are right, it's not worth my wife or daughter potentially getting sick over a cut of meat.

My brother-in-law is coming up to my place this weekend for opener. I was thinking about maybe testing some of that hamburger..............Nah, I can't do that.

[reinhard1]

yea dont do that, you guys may not be out on the lake long . thanks. good luck.

[SkunkedAgain]

My reaction would have been to cook something and eat it myself. If that worked, expand and try a few more things. Eventually you'll be 300lbs and content!