The GFI tripped on the outlet in the garage which runs our very old spare fridge (the one I keep all the frozen Q in). I usually keep it pretty cold - fridge runs just above 32, freezer close to 0. When I discovered it this AM, fridge was about 50 degrees and freezer 42. No idea how long it was off. (Ice cream was not completely melted - liquidy around the edges of the container and soft but not liquid in the center) I'm not worried about the frozen meat, it was still frozen rock hard, just crammed it in the kitchen freezer. I'm not too sure about the frozen breaded shrimp and calamari that were in there - still a very few ice crystals, but they didn't really feel frozen - do I keep or should I toss them? Also had a Marie Calender's Coconut Cream Pie there. When I opened it, the cream topping was thawed, but the center of the pie was still partially frozen. Keep or toss? Now the expensive stuff...had a cryopac of baby backs and a fully cooked ham I bought yesterday in the fridge side. I have no idea how long they were above 40 degrees. Ribs felt colder to the touch than the ham when I moved them to the kitchen. What do you think? Should I go ahead and smoke the ribs? Will I be able to tell by taste if the ham is bad?
This is the first time I have had a fridge go out long enough effect the inside temps. I refroze the ice cream, will probably be an awful texture. Don't know if it can go bad. Sorry for the long post - this really freaked me out this morning having to deal with not losing the food and figuring out why upstairs bath, downstairs hall and bath and garage fridge had no electricity. Thanks for any input on this.
By the way, for any coconut cream pie fans, Marie C's are really great for a "store-bought" pie.
Mudgie
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