Everything You Need To Know About Cooking During A Storm

During a blizzard or snowstorm, it's crucial to stock your home with the essentials. Before the frozen rain begins to pile, be sure to have batteries, candles, bottled water and canned, non-perishable and packaged foods on hand. (Keep the can opener in sight!) In the event of a power outage (or frozen pipes) there are a number of precautions you can take that'll make a world of a difference in a worst-case scenario. Check out the tips below.

• Gas stove top burners (these) can be lit and used with a match during an outage.
• For gas ovens, the pilot light may be relit and the oven may be used depending on the model. If the oven's pilot light sensor mechanically activates the gas valve, the pilot light may be lit. If the oven's pilot light sensor electrically activates the gas valve, it will not work.
• Electric ovens will not work during an outage. Keep it off during the outage.
• Note: Do not use gas ovens or ranges to keep your home warm for prolonged periods of time.

Some handy food safety guidelines are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection.

(Click to enlarge.)

(Click to enlarge.)

• Use an appliance thermometer in the fridge and freezer to help determine if food is safe for consumption in the event of a power outage.
• The temperature for the fridge should be at 40 degrees or lower and the freezer at 0 degrees or lower.
• Grouping together your food in the freezer will help the food stay colder longer.
• Consider freezing leftover items that you won't need immediately, such as deli meats and milk. This will help keep these items at a safer temperature longer.
• Have ice in the freezer in case the power goes out. A cooler with ice will allow you to prolong the life of your food. If you don't have a cooler, you can also use the ice to keep the refrigerator cool.
• Fill containers with water and store in the freezer. This can this help keep the freezer cooler longer and can also serve as a back-up water supply.
• For pantry items, store all food on higher shelves in case of flooding.
• As the storm approaches, turn down the temperature of the fridge and freezer to the max to make it as cold as possible. Don't forget to turn it back once the threat passes.
• If the power goes out, open the fridge and freezer as little as possible. Opening the doors allows the cool air to escape. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed. A full freezer will keep cool for 48 hours and a half full freezer will keep cool for 24 hours.

• Check the temperature of both the fridge and freezer.
• If you don't have a way to read the temperature in the freezer, check each package. If the food contains water crystals, then it may still be safe.
• Discard all perishable foods that have been kept in a fridge or freezer above 40 degrees for more than two hours, bacteria can multiply rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees.
• Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there's a chance it came in contact with flood waters. Also discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers if they may have been in contact with flood waters.
• Wash all metal pans, ceramic plates and utensils that may have come into contact with flood waters with hot soapy water. Sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
• Use only bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If you don't have bottle water, you can boil tap water for safe use.
• Never, ever, taste food to determine its safety.

For more information visit the FDA website for food safety in the event of an emergency.

You can watch this video from USDA Food Safety for additional helpful information.