Storing a coin in your freezer is recommended by experts for individuals planning summer vacations
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In the world of home news, keeping your appliances running smoothly is essential, especially when you're away on vacation. That's where the penny in the freezer hack comes in handy. This low-tech, cost-effective solution can help you determine if your freezer has maintained a safe temperature during your absence.
Kezia Reynolds, our News Writer at the platform team, has been shedding light on the latest home news, including this useful hack. Reynolds, who joined the team in September 2024, graduated from City, University of London in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
The penny in the freezer hack is a straightforward method that involves placing a penny on top of a small cup of frozen water before you leave for your holiday. When you return, if the penny is still on top of the ice, your freezer stayed cold enough to keep the ice frozen and your food safe. If the penny has sunk to the bottom of the cup, it indicates the ice melted due to the freezer warming up, meaning the freezer stopped working properly and your food likely thawed and refroze, which can spoil it.
Here's how it works in detail:
- Fill a small cup (or bowl) with water and freeze it solid in the freezer.
- Once solid, place a penny on top of the ice surface.
- The penny sits on the ice because the water is frozen when you leave.
- If during your absence the freezer warms up enough to melt the ice, the penny will sink as the ice melts.
- If power is restored and the water refreezes, the penny will be embedded below the surface of the ice.
- This visual cue lets you know if your freezer maintained a safe temperature over time.
This hack is not a precise temperature monitor but is effective at indicating whether freezing was maintained well enough to protect your food. To get the most accurate reading, it's recommended to avoid placing the bowl near vents or the back wall, as airflow might affect melting or refreezing unevenly.
For those who prefer a more high-tech solution, there are thermometers designed for fridges or freezers that can monitor temperature levels via a phone. These devices offer a more precise reading, but they come with a higher price tag.
Remember, it's always a good idea to keep your freezer as full as possible and group items together to help maintain cold temperatures longer. Refilling a freezer after it has defrosted accidentally can cost hundreds of pounds.
In conclusion, the penny in the freezer hack is a simple, cost-effective way to monitor your freezer's health. Mark Coleman, AO's refrigeration expert, advises placing the bowl in the center or near the front of the freezer, somewhere visible and easy to check. Including this hack in your pre-holiday home routine can provide peace of mind and help prevent food waste.
In the spirit of home news, Kezia Reynolds, our News Writer, shares insights on lifestyle hacks like the penny in the freezer trick that can help maintain a safe temperature in the freezer while on vacation. For those who prefer a more advanced monitoring system, high-tech thermometers designed for fridges or freezers can offer precise temperature readings via a phone, although they come with a higher price tag.
