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Why you should leave a coin in the freezer before leaving the house

News - Feb 16, 2024
Why you should leave a coin in the freezer before leaving the house

If you're planning a vacation and leaving food in the freezer, there's a simple trick you shouldn't miss.

Today, I'll share with you an ingenious hack that will help you determine if it's safe to consume the food you left behind. 

Put a coin in the freezer to check how your refrigerator stores food

Sometimes, when we're away from home, a power outage can occur without our knowledge. This can lead to the defrosting and deterioration of the food stored in the freezer. 

You can tell if the refrigerator is working well with just a coin. Image Credit: Getty
You can tell if the refrigerator is working well with just a coin. Image Credit: Getty

But one woman has come up with a clever solution to check the optimal working condition of our refrigerators using just a mug of water and a penny.

With this experiment, you'll never have to worry about spoiled vegetables or fruits in your fridge again.

A woman suggests a useful tip to preserve food with a coin

Sheila Pulanco Russell, the mastermind behind this idea, demonstrates a simple experiment with tap water. 

If the penny freezes, it's a good sign that your fridge can keep your groceries well-chilled and frozen. 

However, if it doesn't freeze, it's an indication that you might need to invest in a new refrigerator to prevent food spoilage. 

The refrigerator works well if the coin is frozen solid, and conversely, the coin will hit the bottom of the glass if your refrigerator shows signs of damage. Image Credit: Getty
The refrigerator works well if the coin is frozen solid, and conversely, the coin will hit the bottom of the glass if your refrigerator shows signs of damage. Image Credit: Getty

You can easily conduct this experiment at home and see the results for yourself.

In a Facebook post that garnered hundreds of thousands of reactions and shares, Sheila explains the procedure. 

She suggests placing a cup of water in your freezer, letting it freeze solid, and then placing a quarter on top of it. 

You can preserve food better thanks to the coin experiment. Image Credit: Getty
You can preserve food better thanks to the coin experiment. Image Credit: Getty

When you return home after being evacuated, you can check the position of the quarter. 

If it has fallen to the bottom of the cup, it means that all the food defrosted and you should discard it. However, if the quarter is either on the top or in the middle of the cup, there's a good chance that your food is still okay. 

This trick can also be used as a preventive measure by leaving the cup in the freezer at all times. If you experience a power outage for any reason, you'll have this handy tip to rely on.

If the quarter falls to the bottom, discard defrosted food. Otherwise, it can serve as a preventive measure. Image Credit: Getty
If the quarter falls to the bottom, discard defrosted food. Otherwise, it can serve as a preventive measure. Image Credit: Getty

When in doubt about food safety, it's safer to be cautious and throw it away.

With a simple coin and a cup of water, you can easily check the functionality of your refrigerator. 

This hack provides a quick and easy way to ensure that your food is properly preserved before you leave the house. So, give it a try and enjoy the benefits it brings.