Food without power: step-by-step guide

⏱ 1 min read

Fridge, stove, food safety. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

First

Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge stays cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 2 days.
Eat what spoils fastest first: meat, dairy and leftovers. Save tins and dry food for later.

Cooking

Camping gas stove or cartridge burner: outdoors or on an open balcony only, away from walls and curtains.
No cooking needed: tins, crispbread, peanut butter, cereal with UHT milk, dried fruit, nuts, bars.
A flask is your friend: water boiled once stays hot for hours for tea, porridge and instant soups.

Food safety

Throw away meat, fish, dairy and cooked food kept above 4°C for more than 2 hours.
Throw away bulging, rusty or leaking tins.
Clean your hands before eating, even with gel or wipes.

Watch out

Never use a barbecue, charcoal or camping stove in a closed room. Carbon monoxide has no smell and kills.
When in doubt, throw it out. Food poisoning during a crisis is far more dangerous than usual.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

Other guides

All scenarios →

Sources

Scientific literature and guidelines

WHO: Five keys to safer food manual

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-08.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.