Food without power: a practical guide

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

First

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

Cooking

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

Food safety

1. Throw away meat, fish, dairy and cooked food kept above 4°C for more than 2 hours.
2. Throw away bulging, rusty or leaking tins.
3. 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 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.

Other guides

• 💧 How to make water safe
• ⛺ Shelter at home and outdoors
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Protecting your family and yourself
• 💊 Run out of medicine

All scenarios →

Sources

• BBK guide "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Germany)
• Polish government safety guide (MON, MSWiA, RCB, 2025)

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.

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