Resources / Care for your venison
Protecting venison during a power outage
Keep the freezer closed and use temperature and ice-crystal checks. Do not taste meat to decide whether it stayed safe during an outage.
Reviewed October 6, 2026
Call (615) 604-3887Prepare before an interruption
USDA recommends an appliance thermometer in your freezer and a normal storage temperature of 0°F or below. Keep frozen packages organized so you can assess them without prolonged door opening.
During a power outage, keep the freezer door closed. USDA estimates that a full freezer may hold its temperature for about two days and a half-full one for about a day if unopened. These are estimates, not guarantees for every appliance or room temperature.
Check condition and temperature
USDA says food that still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below can be refrozen or used. Quality may decline after thawing and refreezing.
Discard food that has been warmer than 40°F for more than two hours and food contaminated by raw meat juices. If the duration or temperature is unknown, do not assume safety from smell, appearance, or a taste test.
Do not move meat outside as a shortcut
USDA advises that outdoor temperatures fluctuate and sunlight can warm frozen food even in cold weather. Outdoor storage also exposes food to animals and unsanitary conditions.
Use suitable ice and insulated storage, or another working freezer, while monitoring temperature. A cold forecast is not a substitute for measured food-storage conditions.
Checklist
- Keep the freezer closed.
- Check temperature and remaining ice crystals.
- Discard meat with an unsafe temperature history.
- Do not use outdoor weather or taste as a safety test.