lost 1/4 of my freezer, check your doors

**pinetree** · 06-27-2011, 03:10 PM

someone ( yes we know who, but they feel bad enough and stuff happens, and it wasn't me ) didnt close the upright freezer door, it was open for at least a week. I lost everything that was in the door, and alot that was near the front of the freezer. I had just stocked it with a 1/2 beef.

Some of it was still really cold, like hambuger, so I brought it in and cooked it, will refreeze into crumble packages. Two turkeys are in the fridge, and will be cooked for 4th of july. I lost alot of veggies, and fruit, but can replace them when the garden comes in.

Alot of it was swollen and aready rotton. I cant beleive this happened. I think the key will be put into the lock and must be locked after each use, that way it will never happen again.

The good part is we didnt lose the whole freezer, but ended up paying $120.00 for dry ice, ouch. Part of the bad thing was we found it at midnight and was up until 5 am trying to clean up and save meat. There was so much frost inside that you couldnt even see where the shelves started.

Talk about a stressful sat night!

**nodmicks** · 06-27-2011, 03:44 PM

I'm sorry you lost some food. That happened to us with about 30 lbs of chicken as someone had unplugged the wrong cord. Hope your day gets better!

**nuisance26** · 06-27-2011, 03:46 PM

~I'm sorry to hear that. That really stinks!

I was just ranting this morning about DH leaving our freezer open a crack overnight. Luckily all that happened was our ice cream got runny.
We have a lock on ours that I like to use but DH isn't consistent about it. If it's locked you know it good and closed.~

**imagine** · 06-27-2011, 03:52 PM

So sorry to hear you lost your food.

This is a fear of mine the freezer door not closing and losing the food.

We have a small chest freezer. We place something on top of like a case of water to make sure the lid is closed well. The children are learning it isn't officially closed until you put the thing on top. Probably not really needed but it helps me sleep at night. LOL

**frugalfranny** · 06-27-2011, 07:33 PM

So sorry you lost so much food.........that is really bad. And in this economy it makes it even worse...........take a deep breath, get some rest, and...........decide what to do so it won't happen again.

Originally Posted by imagine

We have a small chest freezer. We place something on top of like a case of water to make sure the lid is closed well.

Too funny............I do the same thing! Not water but something heavy...........just to make sure the seal is touching. Just me...
so don't have to train anyone else......thank goodness.

**alotofgooddeals** · 06-27-2011, 10:09 PM

that stinks...hope you have a better day tomorrow...

**Debbie-cat** · 06-27-2011, 11:09 PM

That's awful!! I am glad you were able to save some of it.

**Palooka** · 06-27-2011, 11:32 PM

What a bummer! Sorry that happened.

**savvy_sniper** · 06-28-2011, 07:30 AM

SO sorry! When my parents bought a freezer a lock on the door was a priority. The key was kept in the door and unlocked and relocked every time the door was opened.

**Ceashels** · 06-28-2011, 08:50 AM

That happened to me last year and also lost everything on the door. I now make sure I defrost regularly and will be doing it this weekend.

**oheoh's momma** · 06-28-2011, 05:18 PM

Oh that is terrible I bet everyone will check that door from now on. that happened to me several years ago it was full and someone unplugged it and we were gone for about a week lost it all about $500 worth of food. I was pissed I was also a single mom at that time making to much for food stamps and not enough to live. It was never unplugged again.

**Libby** · 06-28-2011, 05:23 PM

That really stinks! Sorry to hear you've lost so much and your hard efforts wasted

Our fridge is having issues recently so each night before bed, it gets a good hip chuck to ensure its closed. The other thing I've noticed, when dad reaches in for something he bumps the temp gauge unknowingly. Do you know how hard it is to spread almost frozen margarine?

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-28-2011, 08:11 PM

Has happened to me no less than 3x w/ kids and once from overloading the door. We too keep a camping size full water container in front of it now. remember dont refreeze pork but you can cook anything still cold and refreeze it. This is assuming you know how long the door was open.