If you’re planning a vacation or heading out of town for a few days, there’s a surprisingly simple trick that could save you from eating spoiled food when you return. It involves just a mug of water and a single coin, but it could make all the difference when it comes to keeping your frozen food safe. You might not think twice about the items in your freezer when locking up your house, but power outages can happen at any time—especially during storms or utility maintenance—and if you’re not home to notice, you could be left with food that thawed and then refroze without your knowledge. This can be dangerous because once frozen food has defrosted, it may no longer be safe to eat, even if it refreezes and looks okay.
One woman, Sheila Pulanco Russell, came up with a smart way to tell whether your freezer maintained its temperature while you were gone, and her tip has gone viral for good reason. All you need is a cup of tap water and a quarter. First, pour the water into a mug or small container and place it in the freezer. Wait until it freezes completely, then place the coin on top of the ice and leave the cup in your freezer while you’re away.
When you return home, take a look at where the coin is. If the quarter is still sitting on top of the ice, that means your freezer remained frozen solid the whole time, and your food should still be safe. If the coin has sunk to the bottom of the cup, that’s a red flag—it means the ice melted entirely at some point, which likely means your food thawed as well. Even if the quarter is sitting in the middle of the ice, it could indicate a partial thaw and refreeze, which may be enough to compromise the safety of your food. In either case, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The idea is now widely known as the “one cup tip,” and it’s become a favorite among people preparing to evacuate during natural disasters or anyone leaving for an extended period. It’s not just for emergencies either—you can leave this frozen coin cup in your freezer year-round so it’s always there in case of an unexpected power outage. It’s a simple and low-effort way to get peace of mind about the contents of your freezer.
Sheila’s original Facebook post explaining the tip gained hundreds of thousands of shares and reactions because it offers such a practical, no-cost solution to a problem that many people never think about. In the post, she emphasized that even if your freezer seems fine when you return, that doesn’t necessarily mean your food wasn’t compromised. Without a visible sign like the coin’s position, you might assume everything’s okay and end up consuming food that could make you sick. If you come home and find the coin at the bottom of the cup, don’t hesitate—throw the food out.
It’s not worth the risk. Food poisoning can be serious, and frozen food that has thawed and then refrozen may not look or smell different, but it could still be dangerous to eat. Sheila also pointed out that even if the coin is halfway down, you should use your best judgment, but erring on the side of caution is always a smart move. Your health should always be the top priority. Whether you’re preparing for a hurricane evacuation, taking a weekend trip, or just want to be proactive in case the power goes out while you’re at work, this trick is worth trying. It’s easy, it costs nothing, and it could help you avoid wasting money on spoiled groceries—or worse, risking your health. So before you head out, freeze that cup of water and place a coin on top. You’ll thank yourself later for taking one small step toward safer food and greater peace of mind.
