I posted this awhile back, it may be relevant to this thread:
Just for shits and giggles, I removed the containers I store in my chest freezer and refrigerator freezer when they start to get low in food….we went on a large shopping run and needed the space back. So instead of letting them melt, I did some half ass tests.
Enjoy….perhaps
Ice block test
Time to freeze?
Tap water at 2:10pm
Frozen solid time: 24hrs
1:45pm next day
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Time to thaw in fridge (dorm room size, at lowest setting)?
put in fridge 1:45pm 5-6
frozen, yet defrosting stage at 7 days....too thawed to refreeze (if it were food). Could refreeze at day 4, as more than ¾ was still frozen.
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Time to defrost in cooler? In my best cooler (Igoo 40qt) laundry room (no A/C) approx 80 degreees, no direct sunlight.
Occasionally air conditioned when door was open (no longer then 10 min at a time) sometimes 85, when doing laundry.
2 frozen one gallon square icecream containers (water)
2 frozen three liter pop bottles (water)
1 frozen 64oz gator aid bottle (water)
6-09-2012 2:00pm 23f
6-10-2012 2:00pm 36f
6-11-2012 7:00pm 43f
6-12-2012 9:00pm 51f
Did not open cooler for 4 days: Day 4 9:00pm lid was opened to check contents (51f before right opening):
2 frozen one gallon square icecream containers (water) = still a chunk of ice floating, about the size of a bread plate.
2 frozen three liter pop bottles= completely melted, cool to the touch
1 frozen 64oz gator aid bottle= completely melted, cool to the touch
As mentioned, we are talking about solid chunks of ice, not cubed ice or the typical 1lb hamburger...etc that would melt faster.
Moral of the story, get a generator if you don't already have one....or plan on eating,canning,drying...etc your food in three days without refrigeration or stocks of ice.