So Your Fridge Called It Quits. Here's What to Do First

By Mark Soto

January 12, 2026

When your fridge breaks, you’ll have only a short timeframe to act before the food starts to spoil. Not all food goes bad at the same time, and you may be able to save some and keep it in good condition. You’ll also need to decide whether to replace it or repair it.

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Whether the fridge is completely broken or you’re experiencing a power blackout, here’s what you should do.

How Long Will Food Keep in a Broken Refrigerator?

On average, your food will remain safe inside a non-working fridge for up to four hours. You can ensure your food stays safe to eat and maximize the duration by keeping the fridge door closed as much as possible. Any perishable food that has been left in a broken fridge for more than four hours should be thrown out. You also need to keep in mind the temperature, as certain foods should be thrown out if they’ve been at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above for more than two hours. This includes meat, eggs, fish, pizza, soft cheese, milk, cut fruits, pasta, pastries, cut vegetables and baby formula. Foods that you can keep even if they’ve been at those temperatures for that timeframe include hard cheese, butter, uncut fruits, peanut butter, bread, uncut vegetables, pancakes and bagels.

How Long Will Food Keep in a Broken Refrigerator’s Freezer?

Food in your refrigerator’s freezer can last up to two days, as long as you’re not constantly opening the fridge door. It also depends on how full it is, since the more items in there, the more likely it is to stay cold. It’s a good idea to move some of the meat in your fridge to the freezer to ensure it can stay safe to eat longer. You should still follow the same temperature rule regarding food that has been in temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above for more than two hours to figure out what food you should keep or throw out from the freezer.

How Do I Get Rid of a Broken Fridge?

Since fridges are often heavy and difficult to get rid of, you may need to contact professionals for help. If you have the manpower and a vehicle to dispose of it yourself, you can often take broken fridges to a scrap yard.

Since most people might have the manpower but not the vehicle, or vice versa, there are a few other options as well. You can call your local junk removal company to handle the heavy lifting and transportation. However, it will cost you, and it can range anywhere from $100 to $300.

If you’re looking to buy a fridge immediately, it might be worth asking the appliance store if they can also pick up your old fridge. Many stores will offer this service when they deliver your new appliance, and it’s a convenient and cheaper way to get rid of it than calling a junk removal company.

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Can a Broken Fridge Leak Water?

Leaking water is one of the more common refrigerator problems, and it’s not the only one. When the fridge has been broken for a while, and the ice in the freezer starts to melt, that water will escape to the outside of the refrigerator. Your fridge also starts to accumulate more condensation over time, and you’ll eventually notice that water is leaving the fridge.

One thing you’ll want to watch out for if you see a water leak is for mold. Humid conditions and high moisture levels create the perfect environment for mold to grow, and if that happens, you’ll need to throw out all the food in your fridge for safety. It will also require extensive cleaning with bleach and vinegar if you decide to have someone repair the fridge rather than replace it. Even if you manage to remove the mold fully, it can often leave stains that aren’t too pleasant. If the food spoils, you might also be left with foul smells.

Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Fridge?

If your fridge is broken, you’ll want to consider whether to repair or replace it. Instead of troubleshooting the broken fridge yourself, consider calling an appliance repair professional. They’ll be able to fix it more quickly, which can save the food from spoiling and also help you avoid water leaks. If the issue is a refrigerant leak, you won’t be able to legally fix it yourself, as refrigerant is hazardous to handle without proper training.

Most refrigerators are built to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, so if your appliance is reaching the end of its cycle, it’s probably better to invest in a new one than to repair it. If you repair an old fridge, it won’t be long before another issue pops up, so you’ll just be throwing money away. A refrigerator repair can cost you anywhere from $300 to $600, depending on the issue, while a new fridge can run you $500 to $2,000.

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