Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 1:41:24 GMT
I have a large upright freezer stocked FULL of meats, veggies, ice cream, frozen foods.
Last evening, not so DH went down to get out 2 frozen pizzas for dinner.
Just about half hour ago, DD went down to get us some ice cream. She brought it up... the container had "icicles" and thick frost on it.
Hmmm.. I went to investigate.
Dh did not make sure the door was closed all the way and now everything (probably about 600) dollars worth of food is defrosted and not cool. I lost it on him. He started screaming back at me. No apology, just him being angry and yelling. I started pulling out everything to list what it cost. He kept grabbing stuff from me, "this is still cold, we can use it" I am not taking chances on meat and stuff that has been defrosted for 24 hours.
I started carefully shopping to fill that freezer when I read the ideas here about stocking up. I bought probably about 75% of it when it was on sales. Purchased a little here and there so it wouldn't kill our budget all at once.
Now what do I do? We don't have the money to replace everything. I'm not working (in education and schools are closed). Meat has gone up in price. For example, the ground beef I bought when it was on sale for 2.99 lb. The price is now 7.99 lb. I had about 15 lbs of it.
He didn't even apologize. When I pointed out that if one of the kids had done this, he would have gone ape shit crazy on them, he screamed an apology at me. He's not ever mean or a screamer, I'm sure he's frustrated, but damn it... this is NOT my fault. He's cost us so much $ over the years doing stupid stuff. Now this.
I left him in the basement to clear out the freezer, make a list of everything in it so I can put prices to it and figure out our loss. Then, to do something about all the food that's going to get gross before rubbish day next friday and get the freezer to defrost without soaking the basement where it's located.
He said "well, DS did this once a few years ago." Yes, he did, but 1 DS was only 6 and 2. we only had about $100 worth in there at that time.
DH is down there taking pictures too of the freezer shelves that are thick with ice build up now, and categorizing all the food and taking photos. He says that insurance will cover it. I don't think so since it was a stupid mistake, not a power outage. Besides, if they do cover it and we have to claim it, I think it'll raise our rates.
Thanks for "listening." I'm just so angry right now about the loss and his attitude!!!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 1:44:56 GMT
Yeah, I will validate you that it sucks. And that is a lot of money.
BUT and it is a big but, that doesn't give you a right to loose it on your husband.
If I was him I would be pissed too 🤷🏼♀️
Screaming at him doesn't fix it
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 4,063 
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Post by CeeScraps on May 10, 2020 1:45:03 GMT
Get some wine! Let him clean it up.
Look at what is there. Is there anything at all you can cook? I’d be concerned but maybe would try to selvage some of it.
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Post by pierkiss on May 10, 2020 1:46:44 GMT
I would be pisssed. Ugh! The loss alone would make me mad. But to have my husband starts screaming at me on top for something I didn’t do? Nope. That would make it worse.
I would not use homeowners insurance on this. It’s not worth them raising your rates.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,687
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on May 10, 2020 1:50:06 GMT
Can you cook the stuff that’s still cold?
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Post by Really Red on May 10, 2020 1:52:23 GMT
I am so sorry. That would make me sick as well. You can make up and cook all the meat. You can make stews and then freeze the stews.All is not lost. I don’t know that it’s worth it to contact your insurance because it has to be over your deductible before they will even think about it and I don’t know if it is because the door on a freezer wasn’t closed.
I would be livid if my spouse as well, but I’m a big believer in not yelling. I think when you yell you lose. I think you owe an apology for yelling but that’s it. I know you’re upset and rightfully so. You worked hard to get all that meat in there at a good cost and you’re worried about money. Tell him there’s no excuse for yelling, but you want to explain why you were so frustrated.
I am really sorry.
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Post by Laurie on May 10, 2020 1:52:41 GMT
Since it is defrosted could you salvage it by cooking it and do some meal prepping?
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Post by mom on May 10, 2020 1:55:45 GMT
All of it is compelelty thawed? I would cook what I could & refreeze it for later.
I get that its a lot of money, but screaming at eachother probably wont help. And he probably wont apologize until he has time to calm down. I am sure he feels horrible (I know I would) but if he's being screamed out then he probably doesn't feel like his apology would be accepted.
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Post by elaine on May 10, 2020 1:56:44 GMT
I hear you! In the 3rd week of March, after I stocked up, dh did a similar thing, but I caught it after 12 hours and lost mostly ice cream. I check the freezer several times per day now.
The grand beef can be cooked as long as it is cold to touch. Then freeze the cooked ground beef.
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Post by Merge on May 10, 2020 1:57:42 GMT
If it's still cold/fridge temp I would cook it up and re-freeze it.
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 10, 2020 1:59:01 GMT
If it was still refrigerator cold, I’d try to cook as much of the meat as I could and then refreeze it. We thaw stuff out in the fridge a couple days before we eat it normally, so if it was still 38° or colder it wouldn’t have to be thrown out. I’m not even sure if it would be covered under insurance, especially if you have a higher deductible. Several years ago we had a big upright freezer that needed to be moved from its spot in the garage so the guy from Invisible Fence could connect up our system. Because we knew he was going to need to get in there, DH plugged the freezer into a long heavy duty extension cord so it could be pulled way out of the way for the guy. Guy hooks up system, pushes freezer back into place, everyone goes on their merry way. About two weeks later, DH said, “Something smells really rank like something died in the garage.” Huh. Weird. I went to check the freezer and discovered the fence guy UNPLUGGED IT ENTIRELY and just pushed it back into place when he was done. Everything, and I’m talking roughly $1500 in beef, pork, chicken and venison, totally thawed out and not even remotely cold. Total loss.  And that freezer stunk SO BAD. Thankfully insurance covered everything over the deductible ($500) and the fence company ponied up for the rest. But man was that nasty. We didn’t even want to put it in the garbage cans because we knew it would stink them up too.  |
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Post by christine58 on May 10, 2020 2:00:02 GMT
Pretty sure insurance is not going to cover it because it wasn’t due to an electrical outage or anything like that. I would take anything that is cold and cook it up and refreeze it.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on May 10, 2020 2:01:01 GMT
I have a large upright freezer stocked FULL of meats, veggies, ice cream, frozen foods. Last evening, not so DH went down to get out 2 frozen pizzas for dinner. Just about half hour ago, DD went down to get us some ice cream. She brought it up... the container had "icicles" and thick frost on it. Hmmm.. I went to investigate. Dh did not make sure the door was closed all the way and now everything (probably about 600) dollars worth of food is defrosted and not cool. I lost it on him. He started screaming back at me. No apology, just him being angry and yelling. I started pulling out everything to list what it cost. He kept grabbing stuff from me, "this is still cold, we can use it" I am not taking chances on meat and stuff that has been defrosted for 24 hours. I started carefully shopping to fill that freezer when I read the ideas here about stocking up. I bought probably about 75% of it when it was on sales. Purchased a little here and there so it wouldn't kill our budget all at once. Now what do I do? We don't have the money to replace everything. I'm not working (in education and schools are closed). Meat has gone up in price. For example, the ground beef I bought when it was on sale for 2.99 lb. The price is now 7.99 lb. I had about 15 lbs of it. He didn't even apologize. When I pointed out that if one of the kids had done this, he would have gone ape shit crazy on them, he screamed an apology at me. He's not ever mean or a screamer, I'm sure he's frustrated, but damn it... this is NOT my fault. He's cost us so much $ over the years doing stupid stuff. Now this. I left him in the basement to clear out the freezer, make a list of everything in it so I can put prices to it and figure out our loss. Then, to do something about all the food that's going to get gross before rubbish day next friday and get the freezer to defrost without soaking the basement where it's located. He said "well, DS did this once a few years ago." Yes, he did, but 1 DS was only 6 and 2. we only had about $100 worth in there at that time. DH is down there taking pictures too of the freezer shelves that are thick with ice build up now, and categorizing all the food and taking photos. He says that insurance will cover it. I don't think so since it was a stupid mistake, not a power outage. Besides, if they do cover it and we have to claim it, I think it'll raise our rates. Thanks for "listening." I'm just so angry right now about the loss and his attitude!!! While that has happened here before (and hubby did it, I lost my shit and cried)... . Couldn’t reverse it, and it all was warm —it was an upright basement freezer that we did not go down to use but maybe once a week. I figure it had been left open for 3 days. It even had a keyed lock built into the door. Ice cream had melted in a river all over the floor... And my hubby did the same—got mad at me for being upset about it! I had cleaned up half of it before he saw it—and I left him to clean up the rest, went and took a nap! I can certainly validate your being upset and frustrated. I was mad too! However... Why on Earth would you sit down to total up your loss?  To rub it in more? Scream and yell some more? It’s done. Cannot be undone. It was a stupid, unfortunate mistake (unless you think he did it on purpose). There is no value in being the person who is rubbing salt into the wounds of a mistake made by the other spouse. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on May 10, 2020 2:01:40 GMT
Massive cooking day and prep meals. Taco meat, carne asada, make soups.
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Post by Zee on May 10, 2020 2:03:50 GMT
You can cook all that meat and refreeze if it's still cool. Ask him to grab a pan and help. I'm sure he felt frustrated and guilty and your screaming at him just made him defensive and angry.
This is definitely something my DH would do so I get it, it's annoying AF but he sure didn't mean to do that.
I'm sure more can be saved than you think right now, because you're angry, but take a minute to think again and see what can be salvaged--if it was sitting in there with ice crystals like you described, probably most things are ok. And pulling everything out and screaming prices at him won't fix anything.
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Post by lucyg on May 10, 2020 2:05:55 GMT
(1) I doubt a full freezer would completely defrost in 24 hours, unless the door was left wide open. There’s probably lots in there that’s still salvageable. There’s really nothing to stop you from refreezing meat if it’s still cold.
My son did that to me once (chest freezer) and I tossed the things on top ... everything underneath was still icy.
(2) upright freezers are known for having problems with not staying closed on their own. Are you SURE he didn’t close properly?
(3) this is your husband. You’re supposed to be partners in life. Well, whatever ... it’s your own marriage. And I guess isolating at home is hard on everyone’s equilibrium.
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Post by cade387 on May 10, 2020 2:06:34 GMT
I’m sorry you are upset but it sounds like this was salvageable but if you threw everything it is wasted now. I’m hoping you thought this through after posting and didn’t waste all of that food 😢
Everyone is stressed right now and I won’t pretend that my DH and I are on the best terms, but please try to understand it wasn’t malicious- it was an accident.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,704
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on May 10, 2020 2:21:11 GMT
Sorry this happened, but I would cook what I could now and freeze it.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:25:04 GMT
Since it is defrosted could you salvage it by cooking it and do some meal prepping? . Not salvageable. Much of it is warm on the tops and only cold on bottom where it sat in ice. Not chancing making kids sick |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:26:50 GMT
If you feel you must throw out all that meat -- and I agree with everyone else that you probably do not -- mark it & leave it in the freezer until trash day so it's not stinking up the garbage.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:26:51 GMT
I have a large upright freezer stocked FULL of meats, veggies, ice cream, frozen foods. Last evening, not so DH went down to get out 2 frozen pizzas for dinner. Just about half hour ago, DD went down to get us some ice cream. She brought it up... the container had "icicles" and thick frost on it. Hmmm.. I went to investigate. Dh did not make sure the door was closed all the way and now everything (probably about 600) dollars worth of food is defrosted and not cool. I lost it on him. He started screaming back at me. No apology, just him being angry and yelling. I started pulling out everything to list what it cost. He kept grabbing stuff from me, "this is still cold, we can use it" I am not taking chances on meat and stuff that has been defrosted for 24 hours. I started carefully shopping to fill that freezer when I read the ideas here about stocking up. I bought probably about 75% of it when it was on sales. Purchased a little here and there so it wouldn't kill our budget all at once. Now what do I do? We don't have the money to replace everything. I'm not working (in education and schools are closed). Meat has gone up in price. For example, the ground beef I bought when it was on sale for 2.99 lb. The price is now 7.99 lb. I had about 15 lbs of it. He didn't even apologize. When I pointed out that if one of the kids had done this, he would have gone ape shit crazy on them, he screamed an apology at me. He's not ever mean or a screamer, I'm sure he's frustrated, but damn it... this is NOT my fault. He's cost us so much $ over the years doing stupid stuff. Now this. I left him in the basement to clear out the freezer, make a list of everything in it so I can put prices to it and figure out our loss. Then, to do something about all the food that's going to get gross before rubbish day next friday and get the freezer to defrost without soaking the basement where it's located. He said "well, DS did this once a few years ago." Yes, he did, but 1 DS was only 6 and 2. we only had about $100 worth in there at that time. DH is down there taking pictures too of the freezer shelves that are thick with ice build up now, and categorizing all the food and taking photos. He says that insurance will cover it. I don't think so since it was a stupid mistake, not a power outage. Besides, if they do cover it and we have to claim it, I think it'll raise our rates. Thanks for "listening." I'm just so angry right now about the loss and his attitude!!! While that has happened here before (and hubby did it, I lost my shit and cried)... . Couldn’t reverse it, and it all was warm —it was an upright basement freezer that we did not go down to use but maybe once a week. I figure it had been left open for 3 days. It even had a keyed lock built into the door. Ice cream had melted in a river all over the floor... And my hubby did the same—got mad at me for being upset about it! I had cleaned up half of it before he saw it—and I left him to clean up the rest, went and took a nap! I can certainly validate your being upset and frustrated. I was mad too! However... Why on Earth would you sit down to total up your loss? To rub it in more? Scream and yell some more? It’s done. Cannot be undone. It was a stupid, unfortunate mistake (unless you think he did it on purpose). There is no value in being the person who is rubbing salt into the wounds of a mistake made by the other spouse. . So that IF we can make an insurance claim Ican give them an itemized list of cost. I need to see how much exactly was in there to see if it’s doable. Not to rub it in. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:28:58 GMT
(1) I doubt a full freezer would completely defrost in 24 hours, unless the door was left wide open. There’s probably lots in there that’s still salvageable. There’s really nothing to stop you from refreezing meat if it’s still cold. My son did that to me once (chest freezer) and I tossed the things on top ... everything underneath was still icy. (2) upright freezers are known for having problems with not staying closed on their own. Are you SURE he didn’t close properly? (3) this is your husband. You’re supposed to be partners in life. Well, whatever ... it’s your own marriage. And I guess isolating at home is hard on everyone’s equilibrium. im sure. There are clotheslines in the same area and a pant leg hanging on the lines was in the door. It was wadded up on the door so it was open about a few inches and wet from the defrosting. Every time I go down to get something from there Indouble check and am constantly reminding the kids too. |
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Post by lisae on May 10, 2020 2:29:56 GMT
I would be mad, too. A few years ago, DH flipped a breaker in the basement and didn't double check the freezer when he turned it back on. The freezer didn't restart and I lost everything.
Don't know if homeowners will cover since it wasn't a power failure or appliance failure but I would definitely check. We have a separate $100 deductible on lost food from a refrigerator or freezer. I used it when a tornado came through and our power was out for 3 days. That was our only damage and they paid for everything lost except that $100. No impact on our rates.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:34:22 GMT
I’m sorry you are upset but it sounds like this was salvageable but if you threw everything it is wasted now. I’m hoping you thought this through after posting and didn’t waste all of that food 😢 Everyone is stressed right now and I won’t pretend that my DH and I are on the best terms, but please try to understand it wasn’t malicious- it was an accident. I know it wasn’t malicious. But any time he does something dumb which costs us $ he doesn’t care. If it’s the kids or I he gets really mad. The fact that he didn’t even seem apologetic was what was the most hurtful. He doesn’t care how much he spends on himself or for his mistakes. Double standards and that’s not fair. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 2:39:58 GMT
So who left the pants on the clothesline right in line with the door?
You can be right and pissed or you can be right and work together to salvage what you can. I think you are being overly dramatic about the safety of salvaging some and food prepping with it.
Your insurance isn't going to cover a door carelessly left open.
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Post by pjaye on May 10, 2020 2:51:57 GMT
I'm not exactly sure what I'd do about keeping it frozen - I'd have to see/feel the meet for myself to decide if I'd refreeze any of it.
However 24 hours and still cool to touch?
I'd cook as much of it as I possibly could.
Do a grocery run, get onions/herbs/stock etc
Any mince (ground beef), I'd make into hamburger patties or meatloaf and cook and when cool refreeze.
Or just brown it of in batches, crumble and refreeze to add to pats sauce the next time you make it.
Make & freeze some lasagna.
I'd cook and shred chicken and refreeze - you can add it to soups etc in the future.
Once I'd worked out how much I could cook - ring family and friends and see if they want any to cook up tonight, or even stand at the gate and yell at the neighbours to come and get it...make sure to tell them the have to cook it today though...I'd rather have someone eat it than toss it out.
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Post by freecharlie on May 10, 2020 2:57:05 GMT
How did the ice cream have icsicles but the meat is completely thawed?
Use a thermometer to check temperatures. Food can be safe for up to 4 hours in the danger zone
It kay be that some needs to be tossed and some can be saved.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2020 3:01:40 GMT
Wow. That’s a hard situation. It could happen to anyone though. Playing the blame game doesn’t really help you or him. You could always buy a freezer door alarm for him for his next birthday.
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Post by mom2samlibby on May 10, 2020 3:12:15 GMT
With it only being 24 hours, I'd probably keep most of it, especially if it's still cold.
Do you have a key & lock for your freezer? We have one on ours.
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Post by librarylady on May 10, 2020 3:12:33 GMT
If there were any ice crystals left in the meat, I'd refreeze it. Otherwise, I"d cook it and then freeze the cooked meat.
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To rub it in more? Scream and yell some more? It’s done. Cannot be undone. It was a stupid, unfortunate mistake (unless you think he did it on purpose). 
