Not checking your freezer temperature

The lack of a freezer that maintains the proper temperature is one of the worst blunders you could be making while freezing ground beef. The USDA claims that a temperature of 0 F will stop microbial growth in meat, enabling ground beef to be kept for extended periods of time. Environment beef becomes a breeding ground for bacteria as the temperature increases over 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is a good idea to keep a freezer thermometer in your freezer and check it occasionally to make sure the temperature is not increasing above 0 F because keeping a safe temperature is very important. Several factors could be at play if your freezer is unable to maintain this crucial temperature (via AHS). The first thing to check is whether or not your freezer door is kept open or closed. Additionally, verify if the items in your freezer are obstructing the air circulation fan. Your freezer can potentially be experiencing a mechanical issue. You should contact a repair expert if you think this might be the situation.

Keeping your freezer at the proper temperature during power outages is another challenge. Ground beef should be safe in a freezer for 48 hours as long as the door is maintained closed to maintain the cold air, according to the Department of Energy. Ground beef can only be kept in the freezer for two hours once it reaches a temperature of 40 F.