Cream storage environment monitoring U12-011/U12-012

Whether covered in hot fudge or dripping from a cone, ice cream has a timeless appeal. Few people understand Benny Pappas, owner and founder of Lizzy's Ice Cream, a novelty ice cream parlor in Massachusetts. Pappas has earned a reputation for serving some of the best ice cream in New England. "Creating premium ice cream with exciting and unique flavors has always been a dream of mine," explains Pappas. "At Lizzy, we produce 25,000 gallons of ice cream a year, and a lot of work goes into the process."

To ensure that Lizzy's final product is available in good condition, Pappas needs to constantly monitor the temperature conditions and power consumption of his freezers. If the ice cream freezes too slowly, ice crystals can form, ruining the smooth, creamy texture of the ice cream.

Until recently, all temperature monitoring was performed manually simply by reading the temperature on a digital thermometer attached to the refrigerator. If his refrigerator had a problem with fluctuating temperatures, Pappas worried he might not realize the problem until it was too late. He needs a system that not only monitors the equipment, but also provides an alarm function to notify him if there is a problem with the refrigerator. "I needed to determine if there was a problem with temperature fluctuations or power outages that protected the integrity of all our equipment," Pappas explained.

To maintain quality and improve monitoring strategies, Pappas selected HOBO U12 data loggers from Onset (Birne, MA) to continuously monitor the equipment. These pocket-sized, battery-operated devices can be used to continuously monitor temperature, AC current, and other environmental conditions.

HOBOU12-001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011, U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 external sensor input, increase the selection and application of measurement range. As standalone devices, the HOBOU12-001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011, U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 can store tens of thousands of readings and operate for a year on a single battery. Pappas installs a freezer for HOBO loggers. In the main refrigerator, a HOBOU12 with two temperature sensors and two AC current transformers is installed on the ceiling inside the refrigerator. The second refrigerator houses another HOBOU12 four temperature sensors. "Within a few hours, our log system was set up, and U12-001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011, U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 started reading every five minutes," Pappas explain.

To view and analyze the data collected by the logger, Pappas started using the HOBOware Pro software alarm and readout tool, the plug-in module for HOBOware. HOBOware, which can be used on all types of computers, features simple Recorder start and readout functions, powerful data plotting functions, and an intuitive graphical user interface.

The alert and readout tool automatically notifies Pappas via cell phone text message or email when temperatures exceed his specified limits. It also enables Pappas to automatically offload and store data from the HOBO data logger, which is connected to a PowerMac G4 via an Ethernet connection.

The importance of viewing data over the web for Pappas cannot be overemphasized. "Due to lack of available space we already have in our facility," he said, "we need to expand our refrigerator space in a different part of the building. I need U12-001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011 , U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 with reliable data logging software and alarm functions, allowing me to monitor the refrigerator condition and diagnose any problems at all times."

"When I want to view data, I connect to Apple's system via the Internet or an Ethernet connection and control it using Virtual Network Computing (VNC) software. This allows me to view data. I can easily connect to it from my home or office network and diagnose any issues.” Since implementing the data logging solution, U12-001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011, U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 people have run problem free, even helped Pappas diagnoses a major problem with one of his freezers and protects the ice cream.

On the hottest day of the year, Lizzy was working overtime to produce huge quantities of ice cream to meet the demands of her customers when Pappas received a text message from the alarm software notifying him that the temperature in his large freezer had risen above 5°F for 30 minutes.

From his home office, Pappas was able to connect to Apple's servers via the Internet and view data, which showed that the temperature of the refrigerator had been rising steadily. "Obviously a major problem with the cooling of the two compressor units of the refrigerator," Pappas said. "I drove over to Lizzy's to explain the situation to my staff and instruct them to freeze all new ice cream. We need to keep the door of the ailing freezer closed as the remaining single compressor will struggle to keep it cold enough Protect the ice cream."

Because the alarm clock software notified Pappas once there was a problem, he was able to prevent the damage to the ice cream and have a new compressor installed the next day. "If I hadn't been notified of the alarm, the rise in freezer temperature would likely not have been noticed until the next day. This would have caused very serious damage to my supply and extended exposure of ice cream to the heat," he said.

Pappas concludes, "Every day, I get a text message telling me that my system is still functioning, improving my peace of mind. I am very satisfied with the HOBOware alarm and readout tools, and I plan to install additional U12 -001, U12-006, U12-008, U12-011, U12-012, U12-013, U12-014 and alarm software for more refrigeration equipment."