If you need to keep anything in a freezer or refrigerator then you’re going to want to monitor the temperature. This is important at home but even, more important when you are running a business. After all, keeping the right temperature means your product will stay in great condition for longer, which means more happy customers and more profit for you.
The simplest way to monitor the temperature in your refrigerator or freezer is to invest in a high-quality temperature data logger. However, while it may seem tempting or even obvious to place the data logger in the freezer, it’s not a good idea.
Data loggers come with a probe, this is the part that belongs in the freezer. Placing the main unit in the freezer is not a good idea for the following reasons:
- Bad Signal
Most modern data loggers connect to an app or other program which stores the data and allows you to read it from almost anywhere in the world. This connectivity is wireless, relying on a good Wi-Fi connection.
However, most refrigerators and freezers are made of metal and are designed to create a tight seal. This means that the signal will be weak, and the data logger is unlikely to be able to connect to an app while you have it n the freezer.
- Difficult To Read
If you decide that this won’t be an issue you’ll simply manually check the temperature by opening the door and reading the screen, you’ll find this is also a bad idea.
Most displays use LCD technology, this is only good at temperatures from 0°C and upward./ When the temperature goes below zero, The display will react slowly and may even be damaged and not show anything.
In some cases the damage will be permanent, in others, warming the data logger will allow the screen to work again.
- Lowered Battery Life
Data loggers run off a lithium battery. Unfortunately, these also work better in warmer temperatures. A lithium battery is likely to lose half its charging potential just because it’s being used at zero degrees or less.
In other words, you’re going to need to replace the battery often and lithium batteries are not cheap to replace. It’s better to keep it warmer and allow it to last longer.
- Potentially Damaging
Data loggers are designed to monitor temperatures across the scale. However, keeping the logger in the freezer and then removing it to read it, replace the battery, or do anything else, is likely to cause a quick change of temperature. The warm air hitting the cold surface will cause condensation. This can happen inside the logger which will result in moisture where the electronics are. A short is likely. If that happens you’ll need to replace the entire unit, it’s unlikely to be covered by any warranty as it’s not recommended to keep data loggers in the freezer.
Instead, put the probe inside with its connection to the unit going through the door seal. The system will last much longer this way.
