Temperature and humidity solution with Royal Oak Catering
During our summer BBQ at our local watering hole The Royal Oak in the picturesque New Forest we got to talk to the Head Chef about our range of EL-WiFi temperature and humidity solution. Within minutes the management was convinced and within days they’d purchased and installed our Temperature and Humidity sensors (EL-WIFI-TP and EL-WIFI-TH) in the dry store, refrigeration and freezer areas.
All food businesses need to comply with HACCP food safety regulations. One key element of this is proof of due diligence, so it’s essential to have an accurate system to monitor your handling, preparation, and food storage temperatures/
Pub Manager Richard Bird explained that recording temperatures manually means there’s a risk of human error and that due to the pressures of the job, temperatures aren’t taken as regularly as they would be in an ideal world. Richard realized that setting up the EL-WiFi sensors in all the food-related areas of the premises would enable him to meet all the HACCP regulations as well as provide him with useful data and peace of mind that the job had been done.
Of course, it is also important that food is kept at the right temperatures en route from the pub to the members’ homes. Our low-cost cold chain loggers are placed in containers that have LED alarms to warn the driver if the temperature exceeds the thresholds. A custom low and high alarm was created for this purpose ensuring that the food is still hot when it arrives at its destination. Both solutions ensure regulations of the HACCP are met giving everyone peace of mind and satisfied customers!
Food Safety Monitoring Using Wireless EasyLog Data Loggers
When members of the Home Cinema Club (HCC) have their feet up watching a movie and tucking into some home-cooked food delivered to their door, they probably don’t appreciate what goes on behind the scenes to ensure their hot and cold food is safe to consume. The secret is ensuring food quality with EL-WIFI.
The Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge and The Royal Oak pub in North Gowley got together to give members a home experience with movies streamed to their homes and the pub cooking and delivering to their doorstep.
So how does Lascar play a vital role in this service? The fridge and freezers in the pub’s kitchen house Lascar’s data loggers frequently monitor the temperature and because these operate through the WiFi network the temperature can easily be checked remotely from a mobile phone. If there was a disaster, such as a power cut or fault (which did happen in the past), the loggers will send an email alert. The food would be saved meaning the business does not lose on the cost of replacing it and the members of the HCC would not go without it!
Of course, it is also important that food is kept at the right temperatures en route from the pub to the members’ homes. Our low-cost cold chain loggers are placed in containers that have LED alarms to warn the driver if the temperature exceeds the thresholds. A custom low and high alarm was created for this purpose ensuring that the food is still hot when it arrives at its destination. Both solutions ensure regulations of the HACCP are met giving everyone peace of mind and satisfied customers!
Using the Testo Saveris 2 in Food Stores to monitor conditions
Testo Saveris 2 in food stores is a common site in the food industry. In his often-quoted book, Out of the Crisis, about quality improvement as a competitive advantage, Edward Deming details 14 principles of quality management. While they are all necessary for a complete quality management mindset, #3 is acutely relevant to changes happening with food quality and food safety today. The third principle states: “Cease dependency on inspections”. This speaks to the heart of what forward-thinking firms around the globe are engaging in eHACCP, digital quality control, and automated food safety. Food service organizations, restaurants, food retailers, convenience stores and everyone in-between currently relies on a multitude of layers to INSPECT QUALITY into their organizations.
Examples of this include corporate quality directors writing and distributing quarterly updated paper checklists, regional managers visually inspecting sites for up-to-date checklists every day, and on-site managers reviewing and physically signing employee check sheets at the end of shifts. In most instances, all of these inspections do little to provide visibility or assurance that policies and procedures are being properly executed daily. So, companies hire third-party inspection services to assess compliance and review documents regularly (monthly or quarterly) to further inspect the quality. Some forward-thinking firms are asking themselves: “Is there a better way? Can we lower the number of inspections, lower costs and improve quality and food safety?”
One regional food retail operation sought to improve quality, lower costs, and reduce inspection efforts by digitizing and electronically distributing their food
quality inspection manuals. This multi-unit company is centrally controlled through the HQ offices. New food safety books are written, reviewed, approved, printed, and distributed from the corporate office. The cost to print and distribute these manuals annually exceeds $40,000. Additionally, hundreds of undocumented management hours are spent ensuring the updated lists are in use across all of the units. This management by inspection is estimated to cost approximately $25,000 annually. It has also been recorded by the third-party inspection firm that most facilities have incomplete inspection reports and pencil-whipped documents across the board. Should an incident occur, the cost to the brand is estimated at no less than one million dollars per potential incident. However, because management understands that all risk cannot be eliminated through the introduction of one system, this brand risk was pushed down to $200,0000 total for purposes of a return-on-investment (ROI) analysis. The amount of 20% of the at-risk dollars was determined to be a reasonable expectation given the scope of the testo Saveris Food Stores system capabilities.
The Project Objective
To implement hardware and software that would eliminate paper, be centrally controlled by the organization, locally adaptable for varying equipment types/menus, eliminate checklists that are not relevant to the site, and be 100% up-to-date every day, everywhere without effort. The system must also be user-driven so that the corporation can easily change and update checklists as needed. Additionally, checklists must have the option to be “seasonal in nature,” meaning they can have timed start and end dates.
During the project scope phase, six (6) different workstations were identified. These were the bakery, deli, soup/salad/wing bar, specialty meat/seafood counter, dairy area, and meat grinding station. For the purpose of a proof of concept during the pilot phase, 2 work stations were chosen in 2 different store locations: the deli & the soup/salad/wing bar. The company’s existing checklists for both work stations were programmed into the testo Saveris Food Stores software system and stationary wireless temperature data loggers were installed in strategic locations to continuously collect data. Two shifts of line staff were trained and provided with Bluetooth-enabled multifunctional thermometers and a rugged purpose-built tablet.
The client wanted to test the flexibility of the system and gauge how their employees reacted to change. It was decided that, over the course of a 90-day trial, checklists were changed at the corporate level. In the control store, communication about these changes followed the normal path. Employees were informed via standard corporate emails and postings on employee bulletin boards about the change. At the test store, employees were not informed of the changes to checklists. The difference in communication at the store level was decided to test how well employees adapt to changes in expectations communicated electronically through the testo Saveris Food Stores system as opposed to the traditional method of informing and inspecting quality in the process.
Findings from the 90-day pilot confirmed the key drivers for the project. Printed checklist costs could be eliminated, which did not surprise the management team. Additionally, the changes to the checklist were automatically followed at both locations regardless of management’s engagement with the line employees. The surprises in the pilot study came from unexpected areas of importance to the organization.
Improvements
In one location, significant improvements were made in the soup/salad/wing bar area. After only 2-weeks of engagement with the system, it was clear that temperatures for foods going into the salad bar at one location were consistently being found outside of minimum expectations. Quality assurance, location management, and Testo started to investigate the situation. The store manager was certain that the new Testo equipment was either gathering data incorrectly or malfunctioning due to improper installment. All hands were called into the location to address the problem and do a field validation of the temperature probe. Testo team then verified that all the equipment was functioning correctly and the quality assurance manager conducted a thorough process analysis of the preparation and production process. During this review, it was identified that the salad bar re-chilling process was not being followed correctly. Salad bar items were not being properly re-chilled to below 40°F prior to being taken out of temperature control and placed on the salad bar. This was allowing several Temperature Control for Safety (TCS ) items to rise slightly (to 43°F) during the salad bar set-up. Training ensued, the handling process was adjusted, and temperatures normalized at the salad bar.
Anecdotally, the manager for both locations found that the overall cleanliness at the Deli counter seemed to improve. During an interview at the end of the pilot study the deli managers were asked, why did they think the managers noticed an improvement in the overall cleanliness and appearance of the deli counter area? The response was clear. Numerous temperature checks were eliminated due to embedded sensors in the deli case and employees had more time to straighten shelves and keep the product appearance at its peak. When asked further to quantify the amount of time saved due to automated temperature checks and automated alarms, employees felt that 30-60 minutes per shift was saved by avoiding numerous hand-recorded temperature checks.
In a round-table discussion with the users at the end of the trial period, an employee pointed out that she thought the system would have created an incredible benefit 6-months prior. At that time, the door was left open in a small walk-in refrigerator behind the deli counter. It went unnoticed and the temperature inside the refrigerator rose above expectations. The deli staff (3 people) spent an hour checking product temperatures by hand. She estimated about $2,000 of meats were lost due to this issue. With open door and temperature alarms sent via email, the system would have found the problem and alerted staff before any food loss.
ROI Evaluation
Each retail location has 6 departments. The department heads review and sign the daily checklist for their department. This is done for 2 shifts per day. The cost for this operation alone can be completely eliminated through the use of the comprehensive, electronic checklists visually available at the store, regional, and corporate levels. Based on 89 locations, the savings to eliminate this effort alone pay for the entire system and are calculated to be $584,000.
5 minutes to check each list
6 lists to check
2 shifts per store
60 minutes of labor or 1 hour = 365 Hr/store/Year
89 stores x 365 = 32,485Hr/Year Total Saved
Average Manager pay = $18/Hr
Total savings = $584,730
All printing is eliminated, creating an additional $40,000 in annual savings. The company also estimated that its managerial inspections for up-to-date documents could be eliminated, saving another $25,000.
Using the EL-SIE-2 to monitor conditions inside ootheca incubators
EL-SIE-2 Temperature Logging for breeding and selling captive-bred mantises is more than just a hobby for the online mantis shop owner, Kelly Coleby. Since establishing the Cheeky Mantis in 2018, Kelly has been encouraging people to discover the wonders of mantis keeping through advice on her website and by consistently updating her social media pages.
From their base in Basildon, Essex, the Cheeky Mantis offer a range of interesting and unique mantis species such as the Giant Asian Mantis and Cryptic Mantises, both originally from Africa, and the Black Spot Mantis found in the Caribbean.
Being from such exotic climes, these mantis species are at their happiest in temperatures between 20 and 30°C.
The Challenge
Breeding any type of praying mantis species can be a task in itself – this is a shar
ed concern within the world of mantis hobbyists.
The Cheeky Mantis face constant battles in keeping such exotic creatures, especially when it comes to optimizing consistent temperature and humidity levels inside their enclosures. Peak enclosure conditions keep the mantis happy and help them thrive but, ultimately, they ensure they remain alive.
As part of the breeding process, the Cheeky Mantis will take the ootheca – that’s the nest the eggs are laid in – and place them in an incubator where temperatures and humidity can be closely observed. Monitoring these conditions is vitally important.
“Temperature and humidity levels have to be within a certain range to hatch ootheca. If the ootheca is too cold or not kept humid enough, they won’t hatch.”
A temperature and humidity monitoring solution that has the ability to warn of any critical changes inside the incubator, but one that also wouldn’t need constant manual checks, was required.
The Solution
After years of using ordinary thermometers and humidity readers to help monitor the conditions inside the ootheca incubators, an EL-SIE-2 temperature and humidity data logger was installed.
Capable of accurately monitoring conditions, recording and storing data, and alerting users to changes in the ootheca’s environment via its onboard light indicators and sounder alarm, the newly-installed data logger was used to ensure constant optimal conditions.
“The EL-SIE-2 has helped me keep track of temperature and humidity levels in my incubator, and where I need to adjust temperature and humidity to get levels spot…
…I found the EL-SIE-2 to be very easy to use and read on the device and easy to navigate the website to see the readings.”
With the EL-SIE-2 installed, the Cheeky Mantis no longer had to worry about temperature and humidity fluctuations affecting the well-being of their praying mantis.
Fret not, we have a whole range of data logger with usb that do not require the use of WiFi. Although our Wi-Fi connected loggers allow you to effortlessly monitor data from anywhere in the world, at any time, we understand that you may not always have access to a Wi-Fi connection in certain applications.
Advanced USB Data Loggers
EL-USB
An economical method of recording temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, and more. Data can be graphed, printed, or exported for further analysis.
EL-CC & EL-PDF
Cost-effective, multi and single-use loggers for a variety of cold chain processes – transport of chilled/frozen goods, ambient pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and more.
EL-GFX
Handheld USB data loggers with increased memory, enhanced durability, and a graphical interface with real-time information and graphing functionality.
EL-SIE
Our most advanced range of USB data loggers. Configure the device, as well as view, analyze and graph data without the need for software downloads
EL-USB-2-LCD+ for Data Logger for Vaccine Monitoring
Data Logger for Vaccine is not only important for human vaccines but veterinary vaccines as well. However, the environment for storing human vaccines and veterinary vaccines may be different. In this article, we will be exploring on how the EL-USB-2-LCD+ can help with the monitoring temperature and humidity and risk of potency of storage of livestock vaccines.
Livestock vaccines are a key asset to animals and people’s health. These vaccines are not only a cost-effective method to stop the spread of animal diseases, but it also helps to reduce and prevent transmission of zoonotic and foodborne infections to people. The usage of livestock vaccines would be an essential way to achieve maximal vaccine safety and efficacy.
Research carried out by the University of Bristol found that there are many guides on how to store vaccines that are intended for humans, but no clarity on storing vaccines for animals. Even though there are not many guides out there the recommended storing temperature for animal vaccines are between 2 to 8°C.
Thus, the primary intention of the study was to study the current refrigeration processes for storing of livestock vaccines. By studying the processes understanding the performance of on farm refrigerators and their ability to correct storage temperature would be a breeze. As the research team can evaluate the risks of storing livestock vaccines in fridges on the farm before animal application.
The Study
From January to August 2014, the research team have monitored the internal and external temperatures of 17 refrigerators amongst several farms. To conduct the research, the team used our Easylog EL-USB-2-LCD+ temperature and humidity data loggers. These temperature and humidity data loggers were then placed inside the chosen refrigerators, one at the top of the shelve and one at the bottom. Another logger was also placed outside of the refrigerator but in the same room as the fridge.
The temperature and humidity data loggers were configured to have a temperature reading of every 30 minutes which is recommended by the manufacturer Lascar Electronics. After the study was done, the results were compiled, and the temperatures were evaluated.
The Results
The recorded data from the loggers provided an enormous amount of raw information on the conditions inside the fridges. Ultimately, the results identified that all the fridges used across this study failed to sustain the correct temperatures needed to protect vaccine potency and therefore did not provide adequate conditions for vaccine storage.
The results suggested that on-farm vaccine storage is often neglected by farmers, and therefore suggested that vaccine storage on farms should be minimized. Alternatively, when vaccines must be kept on farms, then temperature monitoring of the refrigerator is highly recommended. Digital data loggers can be programmed to send automatic alerts via SMS or email to forewarn a potential temperature deviation, helping to minimize the risk of vaccines losing their potency and to ensure livestock vaccines remain efficient.
What are data loggers, you may ask? Never heard of data loggers and would like to find out more? Fret not, in this article we will be explaining to you what data loggers are and how they can benefit you for your personal use or for your business.
Data loggers are versatile tools used to collect and store data in a wide range of applications. From industrial settings to laboratory experiments, data loggers are designed to measure, record, and store data points over a given period of time. With the ability to capture a wide variety of data, they are essential to many industries and essential to the research process.
Data loggers can be used to monitor pressure, temperature, humidity, and other physical properties. These devices are also used in automation and control systems to monitor and adjust the environment to maintain a desired level of performance. In industrial settings, data loggers are often used to monitor and track production processes. This can help facilitate quality control and provide a way to track performance.
In the laboratory, data loggers are used to helping researchers analyze the results of experiments. Data loggers can be used to measure and record physical properties such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, as well as chemical properties such as pH, conductivity, and oxygen levels. By recording data over a given period of time, researchers can accurately track the performance of their experiments and identify areas for improvement.
Data loggers are also used in environmental studies to measure and record air quality, soil moisture, and others.
What can data loggers measure?
To begin with, data loggers are electronic devices that monitor the different types of conditions in an environment be it outdoors, indoors, or in extreme temperatures. Data loggers can record a wide range of applications ranging from temperature, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, voltage, current, light, and events.
The data loggers are then used to record and store data over an extended time period and you would be able to analyze the data that has been collected via software which can be easily accessed by plugging the data logger into your laptop or pc. You also have the option to send your collected data to our cloud software so that you would not lose any data recorded.
Now that we know what data loggers can do and measure, we will be moving on to what type of data logger we should use. USB or WiFi connectivity?
USB or WiFi Data Loggers?
The two most popular types of data loggers are USB data loggers and WiFi data loggers. Both data loggers have their own benefits, but it all comes down to your personal preference and which type of data logger would suit your application.
USB Data Loggers
The first type of data logger that we would be talking about is Lascar Electronics USB data loggers. USB data loggers are not only convenient due to its size, but it is also very easy to use. Depending on your criteria you may even get a USB data logger with an LCD display to view your readings immediately.
Some of our USB data loggers have very simple functions to the extent where some USB loggers can be activated by a push of a button. These USB loggers have a recording memory of a little over 30,000 readings to a whopping 1,000,000 readings. By now, you must be thinking to yourself with all that memory there must be a downside to it right? Well, not exactly. In fact, our USB data loggers are very durable and are able to withstand being rugged, weatherproof and are used widely in harsh environments such as farms and cold chain freezers due to their IP67 rating.
WiFi Data Loggers
Next would be the WiFi data loggers, these WiFi loggers are specially designed and manufactured to make it more convenient as your data or readings can be accessed via web software or mobile app. They can also be placed at a designated location permanently as you would view the readings via your mobile app. Not to mention you would not be missing out on any information either as you would receive email notifications for low battery, temperature or humidity breaches and disconnection of device. These data and recordings can also be downloaded via the cloud.
Lastly, most of our WiFi data loggers are also IP67 rated which means similarly to the USB data logger they can withstand rugged environment and conditions.
Where should I use my data logger?
As mentioned in the above, data loggers can be used for many different types of application. Our data loggers can be used to track the temperature of your personal fridge to monitoring the temperature and humidity of a cold chain process. Some examples of how data loggers can be used are as follows:
Temperature monitoring of vaccines in both storage and shipment
Temperature monitoring of food that is stored and transported is still safe to consume
Temperature and humidity monitoring of indoor and outdoor air quality
Temperature monitoring of food processes such as baking or pasteurizing
Automated temperature checks in medical and veterinary clinics
Humidity monitoring of buildings to keep it safe from mould and dampness
If these data loggers could bring benefit to you, look no further than our range of wireless and USB data loggers. Feel free to contact our sales team who will be happy to assist you in helping you find the right data logger for your use.
One may ask how does Sensorist work? Well, before we begin. Have you had any trouble finding a solution to monitor the temperature and humidity of your fridge, industrial freezer, or any other temperature-sensitive items? Well, look no further as we introduce to you a simple yet effective and cost-friendly temperature and humidity monitoring system that will change the way LIVE temperature and humidity monitoring works.
So, one may ask what is Sensorist, what is so good about Sensorist and how does it work? In layman’s terms, Sensorist is a technology-changing temperature and humidity monitoring system that is applicable for a wide range of activities from simple monitoring of your very own wine cellar to a complex industrial building. Sensorist can do it all.
To begin, Sensorist works by having a gateway and a sensor. In each set or bundle, a plug to power the gateway, a LAN point, a Gateway, and a sensor is provided to kickstart your monitoring journey with Sensorist.
To set up Sensorist system first, the gateway has to be plugged into a socket to power it up. It also has to be connected to a LAN point as the gateway will act as the “brain” of the system. After the gateway is powered up we will then have to connect the sensor to the gateway via radio frequency or RF.
Now, you may think won’t radio frequency interferes with any of our electronics. The answer is no, using radiofrequency or RF as a connection will not affect any of your electronics even your walkie-talkie. Plus, connection with radiofrequency or RF is much stronger than using WiFi. In an open area, Sensorist’s Gateway and Sensor can be placed up to 900m apart and still be able to record.
Once everything is in working order, you can now begin to live monitoring your temperature and humidity. Since Sensorist has both a mobile app and computer software for you to configure your settings. You will receive notifications on both your mobile application and email if there is a breach of temperature or humidity. Mobile app and email notifications will also be activated if the battery of the sensor is low or a disconnection happens. However, fret not the sensor’s batteries would last around 2 years of use depending on the frequency of the reading.
So, how Sensorist system works on the Sensorist Cloud System is as follows. Once the sensor starts recording the environment’s temperature and humidity it then transmits its data to the gateway via radiofrequency. Once the gateway receives the data it then transmits the data to Sensorist’s cloud. Thus, you have the ability to recheck old data that has been recorded years back.
Users can also attach an external probe to monitor liquid temperatures or place the probe into a fridge or freezer to monitor the temperature while the sensor is still outside of the enclosed area. This would come in handy as a gateway can pair up to 99 sensors and all temperatures could be monitored via a mobile app or desktop website.
Case Study – Food distribution company
An example of Sensorist being used would be in a Food Distribution Company. Food Company A wants to have a monitoring system for 15 of its industrial freezers and chillers. As they realized that if they do not have a temperature monitoring system, accidents may occur without them knowing.
Such as a staff forgetting to close the door properly or if there is an electrical outage. This would be costly for them as their inventory would be damaged. In this case, Sensorist would be perfect for their application.
After a site visit, we noted that their chillers and freezers were located side by side to one another and all we needed was one gateway to connect all the sensors. Usually, the number of gateways varies from case to case as each company’s freezers and chillers are located at different locations. This also includes the availability of a LAN point and a socket to power the gateway.
To further make the system more effective probes were attached to the sensors and only the probes were placed into the freezer or chiller while the sensor is located outside. Even though, the temperature and humidity sensor itself is able to withstand temperatures up to -30 °C. It would be better to locate the sensor outside as we would be able to use fewer gateways, in which this case was only 1 gateway.
The reason for this is that the walls on the freezer and chillers are thick and once the sensor is placed inside, the connection level would be around 5-15% between the gateway and the sensor. Even though a connection level of anything above 5% is perfectly fine, sensors in the freezers or chillers that are located further away from the gateway may lose the connection because of this.
Once the sensors, gateway, and probes were in place Food Company A was able to start live monitoring and record the temperature of their freezers and chillers. The data would all be on one computer software that is easy to use and user-friendly. The data then can be viewed and printed via the software. The users are also able to set their temperature and humidity breach to receive alerts which is what Food Company A made their operations hassle-free and one less thing to worry about.
On that note, we will be ending our case study. If you have any questions regarding Sensorist’s temperature and humidity monitoring system or any of our products, feel free to contact us via email or contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Breeding any type of praying mantis species can be a task in itself – this is a shar
