Why a temperature data logger is better than a thermometer
Businesses in the foodservice industry have relied on thermometers for centuries. Their ease of use and budget-friendly nature made them an obvious choice for many businesses in the foodservice industry. However, there are several disadvantages to utilizing thermometers to track your cold storage conditions. Primarily, they are not always accurate, require effort to audit, and even more time to record or analyze the data.
Fortunately, a remote temperature data logger can help mitigate these issues while simultaneously saving you money. Currently, only 5% of businesses in the foodservice industry use a temperature data logger to manage their cold storage and perishables. To eliminate some of the mystery around remote monitoring, read on learn more about temperature data loggers like Therma°
Why are thermometers ineffective?
The drawbacks of traditional thermometers begin in their design. Thermometers contain mercury or another similar chemical within a cylindrical tube. Exposure to climatic conditions causes that substance to expand in heat or contact in the cold. However, thermometers need calibration between uses to avoid succumbing to temperature drift. In contrast, temperature data loggers are pre-calibrated to make sure you get accurate data every time.
To learn more about temperature drift, read our article on the subject here.
Foodservice teams utilize thermometers as part of manual temperature checks. These manual checks consist of a member of your team physically checking and recording the temperature of your cold storage spaces. However, during the busy pace of service, the auditor may rush through their check or forge the log entirely, a phenomenon known as pencil whipping. Pencil whipping puts your business at risk because temperature excursions may go unnoticed. In turn, spoilage could occur without detection. Additionally, should you receive a visit from a health inspector, a lack of records (or incorrect records) could cause them to give your business a low inspection score or shut down your operations entirely, depending on the severity and other factors.
Another drawback of thermometers is that they only provide a snapshot in time of the cold storage conditions. While your staff may conduct temperature checks frequently, you still won’t be able to identify if there was a temperature excursion earlier in that afternoon or Tuesday morning. This puts you at risk of potentially serving spoiled food, which endangers your customers and business.
What is a temperature data logger?
A remote data logger is a device that digitally measures and records various data points in your food business. Some businesses utilize light monitoring devices to limit energy use, while some use water submeters to measure utility expenditures. However, temperature data is some of the most critical information you can track in the foodservice industry.
Temperature data loggers are devices that measure the temperature of your cold storage spaces and relay that information to the cloud. Users can access their data from any internet-enabled device. Data loggers are crucial because perishable inventory loss is one of the most expensive aspects of running a food service business. In fact, the average operation wastes 28-35% of its revenue annually on pre-consumer food waste.
Additionally, temperature data loggers offer other advantages for businesses in the foodservice industry. Temperature data loggers also function as a labor-saving devices. Some estimates indicate that the average temperature requires 15 minutes to complete across all cold storage units in a kitchen, such as lowboys, walk-ins, and freezers. If you consider that you may need to conduct temperature checks four times a day: that’s an hour spent performing a task that you can automate easily.
Another unique advantage of temperature data loggers is that they help you comply with local health ordinances. Many jurisdictions require food service businesses to keep a verified record of their cold storage temperatures over time. Therefore, when an inspection does visit your location for an audit, you can ensure you provide them with accurate logs to prevent fines and other consequences.
Therma’s data logging devices
Therma° is a revolutionary temperature data logger that puts money back in your pocket while saving your inventory, reducing your labor hours, and protecting your customers.
Our system consists of a sensor that automatically logs your data and displays it on your computer or mobile device so you can make sure you get the right data every time. Therma° utilizes LoRaWAN instead of WiFi, allowing her to function in any environment, even in kitchens composed of thick metal plated and concrete walls.
The best part? Therma° only costs $10 per sensor per month and you can expect to save $15,000 annually. With that ROI, Therma° is the obvious choice for your data logging needs. Click below to try Therma° today!