Freezer alarm prevents sticky end at artisan ice-cream maker

• Thursday, 11 February 2010

When the power to The Ice Cream Union's main freezer failed on a Sunday morning it could have meant saying goodbye to GBP30,000 worth of ice-cream. However, as soon as the power cut occurred general manager Alex Fubini was alerted by a text message sent automatically to his mobile phone and he was able to fix up a temporary power supply within the hour.

The artisan ice-cream maker had had the foresight to install freezer alarms from Mendip Micro Systems a few months before. With these, if any of the freezer temperatures moves outside preset limits, or if the power fails, the system automatically sends an SMS message to the designated recipients, telling them precise details of the problem.

"The cost of the Mendip Micro alarm was a very small price to pay to save our stock, which would have taken us weeks to replenish," said Alex Fubini. "On top of the cost, we would have had a lot of unhappy customers."

Ice-cream is particularly vulnerable to a freezer failure, since unlike most frozen food it starts to deteriorate if the temperature rises above -14degC. "You can't just keep the door shut and hope the power comes back on," explained Fubini.

Mendip Micro's alarm units are supplied preconfigured, making them extremely simple to install. If required, the preset alarm limits can be changed remotely by the user just by sending the unit a text message. With very low running costs, each unit can monitor up to three temperature sensors with a range from -50degC to +50degC at an accuracy of +/-1degC.

Minimum and maximum temperatures are logged automatically to help meet due diligence record-keeping requirements under food hygiene legislation.

The freezer alarm units have a built-in 24 hour battery backup and are designed and manufactured by Mendip Micro in the UK. They are supplied in a robust IP65 wall mounting enclosure. As well as monitoring cold stores and freezers, there is also a 12V model for refrigerated transport.

-ends-

Photo caption

Mendip Micro's freezer alarm automatically sends a warning text message if a freezer fails.

Notes for editors

Mendip Micro Systems is an independent electronic engineering company based on the Mendip Hills near Cheddar. The company designs and builds telemetry, alarm and control systems for home, factory, environmental monitoring, water and sewage treatment plants as well as computer room monitoring.
www.mendipmicro.co.uk

The Ice Cream Union is a Battersea based artisan ice-cream company using traditional production methods and the highest quality ingredients. It sells ice-cream and sorbets to around 150 of London's finest restaurants, pubs and other outlets and works with chefs to prepare bespoke recipes.
www.icecreamunion.com

Ref: MMS110
Date: 11 February 2010

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David Barritt
Mendip Micro Systems
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Web: www.mendipmicro.co.uk

Mendip Micro Systems Ltd, Mendip House, Bradley Cross, Cheddar BS27 3YR, UK

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