Background

Hotel with 17 bedroom, functions rooms and restaurant

Recently refurbished kitchen, with built in Fridge set outside the kitchen.

Fridge is quite an old model, actual age unsure

Broad variety of produce stored, on shelves which are usually full.

Regular deliveries of fresh produce

Chef very interested in food quality, takes pride in the standards of performance delivered.

 

Test Protocol

Comparison trials were done with and without the FiltaCool panels, with a data-logger installed in the fridge for a 7 day period before the panel installation, and a subsequent 7 day period after the panels had been installed and allowed to acclimatise.

In each stage a basket of fresh produce containing:-

  • Lettuce
  • Strawberries
  • Mushrooms
  • Pepper
  • Broccoli
  • Tomatoes

was placed in the fridge and observed by both FiltaCool staff and various members of the kitchen brigade, and comments recorded. Each phase was considered complete when the Chef determined that majority of the produce was no longer fit for use.

 

Dates

  • Phase 1 - Pre-Test - 27th April 2009 to 6th May 2009
  • Acclimatisation - 7th May 2009 to 17th May 2009
  • Phase 2 - Post Test - 18th May 2009 to 6th June 2009

General Observations

Ceiling and walls of the fridge were often damp with condensation during Phase 1, and the grill on the fans was often showing evidence of icing. During Phase 2 the Ceiling and walls were generally dry, and no icing was observed.

Conclusions

 

Fridge was accepted to be both colder and fresher after the installation of the FiltaCool Panels; data logger indicated that average temperature had reduced by just under 1°C, while average ambient (outside) temperature was nearly 3°C higher over the duration of phase 2. In addition humidity fluctuations were reduced.

 

see appendix i for summary data and appendix viii & ix for detailed day by day graphs

 

Dryness in the fridge will reduce the potential for airborne contamination of produce, reduced wetness on walls and ceilings should improve health and safety in the fridge, and deliver a better environment in which to store produce.

 

Produce quality was seen to be better on most items

 

See appendices for comparative photographs and comments.