{"id":204,"date":"2013-03-20T13:14:27","date_gmt":"2013-03-20T17:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/?p=204"},"modified":"2021-11-08T21:29:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T01:29:28","slug":"coolbotstm-inexpensive-cold-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2013\/03\/20\/coolbotstm-inexpensive-cold-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"CoolBots(TM): Inexpensive Cold Storage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/PDF_file_icon.svg\/625px-PDF_file_icon.svg.png\" alt=\"File:PDF file icon.svg - Wikimedia Commons\" width=\"40\" height=\"48\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>A downloadable PDF of this blog post is available&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2020\/09\/Coolbots-Inexpenive-Cold-Storage-V1.2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Demand for on-farm cold storage of produce is increasing as local markets for these goods expand. Many local producers are asking about CoolBots&#x2122;, a tool that works with a window air-conditioner to make a cooler out of an insulated space. This article collects information about CoolBots and&nbsp; highlights some considerations growers should be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why use a CoolBot?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>CoolBots cost less to install than a traditional refrigeration system.&nbsp; They can be installed by anyone with basic mechanical skills.&nbsp; The maintenance is also something that can be done by most people with basic skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In a nutshell<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Understand your storage needs;&nbsp;<ul><li>How much of each crop is being stored?&nbsp; How much space is needed for each crop?<\/li><li>Target temperature and humidity for each crop or group (see <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2012\/11\/14\/usda-handbook-66-fruit-berry-and-vegetable-storage-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\">USDA Handbook 66<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/go.uvm.edu\/cropplanner\" target=\"_blank\">UVM Crop Storage Planner<\/a>)<\/li><li>Cooler size (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/go.uvm.edu\/cropplanner\" target=\"_blank\">UVM Crop Storage Planner<\/a>)<\/li><li>How often will you be opening the cooler door?&nbsp; How can you reduce that?<\/li><li>How will you remove field heat prior to storage?<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/build-it\/room-shed-style-cooler\/\" target=\"_blank\">Build a good cooler box<\/a> (room)<\/li><li>Understand the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/support\/\" target=\"_blank\">limitations of the CoolBot<\/a><\/li><li>Use a&nbsp; <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/build-it\/ac-selection\/\" target=\"_blank\">recommended<\/a> AC unit of appropriate size<\/li><li>Plan for maintenance (cleaning the air conditioner coil, off-season storage, protection from elements, clearing the drain pan and drain hole, etc.)<ul><li>Maintenance and troubleshooting guides are available from <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/troubleshooting\/\" target=\"_blank\">storeitcold.com<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/7yPAuUuMQDe5LgcHDkw7a7UaCI6UPM46oNINdp2NI9puOD9Oj3VEnv58VospJuSoiXZ7Aa2XeU-ZNCnWuSfmluaSB7-YalpekatyhDz01AbL-uPYFs-zC8OzLBrsAp-SUCaeZpPH\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many vegetable farmers utilize Coolbots ($349), a controller that allows the AC unit to run with a lower temperature than normal, to simplify the refrigeration system of their walk-in coolers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.storeitcold.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Store It Cold<\/a>, the manufacturer, has a website with excellent resources and FAQ\u2019s,including a <a href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/build-it\/ac-selection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">list of recommended AC units<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CoolBots are NOT recommended for:&nbsp;<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Rapidly cooling a product&nbsp;<\/li><li>As a freezer \u2013 CoolBots perform best above 36 \u00b0F and will not go below 32 \u00b0F.<\/li><li>Sites with many door openings per day (for example&nbsp; &gt; 6 times per hour)<\/li><li>Running through the winter \u2013 not a show stopper, but you need to be more careful about which AC unit you choose<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other things to be very aware of, according to the CoolBot controller manufacturer, include<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/build-it\/room-shed-style-cooler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A well-constructed cooler box<\/a> \u2013 Start with a well-insulated (&gt;R24), well sealed (caulk and spray-foam everything, no gaps) cooler box. The University of Kentucky has an excellent set of <a href=\"https:\/\/storeitcold.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/University-Of-Kentucky-ColdRoom.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">documentation<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/boone.ca.uky.edu\/files\/coolbot_low_cost_refrigeration_basics-john_wilholt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">presentation<\/a> for a low cost cooler design. North Carolina State University also has a <a href=\"https:\/\/content.ces.ncsu.edu\/design-of-room-cooling-facilities-structural-energy-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fact sheet with guidance on cooler sizing and construction<\/a>.<\/li><li>A well-suited AC unit \u2013 avoid portable AC units. The AC unit will need to have a digital display and automatic restart.<\/li><li>Cooling a space above 61 \u00b0F.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>A <a href=\"http:\/\/storeitcold.com\/coolbot%20Report%20May09.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NYSERDA report <\/a>found that a cost estimate of the CoolBot system (15,000 BTU\/hr) is $750 installed compared to $4,400 for a conventional system. The operating costs of a CoolBot system are comparable to traditional refrigeration system.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cooler Cleaning Checklist<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether your winter storage rooms are getting bare or you are making the transition from sweet corn to potatoes, what better time to do a good cleaning and even sanitizing than now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download this\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2021\/09\/Farm-Cooler-Checklist-2.0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Guide &amp; Checklist<\/a>\u00a0as a PDF or read more in the blog post: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2017\/04\/21\/spring-cleaning-farm-cooler-checklist\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"924\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spring Cleaning &#8211; Farm Cooler Checklist<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A downloadable PDF of this blog post is available&nbsp;here. Demand for on-farm cold storage of produce is increasing as local markets for these goods expand. Many local producers are asking about CoolBots&#x2122;, a tool that works with a window air-conditioner to make a cooler out of an insulated space. This article collects information about CoolBots &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2013\/03\/20\/coolbotstm-inexpensive-cold-storage\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;CoolBots(TM): Inexpensive Cold Storage&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1174,"featured_media":3115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6522,50616,684047],"tags":[638705,523998,523911,638707,638706],"class_list":["post-204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-equipment","category-refrigeration-and-storage","category-energy-on-the-farm","tag-coolbot","tag-cooler","tag-diy","tag-diy-cooler","tag-walk-in-cooler","entry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2013\/03\/Coolbot-header-img-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2013\/03\/Coolbot-header-img-600x446.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Chris Callahan","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/author\/cwcallah\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=204"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4340,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204\/revisions\/4340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}