Cool Bot controller

[clkeiper]

does anybody have a cooler with a cool bot as the main source of refrigeration?

[BigVanVader]

I don't but when I build a WIC I plan to use it.

[clkeiper]

Up and working. so... I guess no one who does markets has a WIC? how do you pick and store produce until the market?

[BigVanVader]

Extra fridge.

[Nematode]

Buddy uses one to keep grapes cool on the way to the winery.
Had to make a trailer of his own because when he is harvesting so is everyone else and no trucks/trailers available.

Seems ok.

[Cole_Robbie]

My grandpa has an old wic that he bought used when I was a kid, mostly for peaches and melons, I think. Grandma used an extra fridge or two on the porch for okra, beans, and squash.

That's what is nice about only growing tomatoes, no fridge required.

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

My grandpa has an old wic that he bought used when I was a kid, mostly for peaches and melons, I think. Grandma used an extra fridge or two on the porch for okra, beans, and squash.

That's what is nice about only growing tomatoes, no fridge required.

we have outgrown the fridge size storage.
we grow a bit of anything I think I can sell or know I can sell. fruit is terribly fragile and perishable... corn, grapes, peppers, apples, lettuce, cabbage, cukes, zukes, beans... lots and lots of beans, watermelons, cantaloupe, etc.... and I grow on about 2 acres (1 is corn) so I grow huge quantities that need chilled. AM markets don't leave much time for AM harvesting.

[PureHarvest]

The coolbot is good. Cheap and efficient way to cool a small box. Especially if you can locate the box in the shade.

[BigVanVader]

Realistically I need a WIC, but I will have to build one, and I hate building stuff. I keep checking CL but most are either junk or way to expensive. I'm planning to focus much more on salad mix next year for early cash flow so infrastructure is a must to streamline the washing/packing/storing. I'm going to practice with lettuce/salad mix this fall/winter and if things go well I'm going to buy the greens harvester (dam thing is so cool I want one badly) and a old washer for spinning. Baby steps. Not having weeds this year has been a game changer. I have free time & can manage my garden so much better that I need more to manage at this point.

[clkeiper]

we built the wic. I have a small barn next to the driveway that I use as a roadside stand. we partitioned off a section that we insulated with sprayon foam (we also have two commercial refrigerators). we have been doing this for 8 years now and finally are to the point of "its a necessity". just found an old two basin SS sink from someone who used to do a 26x96 of greens for a market all winter long... whoo whee! he said he did 800.00 of lettuce a week out of it... that is a lot of lettuce, but he is done now and selling off his equipment..I have an old honey extractor I am going to use to spin salad... if it works out, I have no idea, it is just an idea as it is sitting unused in the shed. thought I would try to line the cage with mesh and dump in the lettuce and spin it out. think it will work? I am not interested in another mechanical device. I am not that mechanically inclined nor do I have time to fix things that break.

[BigVanVader]

Idk, definitely be worth trying. If your gonna do salad mix I think the easiest way is an old washer. Put lettuce in laundry bags and set to spin cycle.

[FarmerShawn]

I built a Coolbot cooler in a shed last year, and my life changed dramatically! I used a fridge before, but the cooler is so much easier and more spacious. I did find it necessary to keep most of my stuff in closed plastic containers, because the cool air is very dry, and can wilt things quickly.

[Salsacharley]

It seems that the cost of running refrigeration would really challenge the break even point of selling unless you have really big volume sales.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

It seems that the cost of running refrigeration would really challenge the break even point of selling unless you have really big volume sales.

Depends on how well insulated the container is and how often you go in and out of it.
I just drilled into a commercial freezer and refrigerator for temperature probes.
The insulation was over 4 inches thick.

Not for sure how the coolbot works but it looks like they are just changing the temperature span of an air conditioner thermostat control.????
This can be easily done for way less money if that is the case.
Worth

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Depends on how well insulated the container is and how often you go in and out of it.
I just drilled into a commercial freezer and refrigerator for temperature probes.
The insulation was over 4 inches thick.

Not for sure how the coolbot works but it looks like they are just changing the temperature span of an air conditioner thermostat control.????
This can be easily done for way less money if that is the case.
Worth

Worth the cool bot uses a unit to override the airconditioners sensor. it keeps the unit running and cooling at the temp you set it at. mine is at 42 and the remote sensors I have in the house read 42 and 39...since it seems pretty consistent I can remove my greenhouse sensors from the cooler and put them back in the greenhouses. we built a walk in cooler in our shed and paid Money and Moses to come spray on insulation. I think we have about 1000.00 in it.