12 replies to this topic

[clvending]

I am looking for ideas on how to keep candy and other products from melting in the summer heat. If you use coolers, what do you use for cooling. I am looking for something that does not require power.

I appreciate any feedback.

Lee
C&L Vending Services, LLC

[jblvending]

I am looking for ideas on how to keep candy and other products from melting in the summer heat. If you use coolers, what do you use for cooling. I am looking for something that does not require power.

I appreciate any feedback.

Lee
C&L Vending Services, LLC

We use icechest with ice packs, you can put ice packs in a freezer at night and then use it during the day.

[clvending]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think that is the way I am going to go!!

Lee

[BVI]

That's what I use as well, also for my cold food items. The ones I use are big, 5-day coolers I found at Sam's. They do an adequate job, but I don't think they would keep anything for 5 days. I use blue packs in the cold food cooler and usually, I don't have to put ice packs in the cooler that holds my chocolate, only if it is mid-90s or hotter.

[clvending]

How do you store your candy??? Or do you only buy when you service?

Thanks in advance,

Lee

[BVI]

How do you store your candy??? Or do you only buy when you service?

Thanks in advance,

Lee

I use one of my 5-day coolers. Unless it's a 90+ degree day, I can get by without having to use an ice pack to cool things down a bit as long as I keep it snapped shut. If it's a real hot day, I'll go ahead and put a couple of big, blue ice packs in there.

These coolers are big. I found mine at Sam's, I think for about $50 each.

[cmxoey]

I use one of my 5-day coolers. Unless it's a 90+ degree day, I can get by without having to use an ice pack to cool things down a bit as long as I keep it snapped shut. If it's a real hot day, I'll go ahead and put a couple of big, blue ice packs in there.

These coolers are big. I found mine at Sam's, I think for about $50 each.

I put a chest freezer in my truck and line it with techni ice... (look for it on ebay) and then I just plug in my freezer every night and it keeps every thing frozen... works great for cold food products as well...

[bcron]

I put a chest freezer in my truck and line it with techni ice... (look for it on ebay) and then I just plug in my freezer every night and it keeps every thing frozen... works great for cold food products as well...

Doesn't freezing the chocolate items cause them to get that white flaking, or residue, or whatever you want to call it on them when they thaw?

[BVI]

Doesn't freezing the chocolate items cause them to get that white flaking, or residue, or whatever you want to call it on them when they thaw?

I've only seen chocolate turn white if it gets too hot. The sugar rises to the top. I have some cold food (not frozen food) satellites out there that I use with my USI snack machines that range in temperatures 30 degrees to 38 degrees that have 2 candy bar selections... I usually keep Snickers and Milky Ways in these. These bars are obviously exposed to freezing temps and below freezing temps and I have never had a single complaint about chocolate turning white. I don't think it does, personally, but maybe I'm wrong. Again, I've only experienced this due to chocolcate being exposed to heat, not cold.

[metropolisvending]

i know u dont want power but they make a simple cooler that plugs into a cig lighter!

[midtenn]

My trucks have electric coolers on them that you plug in at night. They keep your food, milk, and perishables within temps all day long. In summer you can keep chocolate in there also.

[coinvestor]

My trucks have electric coolers on them that you plug in at night. They keep your food, milk, and perishables within temps all day long. In summer you can keep chocolate in there also.

What kind of coolers do you use? Do they only run when your parked, or while your on route?

Thanks

JD

[midtenn]

They come from equipment innovators in Ga. You plug in @ night and they build an ice bank up to use throughout the day. They work very good.

A cheaper alternative that does the same job is a upright freezer, but not a automatic defrost. You can buy a good used one for around $200.
Go to Walmart, get a $7 digital thermometer w/ remote sensing bulb and mount. Now you can monitor the temps throughout the day as you use it. Some of the smaller ones will even run off a 1500 watt power inverter.