My in-laws gave us a fridge which I just put back together and set up in our basement. We plan to leave it on all the time for overflow and extra freezer storage etc.

I’d like to be able to monitor the temps in the fridge and freezer as one of my fears is that it stops working and a freezer full of venison and other meats is ruined. I could just go check it each day in person but it would be nice to have some sort of thermometer upstairs or even on my phone that I could use. Do they even make such a thing? I’d imagine someone must have a product that would do what I’m looking to do?

We use this one. (New Version) AMIR Refrigerator Thermometer, Wireless Indoor Outdoor Thermometer, Sensor Temperature Monitor with Audible Alarm Temperature Gauge for Freezer Kitchen Home (Battery not Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B...50T9R3R63W75DS7CJJKV

A great question, PASig, and thank you JohnCourage for pointing out that AMIR gadget.

I've been working off and on for a while on a system to monitor freezer temperatures and offer an alert. I haven't gotten it right yet, and it's way more complex than it needs to be right now. (I'm not a microelectronics guy.)

If you're a tinkerer, there's a device called IP AutoDialer that you can set to call and email you if things go wrong, based on a simple input to the gadget.

That, of course, points to the idea that your electricity and internet service must be functional in order to get the alert. In a power outage that takes out the freezers while you're away all weekend, that's less than ideal.

I'll be watching this thread to see what other devices get mentioned.

I have this.
Does a pretty good job keeping me informed of the status of our garage fridge and freezer. Nice that it connects to my smartphone via wifi, so I can keep tabs on even when not home. Saved my bacon (literally) when one of the kids mis-packed the freezer causing the door to pop open last month.

Simple stupid method. Put a couple of cubes of ice in a plastic recepticle (bowl, cup, ect).

Observe it as you access the freezer. If it is refrozen into a disk - you've lost power for a considerable period and stuff is at risk.

If its liquid - then your screwed. That will likely be accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

This was my grandmothers way of monitoring her chest freezer in the detached garage W..AAAAA....YYYYY before modern electronics or conveniences.

Andrew

I get the impression he'd like to know before things got that far

This is the first thing I came across when I was looking for a similar situation.


https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird...ometer/dp/B0773M6S95

HTH

I have used SensorPush for this for a couple of years. Little $50 Bluetooth sensors with a replaceable battery that lasts a year. It stores up to two weeks of data and dumps it automatically to your phone any time you are in range.

For true remote reporting there is a $100 WiFi gateway that talks to the little sensors (multiple ones if you have them) and reports over the internet.

The system supports alerts for temperatures getting outside a user-set range.

I have been very pleased with the system. The phone app is well designed and lets you view past data with a quick, intuitive interface.

We use TrmpSticks at work. They connect to wifi

I use the Govee in both my gun safes to monitor humidity and temperature. Work great with long battery life - would work in a refrigerator