Ice cream sandwich maker Ruby Jewel’s freezer upgrade makes ‘night and day’ difference

When your signature product depends upon super-premium ice cream, consistency is critical. Any change to the airs temperature level or wetness content can mess with quality of frozen deals with like the ice cream sandwiches that are Portland-based Ruby Jewels specialty.
Ruby Jewel reduces making use of stabilizers in its items, stated Steve Panos, the companys director of operations. That indicates the sandwiches need to remain perfectly frozen to keep ice crystals from forming. The result is a richer, creamier ice cream– however also more intricacy for Panos and his team.
” We have a really narrow temperature level window. Were trying to preserve in between -10 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit at all times,” he said. “We understand as quickly as we begin warming above that, the quality of our product begins to break down.”
In 2020, COVID-19 triggered the company to close its retail scoop shops and focus on getting its packaged treats on the shelves of grocery stores and corner store.
Ruby Jewel discovered an issue in the middle of its pandemic pivot.
Its biggest freezer wasnt operating as well as it could, causing ice to develop and refrigeration parts to burn out. In August of 2020 alone, the company spent $4,500 on freezer parts and repair work, Panos said.
The devices was about a decade old. Its analog manages depended on readings from a temperature level sensing unit at just one area in the cold space, which wasnt perfect for either the quality of Ruby Jewels item or the longevity of its devices.
Fortunately, an option was in sight.
Thanks to pandemic relief funds plus cash rewards from Energy Trust of Oregon, Panos had the ability to replace the freezers one-size-fits-all mechanical controls with a new system that operates on wise software and just activates as required.

Ruby Jewels Steve Panos can track the companys freezer efficiency through an online dashboard connected to the refrigeration systems smart controls.
Dealing With National Energy Conservers, Inc. (NECI), a relied on professional with Energy Trust of Oregon, Ruby Jewel installed the smart controls in late summertime, when the demands on its freezers were the highest.
NECI President Kim Elsey stated the brand-new system fills a similar function for Ruby Jewels freezers as a pacemaker does for a heart client. The controls keep refrigeration pumping equally throughout all the freezers and alert Panos group if theres a concern.
” To a certain extent, it sounded too great to be true,” Panos said of the upgrade. He credits Elsey for being patient and persistent in explaining the advantages of the new controls, and Energy Trust for verifying that the system would measure up to its pledge.
Elsey had actually seen the distinction wise systems produced his other customers in the region, consisting of fruit business Oregon Berry Packing Co. and ice maker Arctic Glacier. After assisting those business cut their energy usage and better preserve their refrigeration equipment, he was sure Ruby Jewel would see comparable results.
” The effectiveness of the upgrade wasnt almost energy cost savings,” he stated. “It was likewise about minimizing food putridity and having more foreseeable upkeep.”
The wise controls depend on sensing units positioned throughout the freezer space. They collect temperature readings and utilize software to regulate the system as required, making certain the fans and compressors dont work overtime.
” The real-time information through tracking permits us to make quick decisions about how to reach the very best possible result, which in this case is a steady temperature level using the least energy possible,” Panos stated.
Using a web-based app, Panos can also pull information from the system to examine how its performing with time– much better making the case for similar energy-saving projects moving forward. “Its just night and day the quantity of resources we need to put toward keeping the freezers,” he said.
Take this August compared to in 2015, when Ruby Jewel had those big repair work bills. With a couple of clicks, Panos validated that the large freezer had absolutely no upkeep costs in August 2021.
” Seeing is believing,” he stated. “Even at a time when business are reluctant to make the financial investment, now that Ive seen it, I would not question the benefit in the least.”
Find out more about how Energy Trust can assist upgrade your organizations commercial equipment at energytrust.org/for-business.

Ruby Jewel lessens the usage of stabilizers in its items, stated Steve Panos, the businesss director of operations. That indicates the sandwiches require to remain perfectly frozen to keep ice crystals from forming. The result is a richer, creamier ice cream– but also more complexity for Panos and his team.
” We have a truly narrow temperature level window. Were trying to preserve between -10 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit at all times,” he said.