Freezer Thermometer with WIFI/App Capability?

[Michael_in_TX]

Hey all,

I really am looking at getting one of these 7 cu ft or so chest freezers to complement my existing freezer's capacity, which is relatively small (given it is half of a side-by-side refrigerator).

I might be able to get away with putting the chest freezer inside, but I may have to put it in the garage. My indoor GFCI outlets are very stable, but the one that protects the circuit in the garage also powers the outdoor outlets. These were very prone to tripping during a rainstorm, so last year I replaced them and sealed them well. Having this GCFI outlet trip is rare now, but it still does happen. If I have a freezer with $$$-potential of meat in there, I want to know if it trips or if the freezer develops a problem.

With the freezer in the garage, I don't think an audio-only alarm is sufficient. I'd need something with WIFI and an accompanying app.

I'm kinda looking around for one.....is anyone here using such a thing?

[STEbbq]

Just stick the receiver on your kitchen fridge and you are golden. No need to be super fancy IMO. We have had ours for nearly 2 years and it has been great.

AcuRite 00515M Refrigerator... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XD68GX6...p_mob_ap_share

[Michael_in_TX]

I have had that exact model on my wishlist for quite sometime. I think I may pick it up just for my normal refrigerator at least. (My refrigerator does have temperature readouts, but there is no alarm, and they do not display unless the door is opened. So this unit would give me an advance warning of a coolest leak at least.)

[DaveD]

I have the Temp Stick, which is outstanding. Keeps a log of temperature and relative humidity, which you can view via both smartphone app and desktop website. Highly configurable, sends alerts to unlimited addresses. Here's a screen from my unit in the chestie in my garage. Link below image.

Edit: I have no idea why, but this screengrab did not come close to rendering what it actually looks like. The real thing has nicely shaded areas, much sharper resolution, better colors etc. Sorry about that! But the MO is to go offline on regular intervals to save battery power, although data are still collected while offline. The different colored zones correspond to when it was on or offline. It works great -- no loss of data, and the battery is still at 94% after four months.

https://tempstick.com/

[Michael_in_TX]

I saw the TempStick stuff last night. That things looks solid, but it is almost as expensive as the freezer itself. Still, if I am serious about this.....

[CaptainMike]

After losing a freezer full of meat last year I went with the Temp Stick as well. I works very well.

[DaveD]

Definitely cheaper than all the meat that's in our chestie! Money well spent from my perspective.

[Waiting for the Worms]

I would change out the single gang box that has the GFCI in it to a 2 gang box and add a regular outlet for the freezer.

[CaptainMike]

I was thinking the same thing.

[MBMorgan]

You might think about spending a few extra bucks and have a dedicated non-GFCI circuit installed for the freezer.

[WillTravelForFood]

Electric cod in your area may require ALL garage outlets be on a GFCI outlet. Please check with your local electrician to verify options.

[Waiting for the Worms]

Would you recommend smoking or frying electric cod?

[Michael_in_TX]

Electric cod in your area may require ALL garage outlets be on a GFCI outlet. Please check with your local electrician to verify options.

And that is indeed my case. My local code requires any garage and exterior outlets to be GFCI.

I might be able to get away with putting this inside. We have a breakfast nook that is underutilized. Its outlets are on the kitchen circuit, also GFCI, but only trip when I test them yearly. Hmm....but that might put my chest freezer and my existing refrigerator on the same circuit. I need to see how close that gets me to 15A.

[Draznnl]

Do you have a garbage disposal on that circuit also? You don't want the circuit to trip every time someone tries to get rid of some crumbs.

[bbqLuv]

You will just fill it up. It is like a fishing tackle box, the bigger the box the more tackle I need to buy to fill it up.

[Ghawtho]

Michael_in_TX
I read your post from March of 2022
I have GFCI in my garage too that also protects GFCI receptacles outside as well. I’ve thought about pulling out the GFCI in the garage and install standard receptacles and leave the outside GFCI in place. In my opinion the GFCI in MY garage is not considered a wet location
which is no difference than wet carpet in my living room floor with 15 amp standard receptacles in my living room. You could possibly try fishing another 15amp dedicated circuit down behind your freezer and install another 15 breaker just for your freezer.
If my GFCI’s in my garage ever start tripping my freezer am pulling them OUT and install standard receptacles in the garage and leave the outside GFCI in place. You can bypass ALL those GFCI’s in your garage if you wanted but it does come with MAYBE some risks If you ever sold your house the GFCI would need to be reinstalled.

[Red Man]

This is the first I’ve heard of gfci requirements for a garage. I certainly don’t have them in my garage and I wouldn’t worry at all about that if I was selling my house. Maybe it’s a regional thing but I’ve never seen a gfci in a garage here.

[Michael_in_TX]

For my house it is simply that the circuit that drives the exterior outlets also does the garage, so the garage outlets are protected by that GFCI outlet.

I think I mentioned what I ended up doing in another thread, but I did end up getting a chest freezer, but it is indoors. It is plugged into a GFCI outlet (all of the outlets in the kitchen are served one of two GFCI circuits). I use Acu-Rite wireless thermometers to monitor it. The receiver is next to my bed so one of these day I may get quite the awakening!