A critical challenge in food rescue is storing perishables during distribution. This thread is to discuss solutions like redirecting fridges from landfill, building CoolBot walk in coolers for ~$1200, and other ideas.
i have experience building out, maintaining and operating coolbots and believe they are a realistic tool for community based food security and sovernity.
i am interested i their creation amd programming as a too to develop individual self relience and community intersependence with a resiliency context.
Another option: collectively renting a refrigerated container that could be shared among multiple groups without adequate space. Having a church or school host the container in a parking lot would be necessary of course but can also be used as a physically distant site for receiving deliveries, packing, and distributing.
I've had no success with this but it's been a discussion in Kensington.
Hello everyone, My name is Alexis, and I co-founded Universe City, an Aquaponic farm and Food Hub. We recently got a 40' shipping container donated to us to use for our food distribution of over 2000 boxes a week. But this is only a lease, and we are looking for more permanent solutions. We have identified two spaces within our building that we would like to convert to Refrigerated space and would love to engage in community solutions. We are a DIY space and have a woodshop in house, but support around labor is also welcomed! One of the things we seeking support around the insulation of the rooms/ reconstruction. We also have questions about the Coolbot's is its stability over long periods of time & its ability to be approved by NYC DOH.
Hi All! My name is Kim Calichio and I work with Lifeline Grocery. I'm new to this thread, but wanted to add that we've been working on this for our initiative as well. We have gained access to a donated space in LIC where we can install shipping containers and do a fridge conversation. We're up for making it a shared space and would love to be involved in a conversation about making this a viable resource.
Advice from folks at Brooklyn Grange on how to convert Shipping Containers to Coolbot Walk-in Fridges:
===From Ben===
my buddies who run a metal shop did the cuts for us to cut out the 4 windows plus the hole the for the AC. I just shot Isaac a note to ask what type of cutter he used and he said either a torch, plasma cutter, or "cut-off" wheel on a grinder would do it.
Then Gwen installed the wall to reduce the size, and insulated. Gwen can hopefully recall the type of insulation. I think it's just 1/2" or 5/8" plywood around the walls and then insulation tucked in between the container wall and plywood walls.
Then install the AC, insulate around the perimeter of the AC (make sure to tip it OUT and DOWN a little), and voila!
One more thing - the coolbot website has tons of important info on insulating, etc. the most important variable in insulating is that zero air is exchanged through cracks, etc. One way to check is to do inside of it in the dark, and see if you can see any7 light coming through ;)
converting a container is pretty straightforward once you have the materials: 2x4s, plywood, foam insulation, fiberglass insulation, waterproof paneling, foam gap filler, adhesives, A/C + coolbot; and the initial infrastructure: ostensibly framing out a box within a box. another important tip is planning ahead to spread out the build (labor) over a couple of days once you get to the point of insulation - allowing adhesives to do their thing for walls/ceiling.
for the one I built out in Brownsville, I was able to make the A/C cut out with an angle grinder without issue. no welding needed unless doing some sort of elaborate metal framing. everything else was done with impact drivers and circular saw.
quick start to finish run down:
- lumber frame anchored directly to container: evenly spaced studs for walls and ceiling, door frame, A/C window, plywood floor
- fiberglass insulation packed between studs. stapled twine in a zig zag pattern from stud to stud to keep in place where needed
- first of two layers of pink foam insulation anchored to frame to build out internal box, swapping orientation for second layer.
- fill gaps with 'great stuff' spray foam. cover seams with insulation tape.
- second layer of insulation applied with adhesive, lumber used to prop in place / apply pressure overnight.
- used pebbled white plastic wall paneling for internal layer, different options avail. applied with adhesive, propped with lumber
- built out a heavy duty door with plywood and foam insulation, foam and rubber for gaps. many folks just buy a door.
- install A/C, run power cords, fill gaps with spray foam.
happy to answer any additional questions. it's a fun project!
MP
===From Gwen===
Yeah couple small notes to add:
- we had the windows/AC holes cut for us by a welder friend with a torch, which is easier than the grinder, but if you're only cutting 1 hole the grinder should be fine
- you can get pre-fab windows/doors at lowes or HD that are insulated and framed out, and just pop them into place. If the whole thing is refrigerated, you might consider using a large fridge door instead so it's insulated and seals up when it closes
- the interior lining can be plywood and then you paint it with a high-gloss paint (if you can't do the fiberglass paneling for some reason) - the plywood also enables you to use flexible batting as insulation if you want to use a greener product (mineral wool!), and build in shelves and whatnot more easily down the road...
Just saw your messages on Substack. Apologies for the slow reply, I think I need to see if there are notification settings. I'll follow up with you all on email too.
Alexis, I believe that coolbot would be alright for DOH but will double check. It's definitely okay for USDA... but standards aren't always applicable between departments. I also believe that the technology is fairly stable long-term because it wouldn't be cost effective otherwise. Ian, could you speak to that?
I'm sending an email to the coolbot support team (our facilities manager at Brooklyn Grange says they're helpful) tomorrow night including the questions from Alexis and Corey. Feel free to edit / comment.
i have experience building out, maintaining and operating coolbots and believe they are a realistic tool for community based food security and sovernity.
i am interested i their creation amd programming as a too to develop individual self relience and community intersependence with a resiliency context.
where is this conversation currently at?
So necessary!
Another option: collectively renting a refrigerated container that could be shared among multiple groups without adequate space. Having a church or school host the container in a parking lot would be necessary of course but can also be used as a physically distant site for receiving deliveries, packing, and distributing.
I've had no success with this but it's been a discussion in Kensington.
Hello everyone, My name is Alexis, and I co-founded Universe City, an Aquaponic farm and Food Hub. We recently got a 40' shipping container donated to us to use for our food distribution of over 2000 boxes a week. But this is only a lease, and we are looking for more permanent solutions. We have identified two spaces within our building that we would like to convert to Refrigerated space and would love to engage in community solutions. We are a DIY space and have a woodshop in house, but support around labor is also welcomed! One of the things we seeking support around the insulation of the rooms/ reconstruction. We also have questions about the Coolbot's is its stability over long periods of time & its ability to be approved by NYC DOH.
Hi All! My name is Kim Calichio and I work with Lifeline Grocery. I'm new to this thread, but wanted to add that we've been working on this for our initiative as well. We have gained access to a donated space in LIC where we can install shipping containers and do a fridge conversation. We're up for making it a shared space and would love to be involved in a conversation about making this a viable resource.
Updates from Kim (Lifeline Grocery) and Dan (Mott Haven Fridge). Go to 12/13/20: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OYnt_F22X6gcYQGVE7G8O-iRadUyLG5lq-h-7f3DCNQ/edit?usp=sharing
Advice from folks at Brooklyn Grange on how to convert Shipping Containers to Coolbot Walk-in Fridges:
===From Ben===
my buddies who run a metal shop did the cuts for us to cut out the 4 windows plus the hole the for the AC. I just shot Isaac a note to ask what type of cutter he used and he said either a torch, plasma cutter, or "cut-off" wheel on a grinder would do it.
Then Gwen installed the wall to reduce the size, and insulated. Gwen can hopefully recall the type of insulation. I think it's just 1/2" or 5/8" plywood around the walls and then insulation tucked in between the container wall and plywood walls.
Then install the AC, insulate around the perimeter of the AC (make sure to tip it OUT and DOWN a little), and voila!
One more thing - the coolbot website has tons of important info on insulating, etc. the most important variable in insulating is that zero air is exchanged through cracks, etc. One way to check is to do inside of it in the dark, and see if you can see any7 light coming through ;)
Also this page is critical to calculating the strength of the AC to work with the volume of the space: https://www.storeitcold.com/build-it/ac-calculator/
Ben
===From Manny===
converting a container is pretty straightforward once you have the materials: 2x4s, plywood, foam insulation, fiberglass insulation, waterproof paneling, foam gap filler, adhesives, A/C + coolbot; and the initial infrastructure: ostensibly framing out a box within a box. another important tip is planning ahead to spread out the build (labor) over a couple of days once you get to the point of insulation - allowing adhesives to do their thing for walls/ceiling.
for the one I built out in Brownsville, I was able to make the A/C cut out with an angle grinder without issue. no welding needed unless doing some sort of elaborate metal framing. everything else was done with impact drivers and circular saw.
quick start to finish run down:
- lumber frame anchored directly to container: evenly spaced studs for walls and ceiling, door frame, A/C window, plywood floor
- fiberglass insulation packed between studs. stapled twine in a zig zag pattern from stud to stud to keep in place where needed
- first of two layers of pink foam insulation anchored to frame to build out internal box, swapping orientation for second layer.
- fill gaps with 'great stuff' spray foam. cover seams with insulation tape.
- second layer of insulation applied with adhesive, lumber used to prop in place / apply pressure overnight.
- used pebbled white plastic wall paneling for internal layer, different options avail. applied with adhesive, propped with lumber
- built out a heavy duty door with plywood and foam insulation, foam and rubber for gaps. many folks just buy a door.
- install A/C, run power cords, fill gaps with spray foam.
happy to answer any additional questions. it's a fun project!
MP
===From Gwen===
Yeah couple small notes to add:
- we had the windows/AC holes cut for us by a welder friend with a torch, which is easier than the grinder, but if you're only cutting 1 hole the grinder should be fine
- you can get pre-fab windows/doors at lowes or HD that are insulated and framed out, and just pop them into place. If the whole thing is refrigerated, you might consider using a large fridge door instead so it's insulated and seals up when it closes
- the interior lining can be plywood and then you paint it with a high-gloss paint (if you can't do the fiberglass paneling for some reason) - the plywood also enables you to use flexible batting as insulation if you want to use a greener product (mineral wool!), and build in shelves and whatnot more easily down the road...
Just saw your messages on Substack. Apologies for the slow reply, I think I need to see if there are notification settings. I'll follow up with you all on email too.
Alexis, I believe that coolbot would be alright for DOH but will double check. It's definitely okay for USDA... but standards aren't always applicable between departments. I also believe that the technology is fairly stable long-term because it wouldn't be cost effective otherwise. Ian, could you speak to that?
I'm sending an email to the coolbot support team (our facilities manager at Brooklyn Grange says they're helpful) tomorrow night including the questions from Alexis and Corey. Feel free to edit / comment.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1guoLBMtIhwHA4ZcvlniMOSBwUItg3qiorREOahUZc4E/edit?usp=sharing