Storing chocolate: Lowest Temp. Allowed?

[ThankYouComeAgain]

If I store my chocolate in an un-insulated garage, on a shelf, can there be any negative effects to the candy bars if temperatures get down to the 20s (Ferenheit).  What about, say, -10 degrees?  Thanks.

[Big Mike]

You dont want to let chocolate freeze or melt. We keep our storage room between 50-75 year around.

Mike

[mission vending]

Have you ever opened a candy bar and it was discolored and looked like it was 10 years old? Its not usually because of age its because it was exposed to high or low temps.

Chocolate does not do well below 40 and above 80. You won't see the effect right away but over several weeks after being exposed to temps outside the ideal range it will begin to discolor and turn white and get the old look to it.

[brendamca]

I was just wondering about this today. I want to keep inventory in my garage, but I'm worried about temperature extremes (especially heat). What kind of equipment should I use for storing candy bars?

[mission vending]

In the garage or in the truck I use 120 quart ice chest from Sam`s. To keep it cool I have a dozen or so 1 liter water bottles t at I keep frozen and when I head out each morning I put 3 or 4 in the ice chest. The thawed ones from thwe day before get thrown back in the freezer.

[eagle90301]

I am a smaller vendor and I keep all product in my basement year round. I keep enough Chocolate in the side of my machine to last a week or so, that way i do not have to transport it every day. Be careful about storage in your garage if there is any chances of animals getting in. I had to throw out about 100pieces a couple of months ago because they got opened by animals. I now use solid bins with lids the animals can't get into

[brendamca]

I am a smaller vendor and I keep all product in my basement year round.

How I wish I had a basement! They're pretty rare here in Southern California.

Be careful about storage in your garage if there is any chances of animals getting in. I had to throw out about 100pieces a couple of months ago because they got opened by animals. I now use solid bins with lids the animals can't get into

Thanks for the advice. I hope lizards don't like chocolate -- there's one in my garage that's been getting fat off all the crickets!  LOL. My biggest problem in that regard will be my kids.

[mission vending]

Been there. Done that. With the kid situation. It helps to let em have one once in a while after chores are done.

[coinvestor]

Been there. Done that. With the kid situation. It helps to let em have one once in a while after chores are done.

Same here! Expired or melted of course

[mission vending]

Having a kid or two loose in the garage can be more devastating to inventory than a rat problem. LOL

[NinnJinn]

Just do what I do!  Get rid of old product plus get your money back that you gave your kids for an allowance...

[razorok]

In the garage or in the truck I use 120 quart ice chest from Sam`s. To keep it cool I have a dozen or so 1 liter water bottles t at I keep frozen and when I head out each morning I put 3 or 4 in the ice chest. The thawed ones from thwe day before get thrown back in the freezer.

Hi, mission vending. This is also what I plan to do with my chocolates kept in the garage but I was wondering whether there will be problems caused by the moisture as the frozen water bottles melt? Do you line something like a plastic sheet on top of or below the bottles to keep the moisture from coming in contact with chocolates, or is this not necessary?

[mission vending]

Since all the choc wrappers are plastic, except for M&M, you don`t really need to worry about moisture damage unless a bottle breaks and all the water leaks out. The cardboard boxes the candy comes in will generally soak up the moisture. You`ve just got to make sure the damp cardboard gets removed with a day or two or else it will start to mildew and the smell can be absorbed by the choc making it taste funny.

[razorok]

Thanks for that info, mission vending. I'll be sure to throw out the damp boxes.

[coinvestor]

I have found that any solution that required a task that was not part of my normal working day (doing it first, or last thing) would eventually be forgot. No matter how big or small you are you need to be able to forget about vending for some amount of time. You don't want to be out with the family on the weekend trying to remember "was that today I changed the ice in the cooler, or was that yesterday". I know that swapping ice in a cooler every two - three days seems insignificant, but for me these little things can make the business seem overwhelming, or as if I never clock out.

FYI........ I went to type this response yesterday and halfway through I remembered I had left the cooler on the truck packed with frozen food I had forgotten about. It was rescued in time

[mission vending]

I have found that any solution that required a task that was not part of my normal working day (doing it first, or last thing) would eventually be forgot. No matter how big or small you are you need to be able to forget about vending for some amount of time. You don't want to be out with the family on the weekend trying to remember "was that today I changed the ice in the cooler, or was that yesterday". I know that swapping ice in a cooler every two - three days seems insignificant, but for me these little things can make the business seem overwhelming, or as if I never clock out.

FYI........ I went to type this response yesterday and halfway through I remembered I had left the cooler on the truck packed with frozen food I had forgotten about. It was rescued in time

Agreed that it can be a hassle sometimes. On the weekends I will either load up the ice chest with a few extra bottles of pull the ice chest into the house.