Sometimes you want to transport tests and keep them refrigerated, without the overhead of a cooled vehicle storage unit. A simple cooler with ice bricks is a great, cost-effective solution for this.
However, it's crucial to protect the tests from freezing. Direct contact between the product boxes and frozen ice bricks can damage the agar gel inside the tests, potentially affecting the results. The goal is to maintain a stable, refrigerated temperature—not to freeze the product.
The Key Principle: Create a Protective Air Gap
The most effective way to protect the tests is to ensure they never touch frozen surfaces directly. A small gap of air or a layer of insulating material between the ice packs and the product boxes is all you need.
Think of it like putting an ice pack on your skin—you'd wrap it in a towel to prevent an ice burn. The same principle applies here. Air is a very effective insulator, and even a small gap can prevent the product from freezing.
✅ Recommended Packing Methods
Here are a few simple and effective ways to create this protective barrier. You can use whichever method works best with the materials you have available.
- Use Corrugated Cardboard Liners: Place a sheet of corrugated cardboard (at least 1 cm or about half an inch thick) on the bottom of the cooler. After placing the product boxes inside, add cardboard sheets to the sides and top where they might touch the ice bricks.
- Use Loose-Fill Packing Material: Add a layer of packing peanuts or even crumpled paper to the bottom of the shipping container. Place the product boxes on top, and fill in any gaps around the sides to prevent them from shifting and touching the ice.
- The "Box-in-a-Box" Method: Place the product kits inside a second, slightly larger cardboard box. This outer box creates an automatic air gap, protecting the kits inside. You can then place this double-boxed package into the cooler with the ice bricks.
The main takeaway is to be creative with available materials to ensure there is always a robust, protective barrier between the product and the ice.
✅ Always Verify Test Kit Performance Upon Arrival
We recommend checking the performance of the test kits as soon as they arrive—especially if there’s any concern about exposure to freezing or temperature fluctuations during shipping.
To do this, open the box and select one ampoule or a block of 16 tests. Run a test using a known negative milk sample—such as certified control milk or milk from an untreated animal.
To do this, open the box and select one ampoule or a block of 16 tests. Run a test using a known negative milk sample—such as certified control milk or milk from an untreated animal.
A valid negative result is indicated by the Control Time: the moment when the color of the known negative milk sample begins to shift towards yellow—not when it turns bright yellow, but when the change first becomes visible. Our article'' 🔗✅ Establishing Control Time - Delvotest - Help Center explains how to find the exact readign moment and why it is important.
Expected Control Times:
- Delvotest® T: 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes
- Delvotest® SP-NT: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours
If the test reaches this colour change within the expected time range, the kit is in good condition and ready for use.
💬 Got any questions? Need help? Contact us at support@delvotest.com