What Do Cooling Machine Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Cooling Machine Operators operate or tend equipment, such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze products, food, blood plasma, and chemicals. They also record temperatures, amounts of materials processed, or test results on report forms.

Other tasks include:

• Monitor pressure gauges, ammeters, flowmeters, thermometers, or products, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions, such as feed rate, product consistency, temperature, air pressure, and machine speed.
• Read dials and gauges on panel control boards to ascertain temperatures, alkalinities, and densities of mixtures, and turn valves to obtain specified mixtures.
• Measure or weigh specified amounts of ingredients or materials, and load them into tanks, vats, hoppers, or other equipment.
• Adjust machine or freezer speed and air intake to obtain desired consistency and amount of product.
• Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes.
• Weigh packages and adjust freezer air valves or switches on filler heads to obtain specified amounts of product in each container.

We asked Cooling Machine Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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On a daily basis, Cooling Machine Operators position molds on conveyors, and measure and adjust level of fill, using depth gauges. They start agitators to blend contents, or start beater, scraper, and expeller blades to mix contents with air and prevent sticking.

• Load and position wrapping paper, sticks, bags, or cartons into dispensing machines.
• Weigh packages and adjust freezer air valves or switches on filler heads to obtain specified amounts of product in each container.
• Adjust machine or freezer speed and air intake to obtain desired consistency and amount of product.
• Sample and test product characteristics such as specific gravity, acidity, and sugar content, using hydrometers, pH meters, or refractometers.
• Activate mechanical rakes to regulate flow of ice from storage bins to vats.

We asked some Cooling Machine Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Besides their typical day, Cooling Machine Operators also inspect and flush lines with solutions or steam, and spray equipment with sterilizing solutions. They may also correct machinery malfunctions by performing actions such as removing jams, and inform supervisors of malfunctions as necessary.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cooling Machine Operators Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes. They might also Insert forming fixtures, and start machines that cut frozen products into measured portions or specified shapes.

In addition, they Sample and test product characteristics such as specific gravity, acidity, and sugar content, using hydrometers, pH meters, or refractometers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Assemble equipment, and attach pipes, fittings, or valves, using hand tools.

To some Cooling Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Scrape, dislodge, or break excess frost, ice, or frozen product from equipment to prevent accumulation, using hands and hand tools.

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.