Free Temperature Check Templates for Restaurants | Daily Logs & Charts

Running a food business means juggling countless tasks, and temperature checks often become a time-consuming burden. We’ve created this comprehensive collection of free temperature check templates to help you maintain compliance without the hassle.

Whether you’re a small cafe doing basic fridge checks or a busy restaurant monitoring multiple pieces of equipment, these templates will streamline your food safety processes and keep the EHO happy.

Why Proper Temperature Check Templates Matter

Before diving into the templates, let’s be clear about why getting this right matters:

Legal Compliance: UK law requires documented temperature records
EHO Inspections: Inspectors expect to see 3 months of records minimum
Food Safety: Proper monitoring prevents foodborne illness
Cost Savings: Catch equipment problems before losing stock
Peace of Mind: Sleep better knowing you’re covered

Template #1: Basic Daily Temperature Check Log

Perfect for small cafes and takeaways with limited equipment.

AM/PM Temperature Check Sheet

DAILY TEMPERATURE CHECK LOG
Date: ___________  Day: ___________
MORNING CHECKS (Time: _____)

□ Fridge 1: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)

□ Fridge 2: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)

□ Freezer: _____°C (Target: -18°C or below)

□ Display: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)
Checked by: _________ Signature: _________
AFTERNOON CHECKS (Time: _____)

□ Fridge 1: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)

□ Fridge 2: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)

□ Freezer: _____°C (Target: -18°C or below)

□ Display: _____°C (Target: 1-5°C)
Checked by: _________ Signature: _________
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS (if any):


Action taken by: _______ Time: _______

How to Use This Template:

Print 31 copies at the start of each month
Place in a folder near your fridges
Set phone alarms for check times
File completed sheets for 3 months minimum

Template #2: Comprehensive Restaurant Temperature Log

For restaurants with multiple refrigeration units and hot holding equipment.

Multi-Unit Temperature Monitoring Sheet

COMPREHENSIVE TEMPERATURE LOG
Location: _____________ Date: _____________
COLD STORAGE CHECKS

Time: _____ Checked by: _____
Walk-in Fridge:      _____°C (1-5°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Prep Fridge 1:       _____°C (1-5°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Prep Fridge 2:       _____°C (1-5°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Salad Station:       _____°C (1-5°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Dessert Fridge:      _____°C (1-5°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Walk-in Freezer:     _____°C (-18°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Chest Freezer:       _____°C (-18°C) □ Pass □ Fail

Ice Cream Freezer:   _____°C (-18°C) □ Pass □ Fail
HOT HOLDING CHECKS

Time: _____ Checked by: _____
Hot Cabinet 1:       _____°C (63°C+) □ Pass □ Fail

Hot Cabinet 2:       _____°C (63°C+) □ Pass □ Fail

Bain Marie:          _____°C (63°C+) □ Pass □ Fail

Soup Kettle:         _____°C (63°C+) □ Pass □ Fail
DELIVERY CHECKS

Time: _____ Supplier: _____ Checked by: _____
Chilled Goods:       _____°C (0-5°C) □ Accept □ Reject

Frozen Goods:        _____°C (-18°C) □ Accept □ Reject
Notes: _________________________________

Template #3: Weekly Temperature Trend Tracker

Spot patterns and prevent equipment failures before they happen.

Weekly Analysis Chart

WEEKLY TEMPERATURE TREND ANALYSIS Week Beginning: ___________ Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun FRIDGE 1 (AM) Target: 1-5°C Actual: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ✓/✗: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ FRIDGE 1 (PM) Actual: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ✓/✗: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ FREEZER (AM) Target: -18°C Actual: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ✓/✗: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ISSUES THIS WEEK: □ None □ Equipment problems (detail below) □ Staff training needed □ Maintenance required

Details: _______________________________ Manager Review: _______ Date: _______

Template #4: Corrective Action Record

Essential for demonstrating due diligence during inspections.

Temperature Failure Response Form

CORRECTIVE ACTION RECORD TEMPERATURE EXCURSION REPORT Date: _______ Time Discovered: _______ EQUIPMENT DETAILS Unit: _________________ Location: _________________ Normal Range: _________ Actual Reading: _________ IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TAKEN □ Checked door seals □ Reduced stock load □ Transferred products to: _________________ □ Called engineer (Reference #: _________) □ Disposed of affected products PRODUCTS AFFECTED Product: __________ Quantity: _____ Action: _____ Product: __________ Quantity: _____ Action: _____ Product: __________ Quantity: _____ Action: _____ ROOT CAUSE □ Door left open □ Equipment failure □ Power outage □ Overloading □ Other: _________________ PREVENTION MEASURES

Reported by: _______ Signature: _______ Reviewed by: _______ Date: _______

Template #5: Monthly Temperature Certificate

Show inspectors your commitment to food safety at a glance.

Monthly Compliance Summary

MONTHLY TEMPERATURE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE Month: _________ Year: _______ COMPLIANCE SUMMARY Total Checks Required: _______ Total Checks Completed: _______ Compliance Rate: _______% EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE In Range Out Range Actions Fridge 1: _____ _____ _____ Fridge 2: _____ _____ _____ Freezer 1: _____ _____ _____ Hot Hold: _____ _____ _____ CRITICAL INCIDENTS Date: _____ Issue: __________ Resolution: __________ Date: _____ Issue: __________ Resolution: __________ STAFF TEMPERATURE CHECK COMPLIANCE Staff Member Checks Required Completed % DECLARATION I confirm all temperature records are accurate and corrective actions were taken where required.

Manager: _____________ Signature: _____________ Date: _____________

Template #6: Opening & Closing Checklist with Temperatures

Combine temperature checks with other critical tasks.

Integrated Daily Operations Log

OPENING CHECKLIST WITH TEMPERATURES Date: _______ Opening Staff: _______ □ Lights and equipment turned on □ Hand washing completed TEMPERATURE CHECKS (Record actual temperatures) □ Main Fridge: _____°C (1-5°C) □ Prep Fridge: _____°C (1-5°C) □ Freezer: _____°C (-18°C) □ Display Unit: _____°C (1-5°C) □ All temperatures within range □ Corrective action taken (detail: ________) □ Check dates on prepped items □ Set up hot holding (target 63°C+) □ Sanitizer buckets prepared Opening Time: _____ Signature: _____ CLOSING CHECKLIST WITH TEMPERATURES Closing Staff: _______ FINAL TEMPERATURE CHECKS □ Main Fridge: _____°C (1-5°C) □ Prep Fridge: _____°C (1-5°C) □ Freezer: _____°C (-18°C) □ All items properly stored □ Equipment cleaned and sanitized □ Waste disposed properly □ Alarms set

Closing Time: _____ Signature: _____

How to Choose the Right Template for Your Business

Small Cafe or Takeaway (1-3 fridges)

Use Template #1 (Basic Daily Log)
Print monthly batches
Keep in a simple folder

Restaurant (Multiple units)

Use Template #2 (Comprehensive Log)
Consider Template #5 for monthly summaries
Implement Template #4 for incidents

High-Risk Operations (Care homes, hospitals)

Use all templates
Add additional checks for cooking/cooling
Consider digital solutions for audit trails

Best Practices for Using Temperature Check Templates

1. Make Them Accessible

Laminate frequently used templates
Keep pens attached with string
Place at eye level near equipment

2. Set Clear Responsibilities

Assign specific staff to checks
Create a backup schedule
Post the schedule publicly

3. Train Your Team

Show how to read thermometers correctly
Explain target temperatures
Practice completing forms
Review corrective actions

4. Regular Reviews

Manager checks daily completion
Weekly trend analysis
Monthly compliance review
Quarterly training refresh

Common Mistakes When Using Paper Templates

Mistake 1: Pencil Instead of Pen

Problem: Can be erased/altered
Solution: Always use permanent ink

Mistake 2: Batch Filling

Problem: Completing multiple days at once
Solution: Real-time recording only

Mistake 3: Perfect Readings

Problem: Never showing variations
Solution: Record actual readings, even if slightly off

Mistake 4: Missing Signatures

Problem: No accountability
Solution: No signature = not done

Mistake 5: Lost Records

Problem: Can’t prove compliance
Solution: Backup copies or photos

Digital Alternative: Why Consider Switching?

While these templates are free and effective, consider these digital advantages:

Time Savings

Paper: 30-45 minutes daily
Digital: 5-10 minutes daily
Annual saving: 150+ hours

Compliance Benefits

Automatic reminders
Can’t skip or falsify
Instant EHO reports
Trend analysis included

Cost Comparison

Paper: £500+ annually (printing, storage, time)
Digital: From £9/month
ROI: Usually within 2 months

Customising Templates for Special Requirements

For Butchers

Add sections for:

Aging room temperatures
Display counter checks (every 2 hours)
Delivery meat temperatures

For Bakeries

Include:

Proving cabinet temperatures
Cooling rack monitoring
Display case humidity

For Meal Prep Services

Add:

Blast chiller records
Portion cooling times
Transport temperatures

Template Storage and Organisation Tips

Physical Filing System

Temperature Records 2025/
├── January/
│   ├── Daily Logs/
│   ├── Corrective Actions/
│   └── Monthly Summary
├── February/
│   └── [Same structure]

Digital Backup

Photograph completed sheets weekly
Store in cloud folders
Name files: YYYY-MM-DD-Location
Keep for 12 months minimum

What EHO Inspectors Want to See

Green Flags (Good Practice)

✓ Complete records with no gaps
✓ Realistic temperature variations
✓ Clear corrective actions
✓ Multiple staff signatures
✓ Evidence of management review

Red Flags (Problems)

✗ Identical readings daily
✗ Missing days or times
✗ No corrective actions ever
✗ Illegible writing
✗ Templates not filled completely

Troubleshooting Guide for Temperature Issues

Fridge Running Warm (6-8°C)

Immediate Actions:

Check door seals
Reduce stock load
Check fan operation
Call engineer if persists

Documentation:

Use Template #4 (Corrective Action)
Note all products affected
Record time back in range

Freezer Failure (Above -15°C)

Critical Response:

DO NOT open unnecessarily
Call engineer immediately
Prepare backup freezer
Monitor product condition

Documentation:

Complete incident report
List all products checked
Document disposal if required

Beyond Templates: Building a Temperature Check Culture

Making It Routine

Morning Ritual: First task after hand washing
Afternoon Habit: After lunch rush
Closing Essential: Before leaving

Staff Engagement

Explain why it matters
Share inspection success stories
Recognise good compliance
Make it competitive (best compliance awards)

Continuous Improvement

Monthly team reviews
Identify problem patterns
Upgrade equipment if needed
Consider automation options

Free Download Package Contents

When you download our temperature check template package, you’ll receive:

All 6 templates in PDF format
Excel versions for customisation
Training guide for staff
EHO inspection checklist
Temperature reference chart
Troubleshooting flowchart

Taking the Next Step

These templates will get you compliant, but consider these upgrades:

Level 1: Basic Compliance (You are here)

Paper templates
Manual checks
File storage

Level 2: Enhanced System

Colour-coded forms
Thermometer stations
Digital photos of records

Level 3: Digital Transformation

Mobile app recording
Automatic alerts
Cloud storage
Instant reporting

Conclusion

Temperature checks don’t have to be complicated. With these free templates, you can maintain compliance, protect your customers, and pass inspections with confidence. Start with the basic template, build good habits, and upgrade as your business grows.

Remember: The best temperature check system is the one your team will actually use. Make it simple, make it routine, and make it count.

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