Refrigerators & Freezers: Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Buying
Freezers and refrigerators are an integral part of any laboratory that requires temperature controlled storage. Maintaining samples at an optimal temperature while in storage is vital for many lab professionals and this makes choosing the right freezer or fridge a crucial task.
Freezers and refrigerators are an integral part of any laboratory that requires temperature controlled storage. Maintaining samples at an optimal temperature while in storage is vital for many lab professionals and this makes choosing the right freezer or refrigerator a crucial task. While the average kitchen freezer operates at about -20°C, laboratory variants have a much wider range of options depending on the storage conditions needed
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Lab Refrigerator/Freezer
1. How is the product manufactured? Ask about the quality of the materials used and the product life expectation based on manufacturing testing.
2. What is the warranty? What does it include and for how long? Will anything void the warranty?
3. How green is the product? Ask the company to provide details on energy efficiency and have them relate it to your return on investment (e.g. In 4 years will you save enough money in energy costs to pay for your freezer/fridge)?
4. How much sample capacity are you getting for your space?
5. What are the optimal voltage/ wiring conditions for running the fridge/freezer? If the building is older, will low voltage or voltage fluctuations affect the performance of the freezer/fridge?
The temperature range (in degrees Celsius) of the lab freezers/fridges our readers currently use or plan to purchase:
0° to -20°C | 26% |
-20° to -30°C | 16% |
-30° to -45°C | 5% |
-45° to -85°C | 40% |
Colder than -85°C | 7% |
Other | 5% |
Types of freezers our readers are currently using or planning to purchase for their labs:
Currently Using | Planning to Purchase | |
Blood bank and plasma | 94% | 6% |
Explosion-proof | 94% | 6% |
Flammable materials storage | 89% | 11% |
Upright general purpose lab freezers | 91% | 9% |
Under-counter general purpose lab freezers | 94% | 6% |
Low temperature chest lab freezers | 86% | 14% |
Low temperature upright lab freezers | 88% | 12% |
Upright ultra-low temperature freezers | 89% | 11% |
Chest ultra-low temperature freezers | 82% | 18% |
Other | 50% | 50% |
Do you have a lab freezer or are you planning to purchase a lab freezer for your lab?
Yes | 86% |
No, but planning to purchase | 5% |
No, and no plans to purchase | 9% |
Recently Released Refrigerators/Freezers
6CARFM Lab Refrigerator
• Features a new forced air evaporator system for even greater temperature control and uniformity
• Includes three adjustable, full depth, perforated metal cantilever shelves
• A positive close door hinging system reduces “door ajar” events
• Fits easily under lab benches and can be fully integrated into casework
Marvel Scientific
www.marvelscientific.com
DHS-9RF Refrigerator/Freezer Combo
• Exterior w x d x h 23.5” x 24” x 79.5” 59 x 61 x 202 (cm)
• Interior w x d x h 19” x 15” x 35” (R) 17” x 15” x 27” (F)
• Features dial temperature control
• Has a temperature range of 4°C (R) to -25°C (F)
• One-year domestic warranty
So-Low
www.so-low.com
VialMax Vial Storage and Retrieval Tool
• Designed to work with all sizes of standard cryogenic vials
• Snap-in magnet allows you to continue to do what you’re doing, only smarter and safer
• Can improve your efficiencies, maintain color coding hierarchies, reduce costs due to dewar refilling, and improve lab safety standards and sample security
• Helps maintain the integrity of your specimen
ColdStash
www.coldstash.com
Forma High-Performance Lab Refrigerators with Glass Doors
• Fit a variety of space and storage requirements
• Feature a microprocessor control system, positive airflow systems, and industrial-quality cabinet construction
• Also include extra-strength refrigeration compressors ideal for industrial, clinical and scientific use
• Boast easy-to-use controls with visual displays
• Come with audible/visual alarms for power failures and high/low temperature
Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermoscientifc.com
Refrigerator & Freezer Manufacturers
Angelantoni | www.angelantoni.it |
Baker BioScience Solutions | www.bakerbio.com |
Caron Products | www.caronproducts.com |
Darwin Chambers | www.darwinchambers.com |
Eppendorf | www.eppendorfna.com |
Helmer | www.helmerinc.com |
Freezer Concepts | www.freezer-concepts.com |
Marvel Scientific | www.marvelscientific.com |
MidSci | www.midsci.com |
New Brunswick Scientific | www.nbsc.com |
Nor-Lake | www.norlake.com |
NuAire | www.nuaire.com |
Sanyo (now Panasonic Healthcare) | www.sanyobiomedical.com |
SHEL LAB | www.shellab.com |
So-Low | www.so-low.com |
SP Scientific | www.spscientific.com |
Thermo Fisher Scientific | www.thermoscientific.com |