Laboratory Freezers

Before choosing a laboratory freezer, the application, freezer type, configuration, temperature range, temperature stability and energy efficiency all must be considered. The upright format is better for regular access whilst the vertical or chest format can be better organised. Most contain customised shelves and storage compartments and the upright type have inner doors for further protection. Some contain a programmable thermostat, auto-defrost and alarm system in case of malfunction. The general purpose laboratory freezer is the most popular and reaches temperature of minus thirty degrees centigrade with an adjustable range of ten to fifteen degrees centigrade. Low temperature freezers drop to forty five degrees below zero while ultra-low temperature freezers can maintain a temperature of eighty six degrees centigrade. Flammable materials are kept in explosion-proof hermetically sealed compartments in specialised freezers without CFCs. Plasma types are for the exclusive storage of blood products while blast freezers contain a rapid-freeze setting. Freezers are essential in research and biochemical laboratories since they can store samples over long periods of time at a consistent temperature. Enzymes and biochemicals are stored at around twenty degrees centigrade while blood products such as plasma, biological samples and vaccines are kept at around minus thirty degrees centigrade.