What to Check Before Buying a Lab Freezer
The right kind of lab equipment can make a world of difference and save you hefty maintenance and repair costs later on.
A lab freezer is one such piece of equipment that needs to be carefully checked before it can be bought. If you’re looking to purchase a new lab freezer, here are some things you should keep in mind before making a decision:
Temperature Range
While choosing a lab freezer, you should be clear about the temperature range you’re looking for. Different types of lab freezers and refrigerators come in different temperature settings. This function allows various kinds of samples and other medications to be stored in their optimal temperatures.
Standard lab refrigerators offer a temperature range of 5 to 2 degrees Celsius. They also include a freezer section with a temperature range of 0 to -22 degrees Celsius.
ULT freezers can offer more drastic temperature ranges that typically range from minus 4 to minus 80 degrees Celsius.
Cryogenic freezers provide some of the highest cold temperature ranges that can go up to minus 150 degrees Celsius. The temperature range you select for the lab freezer will be dependent on the types of samples and items you want to store in it.
Ventilation Requirement
The lab area you’ll be placing the freezer in needs to have proper ventilation so the freezers can keep working efficiently. The ventilation requirement of freezers varies depending on their model type. You should always ask the manufacturer for more information regarding such conditions.
When you’re placing the freezer, make sure the air inlet and outlet aren’t blocked by other items. In some instances, custom ventilation options are available for lab freezers to suit the conditions of your lab area.
Available Freezer Capacity
The capacity of the lab freezer will dictate the number of samples you can safely store in it. Overfilling a freezer may cause damage to the samples and cause the risk of spillage and breakdowns. The freezer will also lose its cooling capability if it’s overloaded.
Available Space
We discussed how ventilation in the lab area is essential to keep lab freezers working in their best conditions. Another factor that affects the performance of lab freezers is the space that would be available in the lab.
Before you finalize a freezer model, make sure that its dimensions can correctly fit in the lab as well as through the door.
You’ll also have to consider the size dimensions when you’ll be transporting it to the lab. Check if the freezer is sufficient to fit in through the elevator and other entry points.
Defrosting Feature
You’ll also have to consider the defrosting feature that is compliant with the lab freezer. There are two types of defrosting features: manual and auto. In manual defrosting, you’ll have to remove the ice buildup from inside the freezer at regular intervals.
This involves much effort as the samples inside would need to be stored in an alternative place when ice is being removed.
Auto defrosting freezer eliminates this problem. Auto defrosting causes a sudden temperature hike in the freezer using heating coils.
Although this feature sounds more convenient, you’ll have to consider if the samples inside the freezer can withstand this temperature hike without being damaged in the process.
No matter what kind of medical and lab equipment you’re looking to get, make sure you purchase one that is compliant with international standards and has been medically graded.
Check for added features, too, such as warranty terms and availability of after-service maintenance.
If you’re looking for a freezer for a medical lab, we can help. North Sciences is an international company that has been manufacturing laboratory equipment for medical use in North and South America for over 20 years.
We provide ULT freezers coupled with twin technology. Our ULT freezers are energy-saving and include a backup compressor to ensure the temperature is maintained for extended periods. We also provide bio-freezers to store biological samples.
It consists of a microprocessor temperature controller for increased temperature consistency. Our authorized service engineers are available to assist with maintenance and technical support. Get in touch with us to learn more and get the lab freezers most suitable for your needs.