LABORATORY FREEZERS AND ULT

Buying Guide

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

There are several types of laboratory freezers, each designed with a different purpose. Clinical or research freezers are designed to store temperature sensitive samples and are available in different sizes, temperature ranges and with different characteristics. This guide will help you decide which laboratory freezer is compatible with your specific application by providing you with a direct link to the models that Jointlab offers you.

WHAT IS A LABORATORY FREEZER?

Laboratory freezers are designed to precisely control and maintain internal temperature. They are equipped with temperature alarms and, depending on the model, with safety systems to guarantee the internal temperature even in the event of a power failure, operator distraction or technical problems.

They are used for the storage of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, blood, blood products, plasma, enzymes and other medical and chemical samples.

Laboratory freezers are used in pharmaceutical units, research laboratories, hospitals, blood banks, manufacturing facilities, materials testing and diagnostic units.

The different freezers available:

1. Low temperature freezer
Each series of freezers has its own particular minimum temperature, but roughly reaches -20°C to -45°C.
Freezers for enzymes and biochemicals are generally kept at around -20°C. A freezer temperature range of -20°C to -40°C provides safe and stable storage conditions for many cell types and reagents. Blood, biological samples and vaccines typically require temperatures between -30 and -40°C.
The common denominator of all models is the ability to accurately maintain the internal temperature; they have a thick insulation and are built with quality materials that allow them to last over time and to obtain significant energy savings. Among the most important features, compared to conventional freezers, are the safety alarms, such as high / low temperature alarms and the faulty temperature sensor.
Jointlab offers you a wide choice of professional freezers. Use the filters available to find the ones you are looking for.

2. Special freezers
There are freezers for special applications, here are some examples:

Atex freezers: explosion-proof freezers that comply with Atex standards, that is, they are equipped with anti-spark interiors. They are ideal for storing flammable products in complete safety. Our models →

Plasma Freezers: Plasma freezers are devices intended for the safe storage of blood plasma or blood components frozen at temperatures below -27°C. Our models (Class II medical devices) →

Freezers for vaccines: freezers which, thanks to specific safety systems, are ideal for storing vaccines. With us only certified 'medical device' models. Go to models →

3. ULT ultra low temperature freezer
Another type of laboratory freezer is the ultra low temperature freezer also known as ULT ('Ultra Low Temperature'). With operating temperatures from -45°C to -90°C, they are mainly used in laboratories, for industrial and scientific research; suitable for long-term storage of samples. Ultra-freezers are available both vertical and horizontal, or chest. The former are more used in the scientific field, while the latter in the industrial field. Chest ultra-freezers maintain temperature more easily, as cold air doesn't fall to the floor when the door is opened, but upright ultra-freezers are less bulky and have shelves, allowing for easy internal sampling.
Horizontal models are generally cheaper than vertical ones in terms of characteristics and construction. As an example, you can consult the prices and features of our horizontal 'EVR' models and vertical 'U' series.

The B Medical Systems models are among the most sophisticated models you will find on the market. The most cost-effective in the long run will give your laboratory comfort, safety and data records like no other.
All BMS freezers.
All BMS ULT freezers.

The Jointlab EVR models are economical, reliable and complete ultra freezers. Equipped with a touchscreen display and all the alarms needed to store your samples down to -86°C safely. In addition, they are equipped with internal protection for use with flammable products. Discover the models and prices →

For those who do not need too sophisticated freezers, freezers with glass doors can be an interesting solution, useful for choosing frozen products before opening the door.

If you are tight on space, then you will consider the small over-the-counter, or under-counter models. From -20°C to -86°C, there are no limits for these small tools, equipped like their bigger brothers, with all the necessary safety systems, ergonomic handles or touch panels. You can find them in our 'ultra-freezers' category.

HOW TO CHOOSE A FREEZER

Consider the following questions before choosing the freezer for your lab:

- What will I have to keep?
- At what temperature should I keep my samples?
- What size should the freezer be? How many samples will I go to store, where will I place the freezer in my laboratory? Ultra freezers (ULTs) are usually large in size, for medium to long-term storage. Under- or counter-top freezers are ideal for a limited number of samples, high turnover samples or samples with short expiration dates.
- Do I need any special features? Do I need to always have the temperature graphs available? Do I have to register the data? Will it happen to move the freezer, do I need wheels? Do I need to protect the samples, do I need a password or lock?

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED

Defrost: manual or automatic. In manual defrosting, you will need to remove the ice buildup from inside the freezer at regular intervals. The operation is inconvenient, also because in the meantime you will have to keep your samples in an alternative place. The freezer with automatic defrost eliminates this problem, but causes a temperature increase in the freezer, even if, as in the B Medical Systems models, it is minimal.
In any case, it is good to consider whether the samples you are going to store in the freezer can withstand this temperature increase without being damaged.

Monitoring systems: do you work with heat sensitive samples? In GLP and GMP research activities and in many other laboratories, the recording of temperature data, the possibility to observe graphs in real time or to analyze all the activity of the freezer via PC, are an essential feature. The more sophisticated models are equipped with touchscreen screens to view most of the data directly from the freezer, but as an option there are software for the complete management and connection of the freezer to the PC. The models of the 'U' series have the RTMD system as standard: your ultra-freezer will be connected 24/7 to the B-Medical-Systems network; so you can monitor, wherever you are, via the WEB, temperature, temperature / door opening alarms, and the GPS position of your device via Google maps.

Forced Air Control: For perfect temperature uniformity, you should choose a forced air unit. The forced air units, thanks to the ventilation, ensure that the temperature is uniform throughout the internal chamber. If the temperature needs to remain stable, be sure not to use a freezer with automatic defrost.

Backup Battery: If your samples are particularly valuable, make sure the model has the backup battery. In the event of a power failure, the freezer will still be able to maintain the temperature for 12 to 48 hours, depending on the model.

Comfort: inside the laboratory it is important to be able to work calmly and precisely. Stress, impediments and poorly ergonomic tools can lead to loss of precious material and serious errors during the various processes. This is why the most modern models are equipped with special handles, acoustic and visual safety systems, display suggestions for operators and many other devices that make use pleasant and simple. The higher price of these freezers will pay off over time in comfort and annoying problems avoided.

REASONS TO INVEST IN AN ULTRA-FREEZER

If your lab is considering investing in an ultra freezer to store medical samples, medicines, and more for extended periods, here are a few reasons why.

Correct cold chain
It is imperative that medical samples, vaccines and other materials that require low storage temperatures remain in a proper cold chain, from the manufacturer to the end user. The security systems, alarms and uninterrupted monitoring, combined with the powerful and precise refrigeration of the ultra-freezers, make you carefree and allow you to have the whole refrigeration process in view, thanks to the control panels, the large touch displays and the latest generation connections.

Temperature monitoring system
Medical freezers have temperature control and monitoring systems that you won't find in a regular freezer. Most medical freezers have large external displays with the internal temperature always available. Equipped with a freezer with digital display and control allows the operator to feel safe, without having to carry out internal checks, opening the door and unnecessarily altering the stability of the internal temperature.

Energy efficiency
Research laboratories need reliable and efficient freezers to store biological samples, enzymes, antibodies and other temperature-sensitive reagents. Second only to fume hoods, cold weather tools are probably the second most energy-consuming category.
Modern laboratory freezers are designed to consume as little as possible and use ecological and natural refrigerant gases. If your lab is getting too high energy bills lately it's also due to the age of your equipment. Modern ultra-freezers use around 25% less energy than standard freezer models, which will reduce energy costs and make your lab more sustainable. Furthermore, the more advanced models, with thick insulation and VIP walls (with vacuum insulation), will activate the compressor for much less time during the day, consuming less and improving the working environment, significantly reducing noise pollution.

Note: with the new European Regulation EU 517/2014, manufacturers of ultra-freezers must follow the guidelines to allow their use even after 2030. So, do not invest in old models, with polluting refrigerants, to save money; think long and buy eco-friendly ultra-freezers, avoiding future problems or standards, using them for years and years without problems.

Interior of a B Medical Systems 'U' series ultra-freezer. Refrigeration is powerful and precise. The trays are perforated, to allow the cold to descend naturally with greater ease.

Interior of the small F130 freezer, equipped with two drawers and a basket. Alongside the display of the larger B Medical Systems models: clear, easy to use and very useful; with user card reader and password protection.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE

Where to place the freezer in the laboratory
Ventilation in the laboratory is essential to keep laboratory freezers in the best condition. Optimal ventilation and the position of the freezer can also greatly affect the performance, energy consumption and life of the instrument itself. Before ordering a freezer, make sure its size can fit the lab properly or go through doorways, elevators, and access points. In any case: make sure that the air inlet and outlet are not blocked or obstructed; in general, keep the freezer a minimum of 3-5 cm from the walls.

How many samples in a freezer?
Plan well how much space you will need to store your samples. Overfilling your freezer can cause damage to what you store, also risking spills and breakdowns. The freezer will also lose its cooling capacity if it is overloaded.

THE BRANDS THAT JOINTLAB OFFERS

- B Medical Systems freezers and B Medical Systems ultra freezers: instruments of high quality, products in Luxembourg and with state-of-the-art security solutions
- Pol-Eko freezers: an alternative to B Medical Systems, with one of the best control panels on the market. Temperature up to 0ºC!
- Liebherr freezers: excellent quality and many models to choose from
- Jointlab freezers and Jointlab ultra freezers: many models to better adapt to your space, application and budget needs!

See the author's articles
Federico Ellade Peruzzotti

In Jointlab since 2013 as a creator of texts and graphics.

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