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02/04/2024

How to choose the right laboratory fridge

Mercatus
2 Minute Read
Selecting the Right Laboratory Fridge

When choosing a laboratory refrigerator, consider the environmental factors as well as features of the fridge. 

Ensure the refrigerator is placed in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, and not attached to a wall. Optimal placement and proper ventilation are crucial to maintaining the integrity of your stored substances and achieving accurate results in your experiments.


Varieties of Laboratory Refrigerators

Laboratory refrigerators come in various types depending on the required temperature range and usage. These include:

Conservation Refrigerators: Operating in the range of 0°C to 8°C, ideal for storing sensitive materials.
Low-Temperature Refrigerators: Operating in the range of 0°C to -30°C, suitable for preserving a wide range of laboratory samples.
Ultra-Low-Temperature Refrigerators: Operating in the range of 0°C to -86°C, designed for storing extremely sensitive and critical biological substances.


What to Consider in a Laboratory Refrigerator

According to the usage of the refrigerator there are features that should be evaluated depending on the lab’s needs. These are:

Capacity: having in mind the level of the activity and the purpose of the fridge determine the minimum and maximum capacity in litters required, this will help you to be more efficient when sourcing.
Type of doors: when looking for an energy efficient fridge with low thermal loss choose a solid door refrigerator. If you need to visually check samples regularly while avoiding unnecessary door opens go with a glazed door fridge.
Configuration: consider the available space and the exact position of the refrigerator. Configure the layout to be optimised, avoiding unnecessary movements of staff. Additionally, by having in mind purpose of the fridge, understand what will be stored inside, this will give you valuable clues to choose the right internal configuration.


How to Guarantee the Correct Storage Temperature

Many healthcare refrigerators have additional features that heighten the level of security for lab’s sensitive storage. These are:

Certification: when sourcing a supplier is important to look for the ones that comply with industry safety regulatory standards such as DIN 13277 or ATEX, even if they are not mandatory in your country, it will help you source equipment’s that are particularly suitable for strict medical storage.
Operation: look for equipment’s that showcase at all times the product and the internal temperature, premium versions use PT 1000 probes for better accuracy. They must include audible and visuals alarms to prevent sample spoilage.
Safety: units with access port are very helpful if you need to add an extra probe to monitor temperature or humidity inside the fridge. If you need to protect your samples from freeze there are many fridges that can be supplied with an additional sensor that prevents the internal temperature from dropping below the set minimum.
Monitoring: In GLP and GMP research activities record of temperature data and alarms is mandatory, when sourcing look for equipment’s that have an integrated data log or feature IoT for safe sample tracking. 

Laboratory refrigeration is a critical aspect of maintaining the integrity and viability of your valuable research materials and samples. 

Mercatus Bioscience's advanced refrigeration solutions, with precise temperature control, flexible storage options, and enhanced security features, provide the ideal environment for your laboratory needs. Choose Mercatus Bioscience for top-tier laboratory refrigeration solutions that ensure the success of your research and experiments.

For further information, get in touch with a member of our team.