Most medical facilities and laboratories will require freezers somewhere on the premises. The requirements for each business will be individual. Laboratories might need to hold test samples at a constant temperature, and some clinics will just need to have ice packs on hand for muscle injuries.
So what are the key points to look for when buying a medical or laboratory freezer? Let’s look at the most critical factors to take into account and how you can make sure to choose the right product for your purpose.
Why Do You Need a Medical or Laboratory Freezer?
It can be tempting to buy a ‘dorm-style’ refrigerator from any chain store. This may seem like a more simple and inexpensive option, but it’ll lead to unsafe storage of samples and can be much more expensive in the long run. Most importantly, it’s recommended to have a separate freezer when storing medical or laboratory equipment.
One of the main problems with dorm-style models is that they don’t maintain a fixed temperature. Even within the freezer itself, there’s a much wider range of coolness levels, so there isn’t a secure place for samples that need to be under very accurate conditions.
With a medical or laboratory freezer, you’ll have much more control over the atmosphere the contents are exposed to, making storage of vaccines and other substances much safer.
How to Choose the Best Freezer for You
Capacity
The primary variable to consider when choosing a freezer is the capacity you need. These units are very sensitive, and how fully you stock them can affect their efficiency. It’s recommended that any refrigerator works best when filled between 30 and 80% capacity.
If you buy a freezer that’s too big and is relatively empty, then the temperature fluctuation between the top and bottom of the unit will significantly increase. On the other hand, overfilling will lead to hot and cold spots due to a lack of air circulation. Either of these issues can cause damage to the freezer contents.
Make sure to estimate how much storage you need and buy a model with a suitable capacity to keep your goods stored as securely as possible.
Size and Shape
Another thing to think about is how you’ll fit the freezer into space you have available. Be aware that free-standing units will require space around them for airflow, as they don’t include exterior fans. Built-in varieties are more expensive but worth the investment if you want them fitted into a particular area.
There are plenty of options available when looking at where to fit a freezer into your workspace. For example, this one from American BioTech Supply comes in both full-standing and under-counter varieties. You can also choose between double, box, and chest freezers, depending on what capacity you need.
What Temperature Should My Freezer Be Set At?
The temperature required for your freezer will depend on the contents you’re storing. Units are usually classed by the temperatures they can reach. You’ll need to check the specific storage requirements for the substances you want to store and buy an appropriate unit that’s classed in the right range.
Simpler Than it Seems
Although the amount of variety and specifics of the units can make buying a medical or laboratory freezer a little daunting, there are actually a few straightforward steps to finding what you’re looking for.
As with any type of storage unit, you’ll want to estimate how much space you need. Find a suitable unit that fits into your available area, and make sure it operates at the correct temperature for what you require.
