Laboratory Refrigerators and Laboratory Freezers

Laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers are used to cool or freeze samples for preservation. Typically, a laboratory refrigerator stores samples at a temperature between - 5 and 15 degrees Celsius. A laboratory freezer stores samples at a temperature between - 25 and - 15 degrees Celsius. Some laboratory freezers are used to store biological samples such as vaccines at a much lower temperature. Cryogenic freezing is also used in laboratories, but requires specialty equipment that can generate and tolerate extremely low temperatures.

Laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers include equipment for storing samples and special instrumentation for conducting experiments that require strict temperature control. For example, a lab refrigerator can be used to set up chromatography apparatus within the refrigerator chamber. Laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers also include equipment to store medical or pharmaceutical supplies. A blood bank uses a lab refrigerator to maintain the quality of its blood supply. Lab refrigerators that store blood and blood products must also meet a variety of regulatory and quality standards and typically come with an alarm system to warn laboratory personnel if the equipment fails. A pharmacy may also use a laboratory refrigerator to store vaccines, medications, and other temperature sensitive compounds.

Laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers include equipment for freezing blood plasma or other blood products for future use. Some lab freezers are used to store enzymes or other biological reagents used to conduct tests. Laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers may be stand-alone, upright units or may fit under the lab counter. A lab freezer may also be fitted with locks to restrict entry, and may even be designed to safely insulate flammable materials from electrical sparks. Some laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers are also used as incubators that cycle between a heating period and a refrigeration period. These types of refrigerators are often used for culturing and monitoring the growth of bacteria.

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