When it comes to the medical field, freezers play an integral role in the storage and preservation of sensitive materials. Buying a medical freezer isn’t a decision to take lightly, as you’ll be stuck with the one you buy for a while. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly understand what you need before you make a purchasing decision. Here are some of the most important considerations when choosing a medical freezer that you should keep in mind.

Temperature Range

Not every freezer will be able to handle every kind of job in a medical lab. Depending on the materials you work with, you may need a specialized freezer that keeps the materials at a specific temperature. You can get a general-purpose freezer for simpler items, but when temperature is a serious concern, you may need an ultra-low temperature freezer or a cryogenic freezer instead. The first step is to know what temperature range you need to stay within—that will help you make your choice.

Size & Accessibility

The capacity you need will vary but remember that it’s better to have more space than you need than to deal with a lack of space. The size of your freezer doesn’t just affect how much it can hold; it changes the layout of your lab as well. You need to determine how the size of the freezer will affect the workflow in your lab. Will it get in the way or be difficult to open regularly? Also, consider the fact that you’ll need a dedicated power source, 110V or 220V depending on the size of the freezer.

Ventilation Requirements

One important consideration when choosing a medical freezer is where the ventilation will be. If you can’t find a place for your freezer to sit and properly ventilate, you need to consider other options. Most freezers ventilate through the top of the unit, so it’s crucial that there is space above it and that you don’t place anything on top of the freezer.

Monitoring Systems

It’s one thing to keep your materials and samples cold, but you also need to be aware of temperatures changes in your freezer immediately if you want to keep them safe. Many modern freezers now come with remote monitoring that give you temperature alerts for temperature excursions. These monitoring systems can prevent disasters, so it’s worth paying for them.

Extra Features

There are plenty of additional features you can consider when deciding on a freezer. Here are a few to think about:

• Glass doors to see samples and materials without opening the door and releasing cold air
• External thermometers can help with monitoring proper temperatures
• Door locks can ensure your samples are kept safe and in the right hands only
• Backup battery systems for emergencies

If you’re in need of a pharmaceutical or medical freezer, DigiVac can assist you in finding a UL CDC/VFC compliant one that works for you. We’ll be happy to help you with any questions you might have.