Laboratory Refrigerator Manuals & Owner Guides

Laboratory cold storage types

High-performance refrigerator

Holds 2–8 °C with tight temperature uniformity; used for reagents, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

General-purpose refrigerator

Laboratory refrigerator for less temperature-critical storage.

High-performance / general-purpose freezer

Typically operated around −20 °C to −30 °C for reagents, enzymes and some vaccines.

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer

Operates from about −70 °C to −86 °C for long-term storage of biological samples; usually uses a cascade refrigeration system.

Energy use and the −70 °C setpoint

ULT freezers are among the most energy-intensive devices in a laboratory. Many institutions have moved from −80 °C to −70 °C setpoints where sample integrity allows, cutting energy use substantially. Keeping condensers clean, removing frost and consolidating half-empty units also help.

Vaccine storage basics

• Use purpose-built or pharmaceutical-grade units; NSF/ANSI 456 certification identifies units tested for vaccine storage.
• Monitor with a digital data logger with a buffered probe and a current calibration certificate.
• Do not store food or beverages in vaccine units, and keep vaccines away from walls, vents and doors.

Laboratory Refrigerator FAQ