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The purpose of a laboratory fridge is cooling samples or specimens in order to be preserved. The difference between them and standard refrigerators used at home is in the types of products that are stored as well as in the level of hygiene that has to be kept. These units are used to store blood plasma, vaccines and other medical or pharmaceutical supplies.
It is of the utmost importance that a laboratory fridge is of high-quality due to the fact that it stores flammable materials, chemical substances, poisons, reagents and samples with spark-free interiors. In order to prevent bacterial contamination, lab fridges need to maintain a specific temperature with great consistency.
Types of Lab Refrigerators
Chromatography refrigerators – most suitable for laboratories whose research experiments require precise temperature settings and stability. A chromatography apparatus can be set up in a refrigerator chamber.
Lab fridges – their main function is to cool supplies and preserve their quality. These typically contain a digital display to monitor the temperature inside.
Blood bank refrigerators – they are very reliable and their key feature is the ability to monitor the temperature. They need to be divided into several compartments so that different sample types can be stored.
Explosion-proof refrigerators – used for storage of flammable liquids or volatile materials. They do not dispose of internal switching devices preventing fire caused by sparks in the storage area. This type of laboratory fridge features self-closing doors, magnetic door gaskets, and thresholds.
What you should take into consideration when purchasing a laboratory fridge?
We are aware of the fact that choosing the right laboratory fridge can be quite time-consuming, so there are a few important questions to ask yourself. What kind of supplies and specimens do you need to store? What fridge size would satisfy your needs? Do you need certain specific features?
Temperature
Now that you have decided about what kind of a laboratory fridge you need, you probably have an idea about what temperatures should your supplies be stored at. Most medical refrigerators can be compared to the standard ones, ranging from -18°,-20° to -25°. But, you can find also fridges designed to maintain temperatures ranging from -40° to -86°. These kinds of fridges will definitely provide you with a precise temperature in a sustainable and consistent manner. They are also equipped with an automatic defrost function which keeps the fridge frost-free.
Design
If your laboratory is limited regarding space, you can mount the fridge on the wall or place it in another unit. Space-saving designs are definitely worth buying even though they are a little bit expensive. Another feature you should also consider is a lock on the refrigerator so that people who are not authorized won’t have access to the medical supplies, vaccines, or narcotics, that are stored inside.
Energy Efficiency
When looking to buy a laboratory fridge, look for brands that prioritize energy efficiency. This will not only be a good thing for your wallet but for the environment as well. So, if you want to conserve energy, try to find a lab refrigerator that is Energy Star approved.
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