by Jamie Steiner, Regional Sales Manager, DAI Scientific
If you work in a lab of any type, you know that ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are crucial for storing and protecting your products and samples at the correct chilling temperatures. Whether it be for vaccine storage, biospecimen samples, enzymes, drugs, and more, it is important to consider how to get the most out of your ULT freezer, no matter the application.
Read on to learn some tips and tricks about ultra-low temperature freezers and how you can take advantage of this essential piece of lab equipment.
1. Different vaccines, samples, and products require different storage temperatures — so know what you are working with ahead of time.
It is important to remember that different products require different storage temperatures within your ULT freezer. For example, when talking about the COVID-19 vaccines, the Moderna vaccine has a temperature storage requirement between -25°C and -15°C (-13°F and -5°F), while Pfizer’s storage initially required a temperature of -70°C (-94°F), before scientists adapted it to the more common -25°C temperature.
Since storage temperatures vary, that is crucial to understand when organizing and setting up your own products within your ultra-low freezer. Know ahead of time the requirements for the product you are working with so you can make sure you are adjusting the temperature accordingly within your freezer.
2. Make sure your freezer’s alarm and temperature monitoring system are set up and working properly.
Since you cannot refreeze vaccines and other products, it is important to make sure your freezer has a proper alarm and temperature monitoring system. As noted above, many products have different storage temperatures; save yourself from disaster by investing in the right ultra-low freezers ahead of time so you don’t run into losing all your products from instances such as loose plugs or failed monitoring systems.
3. Ultra-low freezers can store a variety of products and samples.
As the COVID vaccine is being distributed across the country, ULT freezers are becoming increasingly popular. However, these freezers have been around for years. In addition to vaccine storage, ULTs are designed to preserve and store things such as tissue samples, chemicals, bacteria, biological samples, enzymes, and more.
4. Setting your ultra-low freezer to -70°C is a cost efficient way to save energy.
Stanford University estimates that ultra-low freezers use almost as much energy per year as a single-family home. By making your freezer just a little bit warmer, you can save energy while also lengthening the life of your freezer. Just remember that some samples may require a specific temperature, so only set it to -70°C when you are sure the samples are safe under that condition.
5. Keep up with maintenance on your freezers and temperature monitoring devices.
Like any piece of lab equipment, freezers and temperature monitoring devices need regular repair and service to work properly. The CDC recommends routine equipment maintenance, which includes:
- Checking door hinges and the unit for signs of wear and tear
- Regularly cleaning the inside of the freezer to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungus
- Cleaning quickly to avoid the temperature going out of range
- Replacing temperature monitoring devices when needed, as they can “drift over time” and affect accuracy (they should be replaced if the freezer isn’t accurate within +/- .5°C or +/-1°F)
6. Know where your freezer will be placed in the lab beforehand.
Knowing the dimensions of where you will place your freezer in the lab will make for a more organized setup process. Leading lab equipment provider DAI Scientific states that, “It’s important to accurately document the height, width and depth of the space and match it to the dimensions of your freezer to ensure there are no surprises when the equipment arrives.” This way it is smooth sailing when you are ready to put goods into your ULT.
7. Secure your freezer with keyed locks.
Since vaccine and specimen protection is of the utmost importance in a freezer, look for models with keyed door locks for extra security.
8. Follow best practices from the CDC for proper storage and handling.
The CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit provides information on best practices for vaccine storage and handling. The toolkit also contains information and recommendations from key players, including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccine manufacturers, and scientific studies.
Proper storage is essential for vaccines, tissue samples, chemicals, bacteria, biological samples, enzymes, and more. This is why the right ultra-low temperature freezers and other cold storage products are so important for you and your widespread implementation of medical and scientific products. Make sure you are following these tips for optimal use of your ULT freezer!
About the Author: Jamie Steiner is the regional sales manager of DAI Scientific and leads a team of 13 equipment sales consultants. His background includes 20 years of experience working with customers in academic, clinical, industrial, and bio/pharma laboratories. Steiner works with architects, engineers, and lab planners to identify the correct equipment for each user’s specific needs. He also leverages his previous role as a DAI sales representative to help his sales consultants work with customers to ensure informed decisions and customer satisfaction. He stays involved in recent research by continuously attending seminars and educating himself on the products and industries he serves. Steiner holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.