What is a laboratory refrigerator?
A laboratory refrigerator is a professional cooling unit for the controlled storage of reagents, samples, culture media, chemical substances and biological materials. The temperature range falls between +2°C and +20°C. It differs from a household refrigerator in several ways. Most notably, uniform temperature distribution, forced air circulation, audible and visual alarms for deviation and optional datalogging for compliance set it apart. In addition, our laboratory refrigerators maintain stable temperature across the entire working volume, even with frequent door openings. This is essential for the integrity of your samples.
When do you choose a laboratory refrigerator?
When reagents, culture media or clinical samples must be stored under stable and verifiable temperature conditions, a household refrigerator is insufficient. With each door opening of a consumer model, the interior temperature can rise up to 10°C. Moreover, warm and cold zones develop inside. A professional laboratory refrigerator maintains uniform temperature with deviation within ±2°C. Furthermore, the unit continuously records values with timestamps, and alarms on overrun. For accreditation under GLP, GMP class C and D, ISO 17025 or ISO 15189, certified cooling is essential.
Which types of laboratory refrigerator do we supply?
Our laboratory refrigerators come in various configurations. The choice depends on your application and available space. A glass door allows visual inspection without opening. As a result, this type is ideal for frequently accessed stock and presentation in educational laboratories. A solid door, by contrast, offers better insulation and lower energy consumption. Therefore, this version suits longer-term storage and light-sensitive substances. Researchers further choose between compact undercounter models (from 130 litres) for installation under the workbench and larger upright models (up to 1500 litres) for central storage.
For explosive environments we supply ATEX-certified versions. In addition, for pure medication storage we refer to our medical refrigerators category with DIN 13277 compliant models.
Undercounter laboratory refrigerator with glass door
An undercounter laboratory refrigerator with glass door fits under the workbench and provides direct visibility of contents without opening the door. As a result, the work surface remains free for other equipment. Our Thermo Scientific TSU series and Liebherr LKUv series supply undercounter laboratory refrigerators with capacities from 130 litres. Moreover, glass door versions come with LED interior lighting for optimal visibility. An undercounter laboratory refrigerator with glass door is particularly suitable for educational laboratories, decentralised workspaces and smaller research groups where visual stock control matters.
Which brands of laboratory refrigerator does Poly Temp supply?
Poly Temp Scientific supplies laboratory refrigerators from four leading brands, each with their own strengths.
Thermo Scientific offers high-performance models in the TSG series (laboratory refrigerator with glass or solid door), TSX series (pharmacy and pharmaceutical version) and TSU series (compact undercounter). These models stand out through V-drive technology, forced air circulation and energy-efficient natural refrigerants.
Liebherr is known worldwide for precision and reliability in laboratory cooling. The LKPv and LKUv series with forced air circulation are broadly deployable in research and clinical lab.
Gram BioLine supplies robust, versatile models in the BioPlus, BioMidi and BioCompact II series. As a result, these refrigerators suit daily use in practice, clinic and research lab. Within the Gram BioLine range is the ATEX-certified ExGuard ER600W, a spark-free version for flammable solvents.
Labselect supplies durable, user-friendly refrigerators selected based on experience from lab managers and analysts. Standard with audible and visual alarms and intuitive operation.
Automatic defrost in laboratory refrigerators
Our laboratory refrigerators come standard with automatic defrost. As a result, the unit prevents ice build-up on the evaporator. The cycle runs automated on time-based schedules or demand-based on actual ice formation. A freezer with automatic defrost works on the same principles, although the cycle takes slightly longer due to the lower temperature.
A refrigerator with automatic defrost provides three practical advantages. Firstly, the temperature stays stable because the cycle runs short and controlled. Secondly, the automatic defrost system significantly reduces maintenance work. Thirdly, automated defrosting eliminates the need for manual emptying, drying and refilling. For laboratories that store particularly light-sensitive or critical samples, we also supply models with manual defrost. With manual defrost you retain control over the timing of the cycle.
ATEX laboratory refrigerator for flammable solvents
An ATEX laboratory refrigerator is suitable for the storage of flammable solvents and chemicals that may form explosive vapours. The interior is spark-free and contains no electrical components that could trigger ignition. Therefore, we supply the Gram BioLine ExGuard ER600W for this purpose, an ATEX Cat.3 Zone 2/22 certified model with integrated ventilation activation. This version suits laboratories working with ethanol, methanol, acetone, ether and similar flammable reagents.
Applications by sector
Clinical laboratory: storage of blood products, clinical reagents and diagnostic samples in medical diagnostic environments.
Pharmaceutical industry and biotech: GMP and GDP compliant storage for production processes, chemotherapy and biotechnological research, in accordance with GMP class C and D requirements.
Research and academic laboratory: storage of enzymes and kits for molecular biology, culture media and buffers for microbiology, samples during experiments.
Food and microbiological laboratory: food samples, microbiological experiments and quality control within the food industry.
Agricultural and horticultural laboratory: seed storage, crop research and sampling within the agriculture and horticulture sector.
Datalogging, temperature registration and compliance
For GLP, GMP and GDP compliant storage, continuous temperature monitoring with datalogging is mandatory. Therefore, we equip our laboratory refrigerators standard with digital display, temperature registration, and audible and visual alarms for deviation or power failure. Moreover, we supply full datalogger modules with audit trail and monitoring software as an option. As a result, you can integrate the unit with external monitoring systems. A lab refrigerator with validation documentation and IQ/OQ protocols is available on request. This is particularly relevant for laboratories with higher compliance requirements under GMP class C or D. In addition, we supply every lab refrigerator standard with a door lock for access security and power failure alerts. For specific compliance requirements around your lab refrigerator, our specialists advise on the right model and the accompanying documentation. Continuous temperature registration is part of the standard configuration.
Service and advice for your laboratory refrigerator
Poly Temp Scientific guides you from advice to installation and maintenance. Our certified service engineers provide periodic maintenance, calibration, validation and breakdown service for your cooling equipment. With our own repair facility in Bolsward we ensure short turnaround times and expert support. For advice on the right laboratory refrigerator for your situation, please contact our specialists. In addition, you can request a quote directly for your chosen model. The complete overview of our cold storage equipment is available on the cold storage equipment page.
Frequently asked questions about laboratory refrigerators
What is a laboratory refrigerator?
A laboratory refrigerator is a professional cooling unit for the controlled storage of reagents, samples, culture media and chemical substances between +2°C and +20°C. It provides uniform temperature distribution, alarms for temperature deviation and optional datalogging. This is what sets the unit apart from a household refrigerator which does not offer these functions.
What temperature range does a laboratory refrigerator have?
Most laboratory refrigerators operate between +2°C and +20°C, with +5°C as the standard setpoint. Our Liebherr and Gram BioLine models maintain uniform temperature throughout the working volume. As a result, samples and reagents experience the same storage conditions across the entire interior. For lower temperatures we refer to our laboratory freezers.
What is the difference between a laboratory refrigerator with glass door and solid door?
A glass door allows visual inspection without opening. Therefore, this type is ideal for frequently accessed stock and presentation in educational laboratories. A solid door, by contrast, offers better insulation and lower energy consumption. As a result, this version suits longer-term storage and light-sensitive substances. The Thermo Scientific TSG series and Liebherr LKPv series are available in both versions.
What is an ATEX laboratory refrigerator and when do you need one?
An ATEX laboratory refrigerator is suitable for the storage of flammable solvents and chemicals that may form explosive vapours. The interior is spark-free and contains no electrical components that could trigger ignition. You need an ATEX laboratory refrigerator when you work with ethanol, methanol, acetone, ether or similar flammable reagents. For this we supply the Gram BioLine ExGuard ER600W, an ATEX Cat.3 Zone 2/22 certified model with integrated ventilation activation.
Which brands of laboratory refrigerator does Poly Temp supply?
Our available brands are Thermo Scientific (TSG, TSX and TSU series), Liebherr (LKPv and LKUv), Gram BioLine (BioPlus, BioMidi and BioCompact II) and Labselect. For explosive environments we supply the Gram BioLine ExGuard ATEX version. Moreover, all models offer uniform temperature distribution, alarms for deviation and optional datalogging.
Does a lab refrigerator need datalogging?
For GLP, GMP and GDP compliant storage, continuous temperature monitoring with datalogging is mandatory. This applies to pharmaceutical industry, clinical diagnostics and accredited laboratories. Therefore, we equip our units standard with digital display and temperature registration. Full datalogger modules with audit trail and monitoring software are available as an option. In addition, we offer integration with external monitoring systems.
How does automatic defrost work in a laboratory refrigerator?
Automatic defrost is an automated process that prevents ice build-up on the evaporator. A built-in defrost element heats the evaporator periodically to just above freezing point. As a result, the ice melts and water drains via a dedicated outlet. The automatic defrost system works on fixed cycles (time-controlled) or demand-controlled based on actual ice formation. Therefore, this technology ensures lower maintenance and better temperature stability than manual defrost. A freezer with automatic defrost follows the same principle, with slightly longer cycles due to the lower storage temperature.
What is an undercounter refrigerator with glass door?
An undercounter refrigerator with glass door fits under the workbench and has a glass door for direct visibility of contents. As a result, the workspace above the unit remains free for other equipment. Therefore, this type is particularly suitable for educational laboratories, decentralised workspaces and smaller research groups. Our Thermo Scientific TSU series and Liebherr LKUv series supply undercounter laboratory refrigerators with capacities from 130 litres. Moreover, the glass door versions come with LED interior lighting.
What volume and capacity are available?
Our laboratory refrigerators range from approximately 130 litre undercounter models up to 1500 litre double-door versions. For limited space under the workbench, compact units such as the Thermo TSU series or Liebherr LKUv are suitable. With larger stock or shared use between multiple researchers, the Thermo TSG series or Liebherr LKPv upright models work best.
What are the typical applications?
Applications vary widely: storage of enzymes and kits for molecular biology, culture media and buffers for microbiology, clinical reagents for diagnostics, chemical standard solutions, vaccines and samples during research. For specific medical diagnostic or pharmaceutical production environments our specialists advise on the right model and the required validation documentation.
How often should a laboratory refrigerator be validated?
For GLP and GMP environments, annual calibration and validation is mandatory, with temperature mapping at installation. ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 accreditation have comparable requirements. For regular laboratory applications, an annual temperature check is strongly recommended. Our certified service engineers carry out these checks as part of a maintenance contract, including calibration certification.
What is the difference between a laboratory refrigerator and a medical refrigerator?
Both work in a comparable temperature range, but the application differs. A laboratory refrigerator is broadly deployable for reagents, samples and chemical substances, and can also be ATEX-rated. A medical refrigerator, by contrast, is specifically optimised for pharmaceutical storage in accordance with DIN 13277 and GDP. As a result, you get validation and compliance features for pharmacy, hospital and GP practice.
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