Question 1

What is the difference between a -86C ULT freezer and a cryogenic freezer?

Accepted Answer

A -86C ultra-low (ULT) freezer cools mechanically with a cascade compressor system and needs no consumables, making it ideal for routine -80C storage of stocks, standards, and biological samples. Cryogenic storage uses liquid nitrogen to reach roughly -150C and colder, where cellular metabolism and degradation effectively stop. Use ULT for active inventory and shorter-term storage; use cryogenic for cell lines and decades-long archival preservation.

Question 2

What temperature do I need for storing cannabis or biological samples?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the sample and storage duration. Many extracts, reference standards, and microbial stocks store well at -20C to -80C, with -86C ULT freezers preferred for anything sensitive to degradation over time. Living cells, tissue-culture lines, and long-term biobank material generally require cryogenic temperatures below -150C, where biological aging is essentially halted. Confirm requirements against your specific protocol rather than defaulting to the coldest option.

Question 3

Should I choose an upright or chest ultra-low freezer?

Accepted Answer

Upright ULT freezers save floor space and offer faster, organized access through shelves and racks, which suits high-traffic sample retrieval. Chest freezers hold cold better when opened because cold air sinks and stays in the cabinet, and they often tolerate ambient swings well, but they consume more floor area and require reaching down into the unit. Match the format to your room layout and how frequently the door opens.

Question 4

How much liquid nitrogen does cryogenic storage use?

Accepted Answer

Consumption depends on tank size, insulation quality, fill mode, and how often the lid is opened, so it varies widely between units and sites. Liquid-phase storage generally uses more nitrogen than vapor-phase but holds colder, more uniform temperatures. Plan for a reliable LN2 supply, scheduled top-offs or an autofill line, and proper ventilation and oxygen monitoring, since evaporating nitrogen displaces breathable air in enclosed rooms.

Question 5

How do I protect samples against a freezer failure?

Accepted Answer

Treat redundancy as part of the system. Use continuous temperature monitoring with audible and remote alarms so you learn about excursions immediately, and keep a backup freezer or reserved space to relocate inventory during a failure or defrost. For critical material, split high-value samples across two units so a single compressor or power fault never wipes out an entire collection. Liquid-nitrogen backup is common for the most valuable cryogenic stocks.

Question 6

What electrical and ventilation requirements do ultra-low freezers have?

Accepted Answer

ULT freezers draw significant power and reject substantial heat into the room, so confirm the circuit rating and provide adequate clearance and HVAC capacity to handle the heat load; crowded, hot rooms degrade performance and shorten compressor life. Cryogenic storage adds oxygen-deficiency monitoring and ventilation because liquid nitrogen boils off as gas. Verify each unit's specified voltage, current, and clearances against your site before installation rather than assuming a standard outlet suffices.

Extraction

Temperature Control

Processing

Separation

Drying

Support Equipment

Refrigerators & Freezers

-86°C 118L Horizontal Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer

-86°C Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer — 80L, 110V

Frequently asked questions

DW-86L108 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — 108L, -40 to -86°C

DW-86L30 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — -86°C, 30L

DW-86L608 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — -86°C, 608 L

DW-86L80 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — 80L, -86°C

MTST -86°C Horizontal Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer — 58L

MTST -86°C Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer — 2.05 Cu Ft

MTST -86°C Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer — 2.12 cu ft

MTST -86°C Ultra-Low Temperature Lab Freezer — 58L

MTST -86°C Ultra-Low Upright Lab Freezer — 80L, 110V

MTST DW-135W58 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — -135°C, 58L

MTST DW-45L30A Benchtop Lab Freezer — 30L, to -45°C

MTST DW-45W108G Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — 108 L

MTST DW-60W108 Ultra-Low Chest Freezer — 108 L, -65°C

MTST DW-60W50 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — 50L, to -65°C

MTST DW-60W88 Ultra-Low Chest Freezer — 88L, -65°C

MTST DW-86L105 Ultra-Low Freezer — 105L, -86°C

MTST DW-86L30 Ultra-Low Freezer — 30 L, to -86°C

MTST DW-86W20 Ultra-Low Freezer — 20L, -40 to -86°C

MTST DW-86W20 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer — 20 L, -45°C

MTST DW-86W25 Ultra-Low Freezer — 20L, -40°C to -86°C

MTST DW-86W28 Ultra-Low Freezer — 28L/50L, to -86°C

MTST Lab Deep Freezer — -40°C to -86°C, SUS304