Care and maintenance of the laboratory refrigerator

The importance of proper laboratory refrigerator maintenance

To avoid irreparable damage and costly loss of research material, it is imperative to implement proper maintenance procedures that include regular temperature monitoring, thorough a systematic cleaning, and checking the integrity of seals and mechanical components. Implementing automated monitoring technologies and following a set of preventive practices will help to ensure that sensitive materials are optimally preserved and that the storage environment remains stable and safe, positively impacting the performance and quality of research in analytical and medical laboratories.
 

7 steps for correct operation of laboratory refrigerator 
 

To ensure ideal operations and for the safety of stored materials, it is essential to follow these detailed steps when maintaining a laboratory refrigerator:

1. Carry out regular cleaning of the laboratory refrigerator, both inside and out: it is essential to keep the refrigerator, including shelves, walls and gaskets, clean, using a mild detergent solution and lukewarm water, and then drying all surfaces thoroughly to prevent mould growth. It is also essential to periodically remove dust and dirt that may accumulate in the condenser coils. Keep clean the area of the cooling unit is crucial to avoid performance decay or sudden malfunctioning that could damage valuable materials stored in the refrigerator.
2. Defrost the refrigerator regularly: the formation of ice can compromise the internal temperature and obstruct airflow. Not only that, it can help the proliferation of mould and bacteria, increase energy consumption and, in the long run, compromise the reliability of the refrigerator components. Eliminating ice build-up inside the refrigerator is crucial to ensure even air flow and reduced energy consumption.
3. Replace refrigerator gaskets when they are worn or no longer functional: it is important not to underestimate signs such as warping, deterioration or tears in the gaskets. Other indicators of problems can include condensation and the airtightness of the door: a method of checking the condition of the gaskets is the ‘banknote test’: by inserting a banknote between the gasket and the refrigerator door, if the banknote pulls out easily, the gasket is no longer airtight and must be replaced. The perfect functioning of the gaskets in the laboratory refrigerator is essential to ensure adequate thermal insulation.
4. Regularly checking and monitoring the temperature of the laboratory refrigerator is essential to ensure the desired storage conditions. Do not underestimate temperature alarms and make sure to constantly record data for effective monitoring.
5. Organize the contained material in an orderly manner: it is essential to ensure that the air circulates correctly and homogeneously by arranging samples and products in an orderly manner, using compartments and shelves. It is also essential to avoid overloading the laboratory refrigerator to improve energy efficiency, protect the integrity of samples and prevent contamination.
6. Avoid opening and closing the refrigerator frequently: each time it is opened, heat and humidity get into, increasing the thermal load on the compressor. This leads to increased energy consumption, stress on the refrigeration system and potential temperature variations that can compromise the integrity of stored samples.
7. Place the refrigerator in a cool, dry place: it is important to keep the laboratory refrigerator away from heat sources and direct sunlight to maintain a constant and efficient internal temperature. Not only that, it is good practice install the refrigerator in an ambient with air circulation in order to ensure proper ventilation of the cooling system, prevent overheating and improve energy efficiency.

Adopting a comprehensive and reliable maintenance plan for laboratory refrigerators is critical to ensure the safe and accurate storage of the products. By following carefully these steps, the life-time and efficiency of the equipment can be greatly increased, positively impacting on the effectiveness of scientific research.
 

Discover the excellence of Evermed laboratory refrigerators for superior quality of the samples preservation
 

Choose Evermed's laboratory refrigerators, which are characterised by advanced technical features, available in different capacities and multiple finishing options. Thanks to the ability to customize the control panel, our refrigerators are perfectly suited to the specific needs of healthcare facilities, analytical laboratories and research centres at different levels, ensuring always a high level of preservation performance.

Contact Evermed for a reliable solution that guarantees the integrity of valuable scientific samples.