Glass door or solid door: how to choose a laboratory refrigerator

02 April 2024

A detailed comparison for the best choice of laboratory refrigerator

Before selecting a medical laboratory refrigerator, it is essential to carefully consider a number of key features, particularly when deciding between a glass or solid door. Behind this seemingly simple choice lie important considerations that can have a significant impact on the efficiency, safety and day-to-day running of the laboratory. It is therefore important not to underestimate the importance of such a decision and to fully understand the specific requirements that each type of door can meet.

Advantages of a glass door laboratory refrigerator

Choosing a laboratory refrigerator with a glass door is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons:

Immediate visibility: laboratory refrigerators with a transparent door allow the contents to be viewed without opening the door. This feature results in less cold dispersion and greater internal thermal stability, which is crucial for analytical laboratories where quick and regular access to stored samples is required.
Stock control: the glass door allows constant monitoring of stocks of medicines, vaccines and other pharmaceutical products, without the need to open the refrigerator each time..
Aesthetics: in addition to the practical benefits, laboratory fridge glass doors offer added value in terms of aesthetics. Their modern design and ability to blend harmoniously into the laboratory environment make them a preferred choice for those looking to combine functionality with style, enhancing the overall appearance of the workspace.

Advantages of a solid door laboratory refrigerator

Laboratory refrigerators with solid doors have a number of specific advantages that make them the optimal choice for certain needs in a laboratory environment:

Superior thermal insulation: The solid door ensures considerable energy efficiency, minimising the energy consumption required to keep medicines, vaccines and biological samples cool. In blackout situations, this feature is critical, allowing the refrigerator to preserve its contents for a longer period of time without compromising quality.
Light protection: these refrigerators offer an unsurpassed barrier to light, protecting light-sensitive materials such as certain reagents and samples from degradation. The optimum storage provided by a solid door is critical when light-sensitive medicines need to be stored in the refrigerator, ensuring their long-term integrity.
Reduced risk of condensation: condensation, a potential source of contamination or damage to stored materials, is significantly reduced by solid doors, especially in high humidity environments. This feature helps to maintain a stable and safe internal environment for sample storage.
Increased security: laboratory refrigerators with solid doors provide an additional layer of security against unauthorised access, especially for those who wish to preserve the confidentiality of the refrigerator's contents. This is particularly valuable when handling high-value medicines and vaccines, ensuring that these resources remain visible only to authorised personnel.

The choice between a laboratory refrigerator with a glass door or one with a solid door therefore depends on the specific needs of the laboratory, in terms of handling stored materials, energy efficiency, safety and regulatory compliance.

For dynamic working environments, where visibility and frequent access to materials is a priority, a glass-door refrigerator is a good solution.

Conversely, for long-term storage of sensitive materials while ensuring high energy efficiency and strict control of storage conditions, a solid door is the optimal option.

Whether your priority is safety, high quality storage or energy efficiency, Evermed has the right solution for you: explore the site or contact us for more information!