Used ULT Freezers & Lab Freezers

The temperature rating decides the refrigeration system. A -20°C lab freezer typically uses single-stage refrigeration, much like a commercial freezer with tighter control. Most ULT freezers reach -80°C with two-stage cascade refrigeration, where one circuit cools the condenser of a second. Nearly every ULT in this category is a two-stage design. Many older units run R-404A and R-508B refrigerants, and many newer ones run natural hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R290 and R170. Ratings here range from -20°C to -86°C for mechanical freezers.

Cabinet style affects access and how well a freezer holds temperature. Upright ULT freezers are the most common style, with shelves and segmented inner doors that limit warm air when one compartment opens. Chest freezers generally hold temperature better when the lid opens, because cold air stays in the cabinet, and they suit long-term storage that is rarely accessed. Large ultra-low storage chambers hold thousands of freezer boxes, for biobanks and large sample collections. Countertop and undercounter units fit at the bench.

Liquid nitrogen storage freezers and vial vessels hold samples in or above liquid nitrogen for long-term frozen storage, and some refill themselves from a supply tank.

Controlled-rate freezers do a different job. They are process equipment rather than storage: they run a programmed, repeatable freezing profile that brings cells and biologics down to temperature at a set rate. Most inject liquid nitrogen, and some newer designs use an electric cryocooler instead. Once frozen, the samples move to a storage freezer.

Model series recur in this category, and buyers tend to search by them. We handle Thermo Fisher Scientific TSX ULT freezers, Thermo Scientific Forma ULT freezers and Cryoplus liquid nitrogen freezers, Revco ULT freezers, Fisher Scientific Isotemp freezers, VWR ULT freezers, and Panasonic and Sanyo MDF-U ULT freezers. Sanyo VIP series units and MVE liquid nitrogen equipment turn up regularly too.

What to check before buying.

• The operating temperature you need, and usable capacity in racks or freezer boxes, not only cubic feet
• Exterior dimensions, door swing, access clearance, and the electrical supply at the install location
• The testing performed on the unit, including pull-down and recovery after door openings, plus service records and alarm and remote monitoring connections
• Compressor age and refrigerant type on mechanical freezers
• Racks, inventory systems, and other accessories included with the unit
• For liquid nitrogen equipment, vapor-phase or liquid-phase storage, holding time between fills, and the supply connection

Looking for a freeze dryer instead? Freeze dryers remove water from product under vacuum rather than store it cold. See our used freeze dryers and lyophilizers.

Applications & Industries

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: -80°C storage for reference standards, retained samples, and temperature-sensitive materials, plus -20°C storage for reagents and kits.
• Biotechnology: cell banks and biologics in liquid nitrogen freezers, with controlled-rate freezers for cryopreservation.
• Laboratory and research: upright and chest ULT freezers for sample storage, and countertop and undercounter freezers for bench-side reagents.
• Biobanking and sample storage: large ultra-low storage chambers and banks of upright ULT freezers for large sample collections.
• Cold chain logistics: banks of upright ULT freezers for distribution hubs and depots that hold vaccines, specimens, and clinical trial materials at -80°C.
• Food and beverage: commercial upright and chest freezers for ingredient and product storage.

Specifications & Configurations

Freezer types. ULT freezers, -20°C laboratory freezers, liquid nitrogen freezers and vial storage vessels, controlled-rate freezers, and ultra-low storage chambers.

Common features. Segmented inner doors, shelves, chart recorders, stainless steel sample racks on liquid nitrogen units, and casters on some liquid nitrogen units.

Why Buy Used

A used ULT freezer typically costs a fraction of the new price, and in-stock units can ship without the wait for a new build. That matters most when a lab is adding capacity quickly, replacing a failed unit, or outfitting a new suite with several freezers at once.

The cabinet and insulation on a laboratory freezer last for many years. The parts that wear are the compressors, door gaskets, and fans, and all of them can be serviced or replaced. Before buying, confirm the testing performed on the specific unit and any additional testing your application needs.

Every unit is inspected when it arrives at our Cleveland, OH facility, and it is available for customer inspection before purchase. Refurbishment and testing can be arranged upon request. Temperature mapping and validation for your application remain with the buyer.

Related Equipment

• Used Refrigerators
• Used Incubators
• Used Freeze Dryers & Lyophilizers
• Used Lab Centrifuges
• Used Lab Equipment