What we move
- ULT freezers (−80 °C)
- −20 °C freezers and lab refrigerators
- CO2 incubators
- Growth chambers and shakers
- Liquid nitrogen dewars (empty)
- Pharmaceutical refrigerators
Our process
- 01Sample plan
We agree with the lab where samples will wait: a backup freezer, dry ice or a portable freezer.
- 02Emptying and preparation
The lab empties and defrosts per its procedure. We secure shelves and doors.
- 03Upright transport
The freezer stays upright throughout, strapped in a shock-absorbing truck.
- 04Placement and waiting
Placed at the new site and left switched off for the time the manufacturer recommends before start-up.
Why a freezer must stay upright
A freezer has a compressor with oil. Laid down, the oil can flow into the lines and cause damage at start-up. So freezers travel upright, and after placement you wait before switching on.
Incubators and growth chambers
A CO2 incubator needs its gas cylinders disconnected, the water pan dried and shelves secured. After placement the lab reconnects the gas and waits for stabilisation before putting cultures back.
Common questions about moving −80 °c freezers and incubators
Can a freezer be moved with samples inside?
Usually not recommended. Samples are moved separately on dry ice or in a portable freezer, so they are not at risk if the move takes longer.
How long should I wait before switching on?
It depends on the manufacturer and how it was transported. Keeping it upright shortens the wait; we check the instructions for your model.
Do you move liquid nitrogen dewars?
We move empty dewars. Filling and liquid nitrogen transport are handled by the licensed supplier.
How do you get a large freezer down from an upper floor?
If it does not fit the elevator or exceeds its load, we bring a crane and lower it upright, strapped and padded.