Insulated vessel for long-term sample storage in liquid nitrogen
Live listings for Thermo Scientific (formerly Forma Cryomed) · CryoPlus
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Before you buy — what to inspect
The absolute best choice for used dewars if vacuum integrity can be confirmed. MVE units from the 1990s-2000s still perform excellently if properly maintained. The vacuum technology is so robust that 20-year-old units often still achieve 70-80% of original holding time. Parts readily available, and Chart still services legacy models. For vapor phase units, the technology was perfected early and hasn't changed significantly, so older models perform nearly as well as new. Priority check is vacuum integrity—if that's good, these are essentially bulletproof. Expect to pay 50-70% of new for units less than 10 years old with verified vacuum performance.
Checklist: Demand professional vacuum test or minimum fill with LN2 to measure actual evaporation rate. Check neck tube for frost patterns indicating vacuum loss. Verify all original racking included. Test alarm systems if present. Inspect for physical damage during moves (common failure point). Request maintenance logs showing vacuum recertification history.
Thermo's acquisition of multiple cryogenic brands means varied quality depending on era and original manufacturer. Post-2010 Thermo branded units are excellent and incorporate best practices from acquired companies. Earlier Forma Cryomed units (pre-2005) are solid workhorses with good vacuum longevity. The Locator series with electronic inventory is valuable if software/licenses transfer. Used market pricing often favorable compared to MVE despite comparable performance because MVE has stronger brand recognition. Good service network through Thermo. Verify which original manufacturer produced the specific unit—some rebadged MVE technology is virtually identical.
Checklist: Verify vacuum performance through holding time test. For Locator series, confirm software licenses and access codes transfer with sale. Check if alarm systems are functional and can be recalibrated. Inspect for proper grounding (important for electronic units). Test casters—these units are heavy and damaged casters are expensive to replace. Confirm included racking matches your needs—Thermo uses proprietary sizes.
Solid mid-tier option that often available at significant discounts (40-60% below comparable MVE units). Construction quality good but vacuum performance degrades faster than premium brands—expect 60-70% of original holding time after 10 years vs 80%+ for MVE. Parts availability reasonable but some older models orphaned. These are workhorses for non-critical applications where sample loss risk is tolerable. The value proposition is strong if purchasing from known lab with good maintenance history. Avoid units older than 15 years unless vacuum recently recertified professionally.
Checklist: Critical to measure actual holding time—Taylor-Wharton specs were sometimes optimistic. Check for nitrogen leak at neck seal—common failure point. Verify pressure relief valve operation. Inspect welds for any cracks (more common than with MVE). Test casters under load. Confirm included racking is complete—replacement parts harder to source than for major brands.
Smaller manufacturer with good vapor phase technology but limited market presence. Units perform well when properly maintained but service network sparse outside major research hubs. Replacement parts can have long lead times. The vapor phase design is solid and eliminates contamination risk effectively. Pricing on used market is very favorable—often 50-60% below MVE for comparable capacity because of brand recognition gap. Good choice for labs with technical staff capable of basic maintenance and troubleshooting. Avoid if you need rapid service response or extensive GMP documentation. Best suited for academic research environments.
Checklist: Vacuum integrity critical—no easy way to service these if vacuum fails. Verify vapor phase functionality by checking sample temperatures at various heights with thermal probe. Inspect lid seal carefully—proprietary design and replacements may be unavailable. Test alarm systems—electronics often proprietary and irreparable. Confirm racking system complete—custom sizes make replacement difficult.
Budget new alternatives
Mid-sized research labs prioritizing value over maximum longevity
Biobanks and large sample repositories requiring integrated inventory management
Cryogenic storage dewars provide ultra-low temperature storage by maintaining liquid nitrogen (LN2) at -196°C for months at a time. The core technology is a double-walled vacuum chamber similar to a massive thermos bottle—the vacuum between walls prevents heat transfer, while the liquid nitrogen provides the cooling. Inside, samples are organized using racking systems that hold cryovials, straws, or other storage containers in indexed positions for easy retrieval. The critical performance metric is static holding time—how many days the dewar can maintain LN2 without refilling under normal conditions. Quality dewars achieve 50-150+ days depending on size and design. Dewars come in two main configurations: vapor phase (samples stored above liquid in nitrogen vapor, reducing contamination risk) and liquid phase (samples submerged directly in LN2, providing maximum cooling but higher cross-contamination potential). Modern dewars include alarm systems, monitoring ports, pressure relief valves, and sophisticated inventory management systems. The key advantage over mechanical freezers is reliability—no moving parts means no mechanical failures, and samples remain safe even during extended power outages as long as LN2 is present.
Chart MVE (formerly MVE) has been the gold standard in cryogenic storage for over 50 years with the most reliable vacuum technology in the industry. Their HEco series offers exceptional static holding times (100-180+ days depending on model), proven vapor phase technology that virtually eliminates cross-contamination risk, and a track record of 20+ year service life. The company provides comprehensive service networks, readily available parts, and the most extensive validation documentation for regulated environments. Research institutions, biobanks, and IVF clinics worldwide trust MVE for irreplaceable sample protection. Their dewars maintain vacuum integrity far longer than competitors, and the company offers vacuum warranty programs. The HEco series specifically optimized the balance of capacity, holding time, and footprint that became the de facto standard.
What you lose: Going budget means significantly shorter holding time (60-90 days vs 120-180 days), meaning more frequent and expensive LN2 refills. You lose vacuum longevity—budget units may need replacement in 5-7 years vs 20+ years for premium brands. No GMP validation documentation means these can't be used in regulated environments. Inferior alarm systems or none at all. Less sophisticated racking systems make sample organization harder. Shorter warranty periods. Limited or no service network. Lower quality materials mean higher risk of corrosion and contamination. Most critically, you lose peace of mind—the risk of vacuum failure and sample loss is substantially higher.
What you keep: You still get the fundamental cryogenic storage functionality—samples will freeze to -196°C and stay frozen. Basic vacuum insulation works adequately for the unit's shorter lifespan. You keep the core advantage over mechanical freezers: passive cooling with no electrical requirements during power outages (as long as LN2 present). You get reasonable static holding time for labs with frequent LN2 deliveries. Most budget units include basic racking systems that function adequately if not elegantly. The fundamental physics of liquid nitrogen storage works regardless of price point—you're just accepting higher running costs and shorter service life.
For GMP environments (pharma, clinical, IVF), dewars must have validated alarm systems with remote monitoring capability, documented temperature mapping studies, and backup alarm power. Vapor phase dewars strongly preferred to prevent cross-contamination between samples. Electronic inventory management with 21 CFR Part 11 compliance is often required. Units must have calibrated temperature monitoring with regular recertification (typically annually). Change control procedures needed for any maintenance. Full IQ/OQ/PQ documentation required for new or relocated units. Some facilities require dual alarm systems and automatic notification to multiple personnel. Consider units with integrated backup battery systems for alarms during power failures.