VWR HC-MFP-20 Laboratory Freezer

VWR HC-MFP-20 Laboratory Freezer – 20 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost

The VWR HC-MFP-20 Laboratory Freezer is a 20 cu. ft. upright manual-defrost freezer designed for reliable frozen storage of laboratory reagents, biological materials, research samples, enzymes, analytical standards, and other temperature-sensitive inventory. With an adjustable operating range of -15°C to -25°C, the HC-MFP-20 is well suited for laboratories requiring dependable approximately -20°C frozen storage.

Designed as part of the VWR Standard Series, the HC-MFP-20 combines forced-draft air circulation, microprocessor temperature control, dual temperature probes, audible and visual temperature alarms, remote alarm contacts, probe access, and a keyed door lock in a cost-effective full-size laboratory freezer.

The unit also uses R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant, providing an environmentally conscious refrigeration platform while maintaining the performance required for scientific and industrial cold-storage applications.

This used VWR HC-MFP-20 freezer is refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty from AIE.

Key Features

• 20 cu. ft. laboratory freezer capacity

• Adjustable temperature range from -15°C to -25°C

• Ideal for approximately -20°C laboratory storage

• Manual-defrost refrigeration system

• Forced-draft air circulation

• R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant

• Microprocessor temperature controller

• Digital temperature display switchable between °C and °F

• Audible and visual high- and low-temperature alarms

• Remote alarm contacts for external monitoring

• Two temperature probes: one in chamber air and one in a sample bottle

• Six fixed shelves

• 3/4" rear probe access port

• Keyed door lock

• Right-hinged solid door

• High-density urethane foam insulation

• White powder-coated steel exterior

• ETL and C-ETL listed and certified to UL471

• 115 V, 60 Hz operation

• Refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange

• 90-day AIE warranty included

Overview

The VWR HC-MFP-20 is designed for laboratories that need substantial -20°C-class frozen storage capacity without moving into the significantly colder operating range, higher acquisition cost, and greater energy requirements associated with an ultra-low temperature freezer.

Its 20 cu. ft. chamber provides enough capacity for a significant inventory of samples, reagents, enzymes, standards, and other frozen laboratory materials while maintaining the convenient access of a single-door upright cabinet.

Temperature is controlled by a microprocessor-based controller with a digital display, allowing users to monitor chamber temperature directly from the front of the freezer. The display can be switched between Celsius and Fahrenheit according to laboratory preference.

The HC-MFP-20 also incorporates forced-draft circulation, helping distribute cold air throughout the storage chamber. This is particularly important in a full-size laboratory freezer, where stored materials may be distributed across multiple shelves and different areas of the cabinet.

Six fixed shelves provide clearly defined storage areas for organizing samples and inventory. Laboratories can dedicate individual shelves to specific projects, departments, researchers, sample types, or materials to simplify retrieval and reduce unnecessary door-open time.

For biotechnology companies, research institutions, pharmaceutical facilities, and other laboratories replacing an aging -20°C freezer, a refurbished VWR HC-MFP-20 can provide a cost-effective alternative to purchasing comparable new cold-storage equipment.

Common Applications

The VWR HC-MFP-20 is designed for frozen storage applications requiring temperatures between -15°C and -25°C. Typical materials may include laboratory reagents, enzymes, biological specimens, research samples, analytical standards, diagnostic materials, controls, research compounds, and other products specified for approximately -20°C storage.

Its combination of a 20 cu. ft. chamber and six shelves makes the freezer appropriate for both general-purpose laboratory cold storage and organized departmental inventories.

Applications may include molecular biology, biotechnology research, pharmaceutical development, biomedical research, analytical chemistry, clinical research, diagnostic testing, industrial quality control, and academic research.

Researchers should always follow the specified storage requirements for individual samples, reagents, and products rather than assuming all frozen laboratory materials are appropriate for -20°C storage.

Ideal Laboratory Types

The VWR HC-MFP-20 is well suited for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, universities, academic research institutions, molecular biology laboratories, biomedical research facilities, hospitals, clinical research organizations, analytical laboratories, diagnostic facilities, and industrial quality-control laboratories.

Its 20 cu. ft. capacity makes it particularly useful for laboratories that have outgrown compact or undercounter freezers but do not require ultra-low temperature storage.

The HC-MFP-20 can serve as a primary -20°C laboratory freezer or as supplemental frozen storage in larger facilities with multiple cold-storage systems.

Temperature Recovery & Uniformity

The VWR HC-MFP-20 incorporates forced-draft air circulation to help distribute cooled air throughout its 20 cu. ft. chamber. Active circulation is especially useful in a full-height cabinet containing multiple shelves and a substantial inventory of frozen materials.

The freezer's microprocessor control system continuously monitors chamber conditions, while its two-probe configuration provides temperature measurement in both the chamber air and a sample bottle.

This combination provides a more useful picture of freezer performance than relying exclusively on an air-temperature measurement. Air temperature can respond rapidly to a door opening, while a probe located in a sample bottle can provide a buffered measurement that better represents changes affecting stored materials.

The freezer is also equipped with audible and visual high- and low-temperature alarms, providing an additional layer of protection if chamber conditions move outside acceptable limits.

Temperature recovery following a door opening will vary according to ambient conditions, freezer loading, door-open duration, sample mass, ventilation, and refrigeration-system condition.

Keeping the six shelves organized so materials can be retrieved quickly can help minimize door-open time and reduce unnecessary temperature disturbances.

Sample Storage Recommendations

The HC-MFP-20's six fixed shelves provide convenient separation of frozen inventory. Laboratories can assign shelves according to research group, project, sample type, reagent class, or frequency of access.

Frequently used materials should be stored where they can be located and retrieved quickly. Less frequently accessed inventory can be positioned elsewhere in the chamber to reduce unnecessary searching with the freezer door open.

Stored materials should not be arranged in a manner that interferes with normal air circulation. Maintaining appropriate spacing around inventory allows the freezer's forced-draft system to circulate cooled air throughout the chamber.

Because this is a manual-defrost freezer, frost and ice accumulation should also be monitored. Periodic defrosting is necessary to prevent excessive ice buildup from reducing usable storage space or affecting normal freezer operation.

High-value or irreplaceable samples should be supported by appropriate laboratory procedures, including independent temperature monitoring where warranted, documented alarm-response procedures, backup frozen-storage capacity, and contingency plans for equipment or power failure.

The HC-MFP-20 should not be used as a substitute for an ultra-low temperature freezer when samples require approximately -80°C storage.

Key Specifications

Energy Efficiency & Operating Costs

The VWR HC-MFP-20 uses R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant, which VWR selected as part of the Standard Series design for environmental and energy-efficiency considerations.

For laboratories requiring approximately -20°C storage, a conventional laboratory freezer such as the HC-MFP-20 can also be a more appropriate solution than operating an ultra-low temperature freezer for materials that do not require -80°C conditions.

Installation and operating practices have a significant effect on refrigeration performance. VWR specifies that the HC-MFP-20 requires 4 inches of clearance around the back and sides of the cabinet for proper ventilation.

This clearance is important because heat generated by the refrigeration system must be able to dissipate into the surrounding environment. Inadequate ventilation can contribute to temperature-maintenance problems, overheating, increased compressor stress, and potential equipment failure.

Laboratories can further reduce unnecessary refrigeration demand by minimizing prolonged door openings, keeping the freezer organized, maintaining a good door seal, and performing periodic manual defrosting before severe ice buildup develops.

Actual energy consumption will depend on ambient temperature, freezer setpoint, sample loading, door-opening frequency, ventilation, frost accumulation, and refrigeration-system condition.

Refurbishment & Testing

This VWR HC-MFP-20 laboratory freezer is supplied used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange.

Before shipment, our technicians inspect, clean, and test the freezer to verify proper operation. Temperature-controlled laboratory equipment is tested using NIST-traceable temperature probes and data logging equipment as appropriate to evaluate temperature performance.

The HC-MFP-20 is operated under frozen-storage conditions to verify its ability to reach and maintain temperatures within its specified operating range. Temperature performance is monitored over time rather than relying solely on the freezer's front-panel display.

Our technicians also inspect the refrigeration system, microprocessor controller, digital display, temperature alarms, remote alarm functionality as applicable, temperature probes, door, hinges, keyed lock, gasket, shelves, probe access port, electrical components, and cabinet.

The freezer is checked for excessive frost or ice accumulation and manually defrosted as necessary during preparation. The interior chamber, shelves, door surfaces, and exterior cabinet are thoroughly cleaned before the unit is released for shipment.

Worn or defective components are repaired or replaced as necessary during the refurbishment process.

Customers with specific temperature-testing, documentation, or application requirements are encouraged to discuss those requirements with American Instrument Exchange before shipment. When practical, our technicians can accommodate application-specific testing requests during the refurbishment process.

This refurbished VWR HC-MFP-20 includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.

Shipping & Installation

The VWR HC-MFP-20 measures approximately 30.75"W × 29"D × 74.625"H, making it a full-height upright laboratory freezer. Customers should verify delivery-path clearance through loading docks, doorways, hallways, elevators, and laboratory entrances before shipment.

The freezer requires 115 V, 60 Hz electrical service, draws 5.5 A, and uses a NEMA 5-15 plug.

Installation planning should account for more than cabinet dimensions alone. VWR specifies 4 inches of ventilation clearance around the back and sides of the freezer. This clearance should not be eliminated by pushing the cabinet tightly against walls, adjacent equipment, or laboratory casework.

The door requires approximately 28.75 inches of swing clearance, and total cabinet depth with the door fully open is approximately 57.75 inches.

After transportation and placement, the freezer should be allowed to stabilize as appropriate before being brought to operating temperature. Laboratories should verify satisfactory temperature performance before transferring valuable frozen inventory into the chamber.

American Instrument Exchange can arrange freight transportation throughout the United States and internationally. Customers requiring liftgate service, inside delivery, rigging, or specialized handling should discuss those requirements with AIE before shipment.

Related Laboratory Equipment

Laboratories requiring additional frozen storage can browse American Instrument Exchange's selection of laboratory freezers, including manual-defrost, automatic-defrost, upright, undercounter, and specialty laboratory freezers from VWR, Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific, Panasonic, PHCbi, and other major manufacturers.

For biological samples requiring approximately -80°C storage rather than conventional -20°C conditions, AIE maintains a large inventory of refurbished ultra-low temperature freezers.

Materials requiring refrigerated rather than frozen storage can be accommodated by our selection of laboratory refrigerators, including solid-door, glass-door, chromatography, and undercounter models.

American Instrument Exchange also offers refurbished centrifuges, CO₂ incubators, and biosafety cabinets for laboratories replacing or expanding essential research equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range of the VWR HC-MFP-20?

The VWR HC-MFP-20 has an adjustable temperature range of -15°C to -25°C, making it suitable for many laboratory materials requiring approximately -20°C frozen storage.

How large is the VWR HC-MFP-20?

The freezer provides 20 cu. ft. of storage capacity and includes six fixed shelves.

Its exterior dimensions are approximately 30.75"W × 29"D × 74.625"H.

Is the VWR HC-MFP-20 a manual-defrost freezer?

Yes. The HC-MFP-20 uses a manual-defrost refrigeration system. VWR recommends periodic defrosting to prevent severe ice buildup.

Manual-defrost freezers are commonly used in scientific environments because they avoid the automatic warming cycles associated with conventional automatic-defrost systems.

What refrigerant does the HC-MFP-20 use?

The HC-MFP-20 uses R290 natural hydrocarbon refrigerant.

Does the VWR HC-MFP-20 have temperature alarms?

Yes. The freezer includes audible and visual high- and low-temperature alarms to alert laboratory personnel to abnormal temperature conditions.

Can the HC-MFP-20 connect to an external alarm system?

Yes. The freezer includes remote alarm contacts, allowing it to interface with compatible external monitoring or building alarm systems.

Why does the HC-MFP-20 use two temperature probes?

The freezer incorporates two probes: one measuring chamber air and another located in a sample bottle.

The air probe responds more quickly to changes in chamber conditions, while the sample-bottle probe provides a buffered measurement that can more closely represent temperature changes affecting stored materials.

Does the HC-MFP-20 have a probe access port?

Yes. A 3/4-inch rear wall access port allows compatible independent monitoring probes or other approved instrumentation to enter the chamber without routing wiring through the door gasket.

Is the VWR HC-MFP-20 an ultra-low temperature freezer?

No. The HC-MFP-20 is a conventional laboratory freezer with a range of -15°C to -25°C. Ultra-low temperature freezers are designed for substantially colder storage, commonly around -80°C.

How much ventilation clearance does the HC-MFP-20 require?

VWR specifies 4 inches of clearance around the back and sides of the freezer for proper ventilation.

Adequate clearance is important for heat dissipation and reliable refrigeration-system operation.

What electrical service does the VWR HC-MFP-20 require?

The HC-MFP-20 operates on 115 V, 60 Hz power, is rated at 5.5 A, and uses a NEMA 5-15 plug.

How does American Instrument Exchange test a refurbished VWR HC-MFP-20?

American Instrument Exchange operates and tests refurbished laboratory freezers before shipment. NIST-traceable temperature probes and data logging equipment are used as appropriate to evaluate temperature performance over time.

The refrigeration system, controller, alarms, probes, electrical components, door hardware, gasket, shelves, and cabinet are also inspected for proper operation and physical condition.

Does this refurbished VWR HC-MFP-20 include a warranty?

Yes. This used and refurbished VWR HC-MFP-20 laboratory freezer includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange unless otherwise noted.