Best cryovials for liquid nitrogen storage of cells? - (Nov/20/2014 )

What type of cryovial (internal vs external threads) is best for cell storage in liquid nitrogen?

Also, are there any vials specifically labeled for us in the liquid phase? Many vials have a caution against this, but some have no caution. It's not clear to me that there is any differnece between the "caution" and the "non-caution" vials. Does it matter? Thanks.

Dear Artemis2007,

It is my experience that cryovials with internal threads AND also an O-Ring are the best ones to use. I have never heard of caution or non-cautions vials. There was a safety notice that was advertised a few years ago that suggested that the vials I have recommended are the best ones to use.

Years ago when I first started freezing cells down we used glass vials that we then sealed using a flame. The glass vial was then opened using a glass file. This was deemed dangerous in the 1980's when plastic cryovials became available. You have to remember that in those days (1970's) we used everything in glass i.e. roux bottles and glass pipettes.

Hope this is useful

Kindest regards

Uncle Rhombus

Thanks for your reply. Internal threads and o ring sounds much better that flame-sealed glass. Yikes.