Ice Buckets and Cooling
Ice buckets and cooling for chilling samples and reagents at the bench - foam and molded ice buckets and ice pans, reusable cooling blocks and cold racks for tubes, PCR strips and microplates, benchtop coolers that hold temperature without ice, and gel and cold packs. Available in round and rectangular buckets with lids, and cooling blocks sized for 0.2 mL through 50 mL tubes and 96-well plates. Formats cover disposable foam and durable molded designs. Wholesale case pricing for molecular, clinical and research labs, with standing orders on high-turn buckets and cooling blocks.
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Ice Buckets and Cooling for Bench-Side Sample Chilling
Ice buckets and cooling equipment hold samples and reagents cold at the bench during prep, enzymatic work and PCR setup. This category covers ice buckets and pans, reusable cooling blocks and cold racks, benchtop coolers and cold packs sized to the tubes and plates used across the lab.
Cooling Format Formats Stocked
- Ice buckets and pans - Round and rectangular foam and molded polyurethane buckets and shallow ice pans with lids, for holding crushed ice at the bench in disposable and reusable styles.
- Cooling blocks - Reusable cooling blocks and cold blocks that pre-chill in the freezer and hold temperature for 0.2 mL PCR tubes, 1.5 mL microtubes and larger tubes during setup.
- Cold racks and microplate coolers - Freezer-charged racks and plate coolers that keep tubes, strips and 96-well plates cold on the bench without ice.
- Benchtop coolers - Insulated benchtop coolers with phase-change cores that hold a set temperature for extended enzymatic and molecular work.
- Gel and cold packs - Reusable gel and cold packs for buckets, coolers and transport chilling.
Cooling Format Comparison
| Format | Cooling Method | Holds | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice bucket / pan | Crushed ice | Tubes, bottles | General bench chilling |
| Cooling block | Freezer-charged | 0.2-50 mL tubes | PCR setup, enzyme work |
| Cold rack | Freezer-charged | Tubes, strips, plates | Ice-free bench cooling |
| Microplate cooler | Freezer-charged | 96-well plates | Assay and plate chilling |
| Benchtop cooler | Phase-change core | Tubes, samples | Extended cold work |
Ice Versus Reusable Cooling Blocks
Bench cooling splits between wet ice and ice-free blocks. Ice buckets and pans hold crushed ice for general chilling and are the low-cost option, though ice melts and wets samples.
Ice buckets and cooling blocks are steady bench supplies in molecular and enzymatic workflows, with foam buckets reordered as they wear and cooling blocks replaced through handling. Standing orders on common bucket sizes and tube-format cooling blocks keep cold-side prep supplied. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ice bucket and a reusable cooling block?
An ice bucket holds crushed ice for general bench chilling at low cost, but the ice melts and can wet samples and labels. A reusable cooling block charges in the freezer and holds temperature dry for a set period, giving even contact for tubes or plates without meltwater. Labs use buckets for general chilling and blocks for PCR and enzymatic setup.
What tube and plate formats do cooling blocks fit?
Cooling blocks and cold racks are stocked for 0.2 mL PCR tubes and strips, 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL microtubes, larger conical tubes, and 96-well microplates. The block is matched to the tube or plate footprint so samples sit evenly in contact with the cold surface. The compatible format is listed on each product page.
Are foam and molded ice buckets both stocked?
Yes. Lightweight foam buckets and pans are the economy option and are often treated as semi-disposable, while molded polyurethane buckets are more durable for repeated use and have better insulation. Both are stocked in round and rectangular shapes with lids in a range of capacities listed on each product page.
Can hospitals and labs order ice buckets and cooling products in bulk?
Yes. Ice buckets and cooling products are stocked in case quantities for molecular and research labs, clinical and reference facilities, and biotech sites. Standing orders cover the highest-volume SKUs, including foam ice buckets, 0.2 mL PCR cooling blocks and microplate coolers. Contact our procurement team for tiered case pricing and standing order setup.
What bench cooling should a laboratory stock on its formulary?
A working bench cooling stock list typically includes foam or molded ice buckets and pans for general chilling, reusable cooling blocks sized to the site's PCR tubes and microtubes, cold racks and microplate coolers for ice-free work, and gel or cold packs for coolers and transport. MAP Medical builds consolidated packages by facility type and testing volume - contact our team for an assessment.