We keep ours on 24-7 at -23.  The only time we shut them down is once a
month for defrosting and cleaning.

Juan C. Gutierrez, HT(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
(210)704-2533
Juan_Gutierrez@srhc.iwhs.org


-----Original Message-----
From: jason madore [mailto:kosmicdog@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 2:08 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: cryostat maintenance


I routinely section my specimens at -20. Is it neccassary to keep the 
cryostat at -20 when it isnt being used? There is some concern that the 
heating and cooling could causing it to wear out the system or damage the 
microtome? Do people shut off their cryostats if they aren't going to be 
using them for an extended period of time? the weekend? overnight?... 
anyways might seem like a silly question but thanks for any help.
Jason.

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