If you are running an IVF laboratory or fertility clinic in the UK and need to choose a liquid nitrogen dewar, the decision matters more than most people realise. The wrong vessel can compromise sample integrity, create safety hazards for your team, and cost far more in liquid nitrogen consumption over time than the purchase price ever suggested.

This guide covers the best options available to UK labs in 2026, what to look for before you buy, and the questions your procurement team should be asking.

What is a liquid nitrogen dewar and why does your IVF lab need one?

A liquid nitrogen dewar is a vacuum-insulated storage vessel designed to hold biological samples at cryogenic temperatures, typically at or below -196 degrees Celsius. In IVF laboratories, dewars store frozen embryos, oocytes, and sperm straws for long-term preservation.

The quality of your dewar directly affects:

• How long your liquid nitrogen hold time lasts between refills
• The stability of temperature inside the vessel
• The safety of the staff handling it
• The organisation and traceability of your sample inventory

Choosing a dewar is not simply a buying decision. It is a clinical infrastructure decision.

What to look for in a liquid nitrogen dewar for IVF use

Before looking at specific vessels, these are the criteria that matter most for fertility clinic and embryology lab use in the UK.

Hold time. This is how long the vessel maintains cryogenic temperature without a refill. Longer hold times mean less maintenance burden on your team and fewer opportunities for temperature fluctuation. For busy NHS or private fertility units, hold times of 100 days or more are worth prioritising.

Storage capacity. Measured in litres of liquid nitrogen and number of samples or canisters the vessel can accommodate. A small clinic with 500 stored embryos has very different needs from a large NHS unit managing thousands of samples across multiple cycles.

Neck diameter. A wider neck makes sample retrieval and inventory management significantly easier. Narrow necks cause more liquid nitrogen loss per access and create ergonomic challenges for repeated daily use.

Safety features. Locking lids, secure canister systems, anti-tipping bases, and compatibility with oxygen depletion monitoring systems are all worth specifying before purchase.

Compliance. Any vessel used in a licensed UK IVF clinic must be suitable for use under HFEA regulations. Your dewar supplier should be able to confirm suitability and provide appropriate documentation.

The best liquid nitrogen dewars for IVF labs in the UK

CryoNest Series by Cryolab

The CryoNest series is designed specifically for IVF laboratory environments and is one of the most widely used storage vessels across UK fertility clinics. Available in multiple sizes, the CryoNest range offers exceptional hold times, a practical canister system that makes sample organisation straightforward, and build quality that reflects decades of use in clinical settings.

What sets CryoNest apart for UK labs is the combination of hold time performance and the canister configuration, which suits the goblet and visotube systems most UK embryologists already use. The vessels are robust, reliable, and come with full support from Cryolab’s team, who have supplied IVF laboratories in the UK for over 40 years.

Cryolab offers the CryoNest in configurations ranging from smaller bench units suitable for satellite clinics through to large-capacity vessels suited to high-volume NHS fertility departments.

View the CryoNest series here.

CryoCan Series by Cryolab

The CryoCan range offers a reliable mid-range option for labs that need solid performance at a more accessible price point. These vessels are well suited to smaller private clinics or satellite units where sample volumes are lower but quality of storage is equally non-negotiable.

The CryoCan vessels use a traditional open dewar design and are compatible with standard canisters and goblet systems. They provide dependable hold times and are a practical choice for labs adding storage capacity without significantly increasing running costs.

View the CryoCan range here.

Dilvac Stainless Steel Dewars

For labs that need a non-glass inner construction, the Dilvac stainless steel dewars are worth considering. These are particularly useful where robustness is a priority, for example in transport situations or where the vessel is handled by multiple staff members in a busy department.

Dilvac vessels are available in a range of capacities and offer a dependable performance record. They are available through Cryolab and come with the same level of after-sales support as the full product range.

CryoNest vs CryoCan: which is right for your lab?

The most common question Cryolab hears from IVF lab managers is whether to choose a CryoNest or CryoCan vessel for a new installation or a replacement.

The straightforward answer is this. If you are managing a significant ongoing embryo and gamete inventory, particularly in an NHS or large private fertility setting, the CryoNest is the better long-term investment. The hold time performance and canister system are designed for exactly that level of clinical use.

If you are a smaller clinic or satellite unit, or adding a supplementary vessel rather than replacing your primary storage, the CryoCan provides excellent value and reliable performance without the premium investment.

What UK IVF labs often overlook when buying a dewar

After supplying fertility clinics across the UK for over 40 years, there are a few mistakes that come up repeatedly when labs are choosing their storage vessels.

Underestimating future capacity needs. Embryo storage loads tend to grow. A vessel that suits your current inventory may be restrictive within three years. Where budget allows, buying slightly above current capacity is almost always the right call.

Ignoring liquid nitrogen consumption rates. Some cheaper vessels appear attractive on purchase price but consume significantly more liquid nitrogen over their working life. Over five years, the running cost difference can exceed the original price gap considerably.

Not specifying compatibility with existing consumables. Your dewar needs to be compatible with the canisters, goblets, visotubes and cryocanes your lab already uses. Cryolab’s team can advise on compatibility before purchase and ensure you are not having to change your entire consumable setup alongside the vessel.

Missing service and support requirements. In a regulated IVF setting, vessel servicing and documentation matter. Choosing a supplier who can provide ongoing support, service documentation and rapid response to issues is as important as the vessel specification itself.

Why Cryolab for liquid nitrogen storage in UK IVF labs

Cryolab has been supplying IVF laboratories and fertility clinics across the UK for over 40 years. We supply NHS trusts, private fertility groups and research institutions with the full range of cryogenic storage equipment needed to run a compliant, efficient laboratory.

Our team understands the specific requirements of HFEA-regulated settings and can advise on vessel selection, canister configuration, consumable compatibility and ongoing maintenance needs.

We hold ISO 9001:2015 certification and our product range covers everything from storage vessels and dry shippers through to straws, vitrification kits, safety wear and laboratory consumables.

Browse our full liquid nitrogen storage range here. For enquiries, contact the Cryolab team directly via cryolab.co.uk