There is a moment every embryologist and lab manager will recognise. The nitrogen level is dropping faster than expected, the canister system does not quite fit your workflow and you are standing in front of a vessel that was probably right for someone else’s lab just not yours.

Choosing the wrong liquid nitrogen storage vessel is not merely inconvenient. At −196°C, the margin for error is zero. Samples that took years of patient care to produce embryos, oocytes, sperm, stem cells, tissue biopsies depend entirely on the quality and suitability of the vessel keeping them safe.

This article cuts through the noise. We are comparing two distinct families of cryogenic storage vessels: the large-capacity CryoNest® Series, built for high-volume IVF clinics and biobanks, and the compact CryoCan Series, engineered for precision storage in smaller labs and research facilities. Both are built to world-class standards. But they are designed for very different jobs.

Why the Right Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessel Matters More Than You Think

A liquid nitrogen storage vessel also called an LN2 dewar, cryogenic storage dewar, or nitrogen storage dewar is a vacuum-insulated container designed to hold liquid nitrogen at ultra-low temperatures. In IVF and reproductive medicine, these vessels are the last line of defence for irreplaceable biological material.

The right choice depends on four things: how much you store, how often you access it, how much floor space you have, and what your long-term cost of operation looks like. Get any one of those wrong, and the consequences compound quietly over months and years.

Let us look at each family in detail.

Large Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels: CryoNest® Series

CryoNest® Series is Cryolab’s flagship high-capacity storage range. Available in three models – XL, XXL and XXXL these are purpose-built for busy IVF units, reproductive medicine centres, biobanks and research institutions where sample volumes are large, access is frequent, and long-term reliability is non-negotiable.

CryoNest® XL – 95 Litres

The entry point to the CryoNest® range. The XL holds 95 litres of liquid nitrogen with a proprietary internal rack system offering six racks and up to 24 organised compartments. At 790mm tall and 678mm wide, it delivers high-capacity storage in a footprint smaller than most labs expect.

CryoNest® XXL – 145 Litres

A step up in capacity without a dramatic increase in footprint. The XXL holds 145 litres with six racks and up to 30 compartments, standing at 980mm tall and 678mm wide. Ideal for clinics managing growing patient lists without wanting to increase floor space committed to storage.

CryoNest® XXXL – 175 Litres

The largest vessel in the CryoNest® range and one of the most space-efficient high-capacity systems on the market. At 175 litres with six racks and up to 30 compartments, the XXXL handles the demands of the busiest IVF programmes. Dimensions: 1055mm tall x 678mm wide.

What Makes the CryoNest® Series Stand Out

• Proprietary internal rack system – retractable, lightweight and designed for fast sample retrieval even during peak clinic hours
• Advanced insulation minimising LN2 evaporation, reducing operational cost over time
• Compatible with a wide range of storage configurations: straws, vials, goblets, cassettes
• UKCA and CE marked, fully compliant for UK and European clinical environments
• Industry-leading 5-year vacuum warranty and 2-year parts warranty
• Trusted by IVF clinics, NHS hospitals, fertility research facilities, and biobanks across the UK and internationally

If you are running a high-throughput IVF programme, managing a growing biobank, or simply tired of refilling smaller vessels too frequently, the CryoNest® Series delivers the capacity, reliability, and organisation that a professional operation demands.

Explore the full CryoNest® Series

Compact Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels: CryoCan Series

Not every lab needs 175 litres. For smaller IVF units, research facilities, veterinary practices, and labs where sample organisation matters as much as sheer volume, the CryoCan Series offers something arguably more important: precisely the right amount of space, and nothing wasted.

CryoCan range comprises three models, all crafted from high-strength, lightweight aluminium alloy. They are designed for the long-term static storage of biological samples — and they outperform many well-known 47-litre vessels on the market in holding time and LN2 efficiency.

CryoCan 30-6 – 30 Litres, Six Canisters

The most compact model in the range. The CryoCan 30-6 holds 30 litres with six precision-engineered round canisters. Dimensions: 681mm tall x 451mm wide. With a static hold time of approximately 70 days and ultra-low LN2 consumption, it is ideal for smaller practices managing up to 2,000 straws. Lightweight and easy to handle, with optional roller base for added mobility.

CryoCan 47-6 – 47 Litres, Six Canisters

A larger capacity vessel maintaining the same compact and user-friendly design. The CryoCan 47-6 holds 47 litres with six round canisters — perfect for labs with expanding storage requirements that want an organised, efficient system without stepping up to a full rack-based vessel.

CryoCan 47-10 – 47 Litres, Ten Canisters

The most versatile model in the CryoCan range. Forty-seven litres with ten canisters means more compartments, better sample separation, and faster retrieval. Dimensions: 730mm tall x 508mm wide. Particularly popular with IVF labs managing multiple patient cohorts within a single vessel. Market-leading holding times and ultra-low LN2 consumption set it apart from comparable 47-litre dewars including the MVE XC 47/11 series.

What Makes the CryoCan Series Stand Out

• All three models crafted from high-strength, lightweight aluminium alloy
• Ultra-low LN2 consumption, holding times that exceed the most established 47-litre tanks on the market
• Compact footprint, maximises laboratory space without sacrificing storage capacity
• Round canisters supplied as standard for organised, accessible sample management
• UKCA and CE marked with 5-year vacuum warranty and 2-year parts warranty
• Roller bases available for all models
• Custom sizes from 3 to 35 litres available on request

If you are running a smaller IVF unit, a research lab or a veterinary practice storing bovine semen, CryoCan Series gives you professional-grade cryogenic storage without the footprint or cost of a large vessel.

Explore the full CryoCan Series

CryoNest® vs CryoCan: Decision Guide

Here is a straightforward way to think about it:

Factor	CryoNest® (Large)	CryoCan (Compact)
Capacity	95–175 litres	30–47 litres
Best for	Busy IVF clinics, biobanks, high-volume labs	Smaller labs, research units, vet practices
Sample access	Rack system, up to 30 compartments	Canister system, 6 or 10 canisters
Footprint	Compact for capacity (678mm wide)	Space-saving (451–508mm wide)
LN2 efficiency	Low evaporation, long hold times	Ultra-low consumption, market-leading hold times
Certification	UKCA + CE	UKCA + CE
Warranty	5-yr vacuum, 2-yr parts	5-yr vacuum, 2-yr parts
Mobility	Optional accessories available	Roller bases available for all models

 

Both Families. One Supplier. One Standard.

Whether you are specifying a large liquid nitrogen storage vessel for a high-capacity IVF programme or choosing a compact 30-litre dewar for an andrology unit, Cryolab holds the same standard across both ranges. UKCA and CE marked. Industry-leading vacuum warranties. UK-based support from specialists who understand the IVF sector because they have been in it for over 40 years.

Paul Hague, founder of Cryolab, was introducing controlled-rate freezing to fertility labs around the world before most of the equipment now in those labs existed. That depth of knowledge underpins every vessel we supply.

Ready to Specify the Right LN2 Storage Vessel?

If you are not certain which vessel is right for your sample volume and workflow, our team will help you find the answer. We supply NHS hospitals, private IVF clinics, fertility research facilities, and biobanks across the UK and Ireland.

Explore the full range of large liquid nitrogen storage vessels (CryoNest® Series)

Explore the full range of compact liquid nitrogen storage dewars (CryoCan Series)

Request a quote or speak to a specialist: info@cryolab.co.uk | cryolab.co.uk