Cost of Freezer Spray. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

samjmann · 9th Sep 2022, 9:20 am

I haven't looked at the cost of freezer in a long time, but I was shocked when I saw RS selling a 400mL can for around £20:00.
The non-flammable freezer is more expensive than the flammable type which is typically used for freezing pipes etc.

Plastikote do a non-flammable 500mL can which I've seen for as low as £9.00. This is intended for electronic use. Years ago I do remember some freezer reacting with solder flux and causing it to bubble. The boards did look messy afterwards.

The Ambersil and Servisol brands are all around the same price as RS's own PRO range. Just makes me wonder why the Plastikote is so much cheaper...

SJM.

Lloyd 1985 · 9th Sep 2022, 9:54 am

Isn’t there a cheaper one that’s aimed at removing chewing gum?

Regards
Lloyd

samjmann · 9th Sep 2022, 10:16 am

Thanks Lloyd, yes I've seen that. In fact Plastikote do their version of that too. I don't to go wafting freezer onto a pcb and leave some nasty residue behind afterwards.

Regards SJM.

Keith956 · 9th Sep 2022, 11:16 am

£5 a can on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AAB-Cooling...ddba1bf6a&th=1

Craig Sawyers · 9th Sep 2022, 1:08 pm

Cheap, but this is the inflammable version. So if there is anything hot nearby (like a valve, or other hot part) it could get a little exciting.

But I like the suggestion on that Amazon product that you can use it to free up stuck or rusted screws.

Craig

Cruisin Marine · 9th Sep 2022, 2:04 pm

What about those "Air Duster" sprays inverted, they only cost just about a pound a can in the "pound shops".
Just tried one, they are cold enough when used upside down, and no damage to solder on a scrap board.

samjmann · 9th Sep 2022, 3:53 pm

Have purchased the non-flammable Electronic Motip freezer spray.
Worked out at £6.00 per can when buying 6. Motip are based in the Netherlands, best known as the Plastikote brand in the UK.

Will post again with findings! SJM.

vidjoman · 9th Sep 2022, 4:13 pm

Some years ago the price doubled on Freezer spray due to the previous use of 'greenhouse' gas. The 'newer' gas is less of a problem, just much more expensive.
I recall it was about a fiver a large can which jumped to £9.99 for a smaller can.

buggies · 9th Sep 2022, 6:36 pm

Google ‘poop freeze’ (for dogs).
I bought a 150mL can from B&M for £1.99 last year - have not looked recently.

Welsh Anorak · 10th Sep 2022, 12:01 pm

Ditto - not as effective IMHO, and leaves a bit of a residue,but a lot cheaper. I think mine came from Home Bargains.

Paul Stenning · 13th Sep 2022, 11:38 am

I haven't tried this, but perhaps a layer of cling film over the suspect component and surrounding area would avoid the need to clean up any residue while still having a good cooling effect? Assuming of course that nothing is getting hot enough to melt cling film.

FrankB · 16th Nov 2022, 3:43 am

If you turn a can of air duster upside down, it will act as freeze. I have used that trick quite often.

Tim · 16th Nov 2022, 8:10 am

Another vote for inverted air duster. The dog poop freeze spray works well too but the cans are on the small side. Useful for getting you out of trouble.

chriswood1900 · 11th Aug 2023, 6:21 pm

Whilst fixing a tuner I used up my last drop of freezer spray and went online to CPC, Amazon, eBay etc and was seeing prices north of £20 I can't remember ever paying that much before and the last tin probably lasted 10 +years I presume it has had to be reformulated to meet some new rules, does anyone know a more economic option?

Bazz4CQJ · 11th Aug 2023, 6:36 pm

Well, your friendly pub landlord holds small cylinders of CO2... but not sure how you go from there.

B

G6Tanuki · 11th Aug 2023, 7:31 pm

You can get big cans of the stuff at a relatively-bargain price from anywhere that does plumbing supplies to the trade, where it is sold as 'pipe freezer'.

paulsherwin · 11th Aug 2023, 8:34 pm

Poundland used to sell small aerosols - not sure if they still do.

Jez1234 · 11th Aug 2023, 10:00 pm

I've used the stuff from plumbers merchants for 20+ years here with no problems.

sortedradio · 12th Aug 2023, 10:20 am

I bought some Kalte freezer spray from "60 oldjohn" of this forum last year. It may be worth contacting him to see if he has any left for sale. It's been very good when I have used it, leaving no residue.

high_vacuum_house · 12th Aug 2023, 10:36 am

I have used an “air duster” from Poundland quite recently. It is quite cheap at £1-2 a can and the evaporation of the propellant makes a surface go cold. Possibly not to the extent of freezer spray but probably good enough to cool components down. I believe it is also non flammable.

Christopher Capener

9th Sep 2022, 9:20 am	#1
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 599	Cost of Freezer Spray. I haven't looked at the cost of freezer in a long time, but I was shocked when I saw RS selling a 400mL can for around £20:00. The non-flammable freezer is more expensive than the flammable type which is typically used for freezing pipes etc. Plastikote do a non-flammable 500mL can which I've seen for as low as £9.00. This is intended for electronic use. Years ago I do remember some freezer reacting with solder flux and causing it to bubble. The boards did look messy afterwards. The Ambersil and Servisol brands are all around the same price as RS's own PRO range. Just makes me wonder why the Plastikote is so much cheaper... SJM. __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...

9th Sep 2022, 9:54 am	#2
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,777	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Isn’t there a cheaper one that’s aimed at removing chewing gum? Regards Lloyd

9th Sep 2022, 10:16 am	#3
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 599	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Thanks Lloyd, yes I've seen that. In fact Plastikote do their version of that too. I don't to go wafting freezer onto a pcb and leave some nasty residue behind afterwards. Regards SJM. __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...

9th Sep 2022, 11:16 am	#4
Keith956 Heptode Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 656	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. £5 a can on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AAB-Cooling...ddba1bf6a&th=1

9th Sep 2022, 1:08 pm	#5
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,864	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Cheap, but this is the inflammable version. So if there is anything hot nearby (like a valve, or other hot part) it could get a little exciting. But I like the suggestion on that Amazon product that you can use it to free up stuck or rusted screws. Craig __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night

9th Sep 2022, 2:04 pm	#6
Cruisin Marine Heptode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 915	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. What about those "Air Duster" sprays inverted, they only cost just about a pound a can in the "pound shops". Just tried one, they are cold enough when used upside down, and no damage to solder on a scrap board.

9th Sep 2022, 3:53 pm	#7
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 599	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Have purchased the non-flammable Electronic Motip freezer spray. Worked out at £6.00 per can when buying 6. Motip are based in the Netherlands, best known as the Plastikote brand in the UK. Will post again with findings! SJM. __________________ It's never been right since we've had it...

9th Sep 2022, 4:13 pm	#8
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,208	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Some years ago the price doubled on Freezer spray due to the previous use of 'greenhouse' gas. The 'newer' gas is less of a problem, just much more expensive. I recall it was about a fiver a large can which jumped to £9.99 for a smaller can.

9th Sep 2022, 6:36 pm	#9
buggies Heptode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Lothian, UK. Posts: 751	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Google ‘poop freeze’ (for dogs). I bought a 150mL can from B&M for £1.99 last year - have not looked recently. __________________ George

10th Sep 2022, 12:01 pm	#10
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,639	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Ditto - not as effective IMHO, and leaves a bit of a residue,but a lot cheaper. I think mine came from Home Bargains. __________________ Glyn www.gdelectronics.wales

13th Sep 2022, 11:38 am	#11
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,966	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. I haven't tried this, but perhaps a layer of cling film over the suspect component and surrounding area would avoid the need to clean up any residue while still having a good cooling effect? Assuming of course that nothing is getting hot enough to melt cling film. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

16th Nov 2022, 3:43 am	#12
FrankB Heptode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington, USA. Posts: 653	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. If you turn a can of air duster upside down, it will act as freeze. I have used that trick quite often.

16th Nov 2022, 8:10 am	#13
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,276	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. Another vote for inverted air duster. The dog poop freeze spray works well too but the cans are on the small side. Useful for getting you out of trouble. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

11th Aug 2023, 6:21 pm	#14
chriswood1900 Octode Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,443	Hasn't Freezer spray got expensive. Whilst fixing a tuner I used up my last drop of freezer spray and went online to CPC, Amazon, eBay etc and was seeing prices north of £20 I can't remember ever paying that much before and the last tin probably lasted 10 +years I presume it has had to be reformulated to meet some new rules, does anyone know a more economic option? __________________ Chris Wood BVWS Member

11th Aug 2023, 6:36 pm	#15
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,739	Re: Hasn't Freezer spray got expensive. Well, your friendly pub landlord holds small cylinders of CO2... but not sure how you go from there. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.

11th Aug 2023, 7:31 pm	#16
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,448	Re: Hasn't Freezer spray got expensive. You can get big cans of the stuff at a relatively-bargain price from anywhere that does plumbing supplies to the trade, where it is sold as 'pipe freezer'. __________________ TURN IT UP! [I can't hear the Guitar] - TMBG.

11th Aug 2023, 8:34 pm	#17
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,151	Re: Hasn't Freezer spray got expensive. Poundland used to sell small aerosols - not sure if they still do.

11th Aug 2023, 10:00 pm	#18
Jez1234 Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 936	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. I've used the stuff from plumbers merchants for 20+ years here with no problems.

12th Aug 2023, 10:20 am	#19
sortedradio Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 630	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. I bought some Kalte freezer spray from "60 oldjohn" of this forum last year. It may be worth contacting him to see if he has any left for sale. It's been very good when I have used it, leaving no residue. __________________ Martin BVWS member GQRP Club

12th Aug 2023, 10:36 am	#20
high_vacuum_house Octode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Belper Derbyshire Posts: 1,835	Re: Cost of Freezer Spray. I have used an “air duster” from Poundland quite recently. It is quite cheap at £1-2 a can and the evaporation of the propellant makes a surface go cold. Possibly not to the extent of freezer spray but probably good enough to cool components down. I believe it is also non flammable. Christopher Capener __________________ A proper radio is one that needs to be moved with a wheelbarrow !!