How can it work with the freeze head attached to just the front of the pipe? This unique freeze head design feature is Patented by Freeze Master. Each freeze head has refrigerant chambers which run the length of the water pipe and are set at a wide angle. Heat is extracted efficiently from around the pipe by attaching to the front only.

How long does it stay frozen?
All the while its plugged in. e.g. 9 am to 5 pm - You can remove a fitting, go to your stock, match up the component or thread size, then go back and finish the job with NO DRAIN DOWN.

How quickly does it thaw out when the job is finished?
If necessary the ice plugs can be thawed in a few seconds. Only the outer skin of the ice plug needs to be defrosted. This can be done with a little warmth (even by hand) after removing the heads.

Why doesn't it burst the pipe?
The ice plug is created at the freeze head and can expand along the pipe. Pipes burst when nearly all the water turns to ice, then the expansion has to go outwards.

Do I need to refill the gas?
It's a sealed system. No gas is expelled to atmosphere in normal use. The gas is continually recycled and reused. It's like buying an endless source of gas canisters.

What water pressure will it hold?
A pressure test held back 100 bar (1500 psi). There isn't a water pressure that will shift the ice plug.

Why don't gas kits (CO2 or HFC) hold back high pressure water like machines can? They do work on high water pressure. It is more likely that the outer skin of the ice plug is thawing while the engineer is working. High water pressure could then push the plug along the pipe away from the freeze area.

What if a pipe is touching the wall?
The clamps are detachable from the freeze head. The heads can be frozen to the front of a pipe touching a wall. It's all in the instructions.

Will it freeze flowing water?
Fully flowing water cannot be frozen. Preferably the water should be stationary, however even this can start to thermo-cycle because of the wide temperature difference between the pipe and freezing device. It is important to have a powerful machine that can extract the freeze movement heat.

How close to the ice plug can I solder?
Very close depending on method and expertise. A very well practiced professional who does not over heat the pipe will be able to solder much closer than a DIY person. (Anywhere from a few inches to a few feet).

What is inside the hose?
Inside the hose is a special flexible polymer. The refrigerant is pumped to the freeze head via Freeze Masters patented flexible tube. It will not break when the hose is frozen. Non Freeze Master design machines fit copper capillary inside the hose which could suffer metal fatigue when bent..

Will it freeze a large pipe and small pipe or a hot pipe and cold pipe?
Freeze Master Patented their Electronic Refrigerant Delivery system. Control of the gas supply is essential to achieve optimum freeze at both freeze heads regardless of work load.