In this paper the methodology for the analysis of the strategies of the air blast cryogenic cooling process is proposed. The experimental results of the temperature changes inside the cooling chamber for the strategy of the cooling process are presented, too. At the same time the strategy of the cooling process is described by the working modes of the mechanical refrigerating system and cryogenic refrigeration system. The variants of cooling strategy are identified by the working time of the cooling subsystems and the values of the pre-set temperature in the chamber. The paper also presents the results of calculations of the amount of cold for the selected cooling process strategy. The cold quality as the CEI (cold exergy index) for the mechanical and cryogenic refrigeration system is obtained. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.