Water baths are used to provide incubation and controlled heating in laboratory, research and commercial applications.
Water baths typically involve a vessel submerged in water where heat is controlled through a temperature control mechanism. Whether used for government or academic research, food processing, waste water treatment or other applications, there is a place for a water bath. More specifically, water baths are used to thaw, to examine bacteria, to warm reagents, and for microbiological assays.
Water temperature is controlled in a water bath through either digitial or analog mechanisms. Modern digitally-based water baths offer greater uniformity of temperature, as well as stability and control throughout the water bath. Maintaining constant temperature is desirable in a wide array of applications, such as bacteriological examinations, food processing, microbiological assays and others.
By contrast, analog systems are desirable due to their ease of use and are ideally suited to fixed set-point applications.
Typically, general laboratory water baths are capable of increasing from ambient temperatures of + 5°C to 99.9°C, with temperature uniformity as tight as ± 0.2°C at 37°C. Before choosing a water bath, it is worth investigating whether the water bath includes Many temperature preset buttons so that you can easily prorgam and efficiently choose common pre-set temperatures.
Another consideration when choosing a water bath is size. You will need to consider the volume of your typical samples and the size of samples, focusing primarily on internal tank dimensions. Water baths vary in size from about 1.5 to 43 liters.
You also need to consider the risk of potential contamination. If external contimination is possible, the use of a water bath cover it appropriate. Here, the choices include clear covers, attached covers or hinged covers. Each has relative advantages and disadvantages.
The obvious advantage of a clear cover is that is allows the researcher to observe the contents of the water bath. Attached covers are favored over removal covers because they eliminate condensation issues, and gabled covers accommodate glassware of varying heights and permit easy loading and removal of samples. HInged covers, available from select water bath manufacturers, will open at a 90 degree angle or it can be removed completely at the researcher’s option. Lid fins may be desirable too, and they are offered by certain manufacturers, are beneficial because they protect the researcher from potential burns due to heat. Covers are also critical to the maintenance of temperature where water baths are operated at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius.
Reserviors also merit consideration when choose a water bat. Seamless stainless steel reservoir construction resists rust, chemical damage and contamination. Epoxy-powder-coated exteriors are easy to clean. Preventing burns, a consideration for any researcher, is a function of how cool the exterior of the water bath remains.
A consideration of water bath features would be incomplete without considering safety. Back up thermostats that automatically disconnect heater power if the water bath temperature get too high or the liquid level drops below a certain level, as well as alarm indicators, are desirable safety features for water bath.