Overview

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• Source: OHAUS


• Date: 01 Jan,2025

Choosing the correct hotplate stirrer for your laboratory is a choice that bears a long-term effect on the quality, speed, and security of your experiments. Given that there is an array of stirrers out there, it is pertinent to understand the specific requirements and then try matching them with equipment features.

Let us look at some of the major factors and features that should be considered when picking the right hotplate stirrer for your laboratory.

Clarify the Nature of Your Laboratory

These stages require the setting of goals for a particular project, which will help you narrow down your search to specific models:

1. Types of Heating and Stirring Model: Is a model that does both required or only one is enough? Some processes require heating and stirring at the same time in order to achieve a desired result.
2. Temperature Stability and Range: Determine the upper limit temperature as well as temperature stability that will best meet your applications. For example, Guardian™ 5000 Hotplate Stirrers can heat to 550°C with a temperature stability of around ±1%.
3. Volume of Sample: The stirring volume as ‘liters of water equivalent’ must be appropriate for the scale of your experiment.

Magnetic Hotplate Stirrers: An Adaptable Solution

The simultaneous application of heat and rotation is made possible in laboratories by magnetic bases and hot plates, which are essential equipment due to their efficiency. To evenly distribute the ingredients while in a sample vessel, a stir bar is positioned in the container and a rotating magnetic field is employed. Because of their precise control of temperature and speed, magnetic hotplate stirrers from the Guardian™ 5000 series cater to diverse needs including chemical and biological applications. Additionally, SmartRate™ ramps and SafetyHeat™ systems allow them to be compact yet practical and safe for routine procedures. Since there are many sizes and materials of plates available, those stirrers can be adjusted accordingly to the needs of your laboratory.

Evaluate Safety Features

Making sure that security measures are in place is critical when associating with laboratories. Seek features that can increase safety of users, for example, but not restricted to:

1.SafetyHeat™: Early overheating damaged electronics by shutting the device down late, Only after an extremely high and dangerous temperature is reached, but with this feature, the risk is minimized as ‘dangerous levels’ can be detected early on.

2.Run Dry Protection System: If the probe isn’t submerged, automatically turns off heating to avoid overheating and damage.

3.Splash shields, splash protection, and IP ratings. Splash shields and ingress protection IP32 are the accessories that guarantee protection of the device and the operator in case spills occur.

Think of flexibility and user interface

Current hotplate stirrers are devised for almost all possible uses. Choose where such capabilities are available:

1. SmartHeat™: Beneficial functionality in which a user can set an upper temperature limit which reduces the risk of overheating.
2. SmartRate™: The possibility to set different rates of heating and stirring, including a fast increase in both processes. Additionally, a slow heating ramp rate will help avoid temperature overshoot.
3. Intuitive Interfaces: Easy to operate even for the inexperienced personnel as basic LCD displays provide clear information to the operator such as those installed in Guardian™ 5000 models.

The dimension and material of the upper plate.

Plate size and plate material are necessary parameters that affect the operational capabilities of the device and the laboratory equipment that can be used with the devices.

1. Plate Size: Several standard plate sizes are provided to fit various vessel sizes. For instance, some models like e-G52HS10C have plates with dimensions of 26 x 26 cm fitting larger vessels. Additionally, round tops, which are often used in higher-end chemistry labs, are chosen to be used with aluminium blocks on top for synthesis reactions.
2. Material: Ceramic coated plates are made of aluminum, which are strong and good heat conductors while ceramic plates have a superior resistance to chemical attack.

Important Features for highly specialized applications.

In case your work deals with advanced applications then do consider looking into models that have extra features such as:

1. Temperature Probes and Calibration: Such models have the constructions with connections for probes and can be calibrated at several points to enable accurate temperature measurements.
2. Remote Control and Data Logging: The Lab Automation System can be interfaced through these RS232 Ports, present for instance in e-G52HSRDA models.
3. Timers and Audible Alarms: These are quite important for those experiments that need to be conducted within a stipulated time.

Accessories and Expandability

Consider looking for models that come with compatible accessories such as:

1. Probes: PT1000 probes with wide temperature limits are example options to add certain penetrative ranges.
2. Clamps and Stirrers: Enhance the system with new clamps, spin bars or supports of programmable features for further capabilities.
3. Specialty Kits: Increase versatility to allow sometime particular experimental designs to be applied.

Guardian™ 5000: A Next Generation Hotplate Stirrers

The Guardian™ 5000 series exemplifies the ideal combination of safety, versatility, and precision. With options for different top plate sizes, robust construction, and premium features like SmartHeat™ and SafetyHeat™, these stirrers meet the demands of research, academic, and industrial environments.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right hotplate stirrer involves balancing your laboratory’s specific needs with the features offered by various models. Carefully assess factors like heating capacity, safety, and compatibility with your workflow. Advanced options like the Guardian™ 5000 series ensure a reliable, safe, and efficient experience, making them a worthwhile investment for any laboratory.

To know more: 7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Guardian Hot Plate Stirrer | OHAU