Water Baths & Dry Baths
Dry Bath Incubator M-JSY-H | RT+5 to 100°C | Digital Control | Block Modules
TBS-08926LABO-00072
£186.99
Water Baths & Dry Baths
3 products available
A water bath is a temperature-controlled vessel that holds samples at a steady heat by immersing them in heated water. A dry bath, also called a block heater or dry block heater, does the same job with a heated metal block instead of liquid. Compel supplies both types to labs, test houses, production QC teams and maintenance departments that need stable, repeatable heating.
The range here is narrow and focused. You'll find the core formats a working lab uses for incubating samples, thawing, warming reagents and running controlled-temperature tests, without a wide spread of variants to wade through. Check each listing for capacity, temperature range, control type and accuracy before you order. Buying through Compel means you get trade-grade equipment from a distributor that serves industry, with product data you can verify against your method before the unit arrives.
Water bath or dry bath: which suits your method?
A laboratory water bath gives even heat transfer around the whole vessel. Water surrounds the sample, so odd-shaped flasks, beakers and tubes all heat evenly. That makes it the usual pick for thawing, warming reagents, and tests that call for a liquid medium.
A dry bath uses a metal block drilled to take specific tube or vial sizes. There's no water to top up, no evaporation, and less contamination risk. It suits routine tube work where the vessel format never changes. The trade-off is fit: the block must match your tubes, so confirm the block format on the listing.
- Mixed glassware and irregular vessels: water bath
- Fixed tube or vial format, clean and dry operation: dry bath or block heater
- Method specifies a liquid bath: follow the method, don't substitute
Capacity, temperature range and control
Size the unit to your largest vessel plus working clearance, then look at how many samples you run at once. A bath that's too small forces you to batch work. One that's too large wastes time heating and uses more power.
Read the stated temperature range against your actual setpoint, and check how close it sits to the upper and lower limits. Units tend to hold best in the middle of their range. Look at the control type too. Digital controllers generally give finer setpoint resolution than analogue dials, but confirm accuracy and uniformity figures on the datasheet rather than assuming.
- Match the working volume to your largest vessel
- Check the listed range covers your setpoint with margin
- Compare stability and uniformity figures, not just the maximum temperature
Materials, lids and day-to-day use
For a lab water bath, tank material matters because the unit sits wet and hot. Stainless steel is the usual choice for durability and easy cleaning. Check the listing for the tank material and whether a lid is supplied. A lid cuts evaporation, helps hold temperature and keeps debris out.
How to use a water bath in a laboratory is straightforward. Fill to the marked level with the water type the manufacturer recommends, set the temperature, let it stabilise, then place samples in. Never heat a dry unit. Run a dry bath at setpoint before loading so the block is at temperature.
- Use the fill level and water type the manual specifies
- Let the unit reach setpoint before loading samples
- Cover the bath to limit evaporation and heat loss
Buying guide
Choosing Water Baths & Dry Baths
- What is the use of a water bath in a laboratory?
- A water bath holds samples at a controlled temperature by immersing the vessel in heated water. Labs use it to incubate cultures, thaw frozen samples, warm reagents and run tests that need steady, even heat. Water surrounds the vessel, so heat transfers evenly across different container shapes.
- Should I buy a dry bath or a laboratory water bath?
- Choose a dry bath, or block heater, if you work with a fixed tube or vial format and want no water to maintain. Choose a lab water bath if you heat mixed or irregular glassware, or your method specifies a liquid medium. Check the block format on any dry bath listing before ordering.
- How do I use a water bath in the laboratory correctly?
- Fill the tank to the marked level with the water type the manufacturer recommends, set your temperature and let it stabilise before loading samples. Never switch on an empty bath. Keep the lid on to limit evaporation, and top up regularly so the level stays safe.
- What temperature range should a dry block heater have?
- Pick a unit whose listed range covers your setpoint with some margin at both ends, since units usually perform best mid-range. Check the stated stability and uniformity on the datasheet. If a value isn't on the listing, ask before you buy rather than assuming.
- Will my tubes fit a dry bath block?
- Only if the block is drilled for your tube or vial size. Dry bath blocks come in specific formats, so check the well diameter and depth against your consumables. A loose fit reduces heat transfer and can give inconsistent results.
- How do I maintain a lab water bath?
- Drain and clean the tank regularly to stop scale and biological growth, and replace the water on a routine schedule. Wipe down stainless steel surfaces and check the lid and seals for wear. Follow the cleaning agents and intervals in the manufacturer's manual.