Explore the features of Microbiological Incubators
Get to know the various technologies and features of Thermo Scientific Heratherm Microbiological incubators and how they help achieve suitable and reliable environments for incubation.
Microbiological incubator dual convection technology offers optimal incubation conditions
Dual convection combines gravity and mechanical convection in one incubator for lab flexibility
Heratherm Microbiological Incubators with dual convection technology combine the benefits of both gravity and mechanical convection in one unit. Both heating modes are available in one incubator, allowing ultimate control over airflow and optimal conditions for the growth of microorganisms.
Control fan speed from 0%, or gravity convection, up to 100% with dual convection technology. Depending on the application, the speed can be adapted to provide optimal air flow for the valuable samples. When the fan is switched off, the evaporation rate is at its lowest. When the fan is at full speed, the temperature uniformity is fully optimized, and temperature can reach its lowest points.
Gravity convection
In a gravity convection incubator, the temperature distribution is based on warm air moving upward. There is no fan that actively distributes the air inside the chamber. This gentle airflow can help prevent delicate samples from drying out when working with vented plates, or during long incubation cycles in a non-humidified environment. This is especially important when cultivating bacteria, such as Legionella spp. growth within 10 days of incubation (from ISO 11731-2).
Mechanical convection
In a mechanical convection (or forced air) incubator an integrated fan actively moves the air inside the chamber. This results in an even temperature distribution throughout the chamber. This offers optimal temperature uniformity for reproducible results. For example, enrichment of Salmonella spp. within 24 h at 37 °C (from ISO 6579) and Listeria spp. within 24 h at 30 °C (from ISO 11290-1) in 250 ml samples. Mechanical convection offers the added benefit of fast heating, and the fast heating of samples following direct transfer from a refrigerator, stimulates quick growth.
Designed for energy conscious laboratories – Refrigerated Incubators use Peltier technology
Incubators typically require a large amount of energy, which can drive up operating costs. To bring greater energy efficiency Heratherm Refrigerated Incubators have been designed with the following energy conscious features:
- Peltier modules, which cool and heat thermoelectrically – without the use of refrigerants or other hazardous substance
Read the Heratherm incubators green features fact sheet - Insulated walls and doors to minimize heat loss
- Programmable controller for setting on/off heating and cooling cycles, and to set the temperature and humidity to precise levels
- Adaptable external fan – fast running for cool down/heat up; slow running to keep the temperature stable
Experience up to 84% energy savings when using Heratherm refrigerated incubators with Peltier technology compared to traditional compressor units.
Exceptional temperature uniformity to support a wide range of applications
Heratherm Microbiological incubators are well suited for routine applications in pharmaceutical, laboratories, and food and beverage industries. They offer temperature ranges from ambient +5 °C up to 75 °C, with temperature uniformity from ± 0.6 °C for General Protocol Incubators to ± 0.2 °C for Advanced Protocol incubators, and temperature stability of ± 0.4°C to 01°C depending on the model. See the chart below to select the right model of incubator based on your temperature and application needs.
Application |
Typical Application Temperature Range |
Microbiological Incubators Temperature range ambient +5℃ to 105℃ |
Refrigerated Incubators Temperature range +5℃ to 70℃ |
Bacterial research: growth of bacteria |
+15° to +35° C |
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+28° to +70° C |
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Microbiology: incubation of cells, microorganisms |
+18° to +35° C |
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+28° to +50° C |
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Coliform |
+35° to +37° C |
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Tempered storage (e.g. media, liquid or solid samples) |
+5° to +70° C |
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+28° to +105° C |
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Pharmaceutical stability testing |
+5° to +70° C |
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+28° to +105° C |
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Food and beverage testing |
+5° to +70° C |
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+28° to +105° C |
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Yeast growth |
+10° to +40° C |
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+28° to +40° C |
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Paraffin embedding |
+35° to +50° C |
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
around +20°C |
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Water pollution testing |
around +37°C |
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Hatching of insects / fish |
+5° to +40° C |
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+28° to +40° C |
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Greater usable space in a small lab footprint, security features for long-term ease-of-use
Heratherm General Protocol, Advanced Protocol, and Advanced Security Protocol Microbiological Incubators are conceived for quick adaptation to various applications. They offer a simple display with easy temperature adjustments for flexibility when working with more than one microbe or cell type, and overtemperature alarms.
Large inner chamber offers flexible shelving configurations for maximum capacity
All Heratherm Refrigerated and Microbiological Incubators have a flexible shelving system that allows the insertion of shelves at virtually any desired position.
The smallest Heratherm Incubator available at 50-75 liters can hold up to 13 shelves, while the largest table top Heratherm Incubators with capacity of 140-160 liters can hold up to 19 shelves. The largest refrigerated incubators with 381 L capacity hold up to 39 shelves.
All thermo scientific shelves are removable for ease of cleaning.
Small footprint to maximize lab space
Designed to take up as little premium laboratory space as possible, Heratherm Microbiological incubators have a smaller exterior design than industry standard without compromising in usable space.
Safety features for sample protection
All Heratherm incubators offer good temperature uniformity and stability and safe containment of heat with automatic over- and under-temperature alarms, to ensure samples stay at optimal temperatures. Advanced Protocol Incubators offer door alarms and Advanced Protocol Security Incubators offer a 140 °C decontamination cycles in addition to all other features.
For Laboratory Use.