Laboratory ovens are common instruments in most laboratories and are used across most scientific disciplines. Lab ovens are most commonly less than 12 cu.ft. in volume, although a great variety of sizes are available in benchtop, stackable, and floor-standing models. Over 25 percent of survey respondents reported using larger ovens in their labs. While lab ovens are most commonly used for heating and drying (77% of respondents), they find a variety of other uses including evaporating (49%), temperature-linked experimentation (47%), sterilization (14%) and baking (13%).
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Lab Oven
- What temperature range do you require? (Does the product have reserve temperature capacity?)
- What accuracy and uniformity does the product have? (Will my sample be damaged or will my experiment only function in one “sweet spot”?)
- Are interior chamber space / weight of my sample and floor space in the lab a match to application and lab?
- Do I need any computer interfaces, alarms or safety devices on my oven?
- Are accessories like data loggers, viewing windows and modifications like access ports available from the manufacturer to suit my specific needs?
Types of lab ovens used by survey respondents:
| General Purpose Oven | 78% |
| Mechanical Convection Oven | 18% |
| Gravity Convection Oven | 15% |
| Vacuum Oven | 22% |
| Microwave Oven | 19% |
| Other | 5% |
Main applications respondents use their lab ovens for:
| Heating and drying | 77% |
| Evaporating | 49% |
| Temperature-linked experiments | 47% |
| Sterilization | 14% |
| Baking | 13% |
| Annealing | 6% |
| De-gassing samples | 4% |
| Die-band curing | 1% |
| Other | 9% |
Nearly 24% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new lab oven. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of an aging system | 35% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 35% | |
 | Setting up a new lab | 25% | |
 | First time purchase | 5% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a lab oven:
| Safety | 80% |
| Ease of use | 64% |
| Low maintenance/operating costs | 61% |
| Price | 50% |
| Temperature ranges ambient +40°C to 200°C / 250°C | 45% |
| Controlled airflow to provide uniform temperature heat distribution | 42% |
| Service and support | 41% |
| Warranty | 40% |
| Ease of installation | 35% |
| Double wall for insulation | 34% |
For more information on lab ovens, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/lab-ovens
