What considerations should be taken when selecting the heating plate for the laboratory?

Heating plates and stirrers are widely used in laboratories around the world, and are merely tools used to heat and uniformly mix various types of substances in different states of aggregation and to prepare solutions. These devices are powered by electricity and are characterized by:

  • Uniform heating throughout the plate to adjustable levels using a knob.
  • Some models can heat up to 750 degrees Celsius.
  • Some irons heat and shake.
  • The frequency of agitation can also be regulated.

Although the purpose of purchasing a heating plate is the same for any laboratory, it is always advisable to review some features that allow making the best selection of the iron. For example, if you work with large samples a small plate is not useful; if you work with highly reactive substances the material on the plate must tolerate them without degrading significantly.

What are the characteristics of heating plates?

Conventional heating plates are mainly used for heating tasks, while those that can shake and heat can generate heat and mix simultaneously. Heating plates operating with infrared radiation have been developed as an energy-saving alternative to conventional and combined heating plate agitators. The heating plates may include some accessories, such as:

  • Temperature sensors.
  • External Digital Displays.
  • Heating blocks, can work together with compatible heating plates.

Currently, heating plates and plates combining heat and stirring can be found in various formats and offer the latest technology for single or multiple platforms, as well as in analog and digital formats. They may also include other features such as capacity, ranging from a few cubic centimeters to several cubic decimeters, which are adapted to the needs of use in different laboratory applications.

The spectrum of commercially available heating plate agitators ranges from the design of simpler agitators, to those models designed to withstand light explosions, for applications that are hazardous. Simultaneously, the plates must be able to accurately and repeatedly control a wide variety of development needs in the area of preparation, control and research.

On the other hand, the heating plates and the plates that incorporate the stirring function with greater capacity, have been designed to offer an optimal and robust performance, in the sense of being able to withstand very heavy loads and provide the appropriate performance in very long working hours.

What should be considered to select a heating plate?

For anyone working in a lab, it is desirable that the equipment combine simple operation, reliable performance and advanced security; there is no use for a plate that warms and shakes without any control, all these features must be able to be modulated reliably.

Separate tabletop instruments are generally used to heat glass containers such as beakers and their contents. However, if it is necessary to heat a container indirectly, the container can be placed close to the surface of the hot plate, with the support of tripods, rods or grids, among others.

Both conventional heating plates or special heating plates provide plates that are made of resistant materials such as ceramic, aluminum or stainless steel, with various plate designs and dimensions. These plaque materials give you physical and chemical resistance to long-term use and the type of substances that will be regularly prepared in the laboratory. In general, you can simplify the board features as follows:

  • Ceramic, aluminum or stainless-steel plate surfaces.
  • Can accommodate multiple containers.
  • Controls can be analog or digital.
  • Allow accurate and reliable monitoring of board temperature.
  • Operating temperatures in the range of 100°C to 750°C.
  • The shaking frequency can reach up to 2000 rpm.

Kalstein’s heating plates

Kalstein‘s laboratory instrument manufacturer provides service and research laboratories with a wide variety of heating plate options with the latest technology and top-quality materials. Some models allow to control the temperature with an error margin of 5 °C, can heat up to 350 °C and with stirring and heating in 5 points. To consult other models and specifications for purchase, prices and quotations, please visit HERE and HERE