A hot air oven is a type of lab testing instrument that is used to heat up the products at a uniform temperature. A hot air oven is used to sterilize the product in a particular period of time under specific conditions like humidity, pressure, and other environmental factors.Hot air ovens are electrical devices which use dry heat to sterilize. They were originally developed by Louis Pasteur. Generally, they use a thermostat to control the temperature.
Hot Air Oven Equipments
Dry Sterilisation :
- It is originally used in a hot air oven. This method is proper for items like glassware, powders, oil containing materials, metal material. Hot air oven acts in a manner so that items stored inside the oven don’t grab fire or meltdown. It primarily acts on the principle of structure where heat moves on the outside of the substance and then to the core of the item. It is termed a dry sterilization process because the procedure is performed by employing the hot air.
Hot air oven Parts and Functions :
- External cabinet: The External cabinet is made of stainless sheets. It covers the inner chamber.
- Glass wool insulation: The space between the inner chamber and external cabinet is filled with Glass wool. It provides insulation to the hot air oven.
- Inner chamber: The inner chamber of the hot air oven is made of Stainless steel.
- Tubular air heaters: They help to generate heat within the inner chamber. Two Tubular air heaters are located on both sides of the inner chamber.
- Motor-driven blower: It helps in uniformly circulating the air within the chamber.
- Temperature sensor: It measures the temperature within the hot air oven and displays it on the controller screen.
- Tray slots: The inner wall of the chamber contains several try slots that hold the trays.
- PID temperature controller: It maintains the accurate temperature during the entire cycle. It also controls the temperature and also displays the temperature values.
- Load indicator: it indicates the hot air oven is overloaded.
- Mains on/off switch: It helps to turn on/ turn off the hot air oven.
- Safety thermostat: It is also known as an over-temperature protection device. It keeps your oven and specimen safe in case of controller malfunction.