A water bath is a laboratory equipment that is used to incubate samples at a constant temperature over a long period of time. Water bath is a preferred heat source for heating flammable chemicals instead of an open flame to prevent ignition.
Water Bath Equipment
Precautions :
- Use with caution.
- It is not recommended to use water bath with moisture sensitive or pyrophoric reactions. Do not heat a bath fluid above its flash point.
- Water level should be regularly monitored, and filled with distilled water only. This is required to prevent salts from depositing on the heater
- Disinfectants can be added to prevent growth of organisms.
- Raise the temperature to 90 °C or higher to once a week for half an hour for the purpose of decontamination.
- Markers tend to come off easily in water baths. Use water resistant ones.
- If application involves liquids that give off fumes, it is recommended to operate water bath in fume hood or in a well ventilated area.
- The cover is closed to prevent evaporation and to help reaching high temperatures.
- Set up on a steady surface away from flammable materials.