Hot Air Oven is a laboratory instrument which is mainly used to sterilize the product with dry heat as steam cannot be used for heating some materials such as dry powders. Metal components also cannot be subjected to steam heating as they rust or dull in the presence of the water vapor.
Hot Air Oven employs Triple walled construction with excellent heat insulation. Heaters are installed outside the inner heating chamber. The heaters outside the chamber heat the air and is circulated inside the chamber using circulating fan. This avoids direct heating & creates heating by hot air of uniform temperature.
Hot air ovens have the advantage that they do not need water to generate heating steam & also do not carry risk of high pressure built-up, making them popular in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry and hospitals.
Labindia Instruments is a well-known Hot Air Oven Manufacturers known for its high-class hot air ovens.
Hot Air Oven Features and Specifications:
- Triple walled construction with Inner chamber made of Stainless Steel - 304 Grade & Exterior of CRCA steel with powder coat finish.
- Food grade Silicon Rubber gasket which acts as a perfect sealant.
- Accurate Temperature control using Microprocessor based PID Temperature Controller & PT-100 sensor.
- Provision of setting Temperature & Process Time using Keyboard & LCD Display.
- Heating elements are made of high grade Nichrome wire and mounted outside the inner chamber.
- Air circulation by motorized blower placed on top of the oven.
- Natural convection Hot Air Ovens (No Fan for air circulation) which are used for heating material with hot air without turbulence, are also available.
- Removable SS Rod shelves with height adjustment facility.
- Temperature Range: 5°C above ambient to 250°C. (Up to 300°C available on request).
- Temperature Accuracy: ± 1°C or better.
- Operates on 230 Volts AC Single phase 50 Hz.
| Forced Convection Modelsl | Natural Convection Model | Working space (WxDxH in inches) | Capacity Ltrs | Watts | Shelves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHAOF-45 | LHAON-45 | 14x14x14 | 45 | 1500 | 2 |
| LHAOF-95 | LHAON-95 | 18x18x18 | 95 | 2000 | 3 |
| LHAOF-125 | LHAON-125 | 18x18x24 | 125 | 2500 | 3 |
| LHAOF-224 | LHAON-224 | 24x24x24 | 224 | 3000 | 3 |
| LHAOF-250 | LHAON-250 | 24x18x36 | 250 | 3000 | 3 |
| LHAOF-325 | LHAON-325 | 24x24x36 | 325 | 3500 | 4 |
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Hot Air Oven for Sterilization:
Hot Air Oven for Laboratory Applications:
- Sterilize Powder like starch, sulfadiazine, and zinc oxide.
- Materials that contain oils.
- Material Equipment like blades, scalpels, and scissors.
- N95 Masks,
- Tools and Packaging Materials.
- Hot Air heating removes moisture from the material. Hence it is predominantly employed in applications like baking, curing, drying, and likes. It is used also for annealing, sterilization of Surgical instruments, Glassware etc. Besides, it is also used for the measurement of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), and even storage of some products at constant temperature in hospitals and laboratories, etc.
Best Practices for Effective Hot Air Oven Sterilization
To ensure top-tier sterilization with hot air ovens, follow these essential best practices:
Regular Validation and Calibration:
- Consistent temperature and time cycles are critical.
- Regularly validate and calibrate the oven to guarantee accuracy and reliability.
- Perform routine maintenance to identify and address any potential issues.
Proper Loading Techniques:
- Optimal air circulation is key.
- Space items adequately within the oven.
- Avoid overloading to prevent cold spots and incomplete sterilization.
- Utilize appropriate racks and trays to maximize airflow and heat exposure.
Thorough Documentation:
- Maintain detailed records of each sterilization cycle.
- Record temperature, time, and any relevant observations.
- Regularly review records to track performance and identify trends or issues.
- Regularly review records to track performance and identify trends or issues.
Materials that cannot be sterilized include surgical dressings, plastic materials, or rubber items & materials that release harmful fumes.