A laboratory oven, also known as a drying oven, is a key piece of equipment used in research, industrial, and educational laboratories. It provides uniform and dry heat, making it essential for drying, sterilizing, and performing thermal testing processes. These ovens are widely used in various fields such as food industry, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, petrochemicals, quality control centers, and academic and research laboratories.
With an adjustable temperature range from ambient temperature up to over 300°C laboratory ovens ensure consistent and stable heat distribution. They are available in both natural convection and forced convection (fan-assisted) models, significantly enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of thermal processes.
FG Smart Laboratory Oven Technical Specifications Table
What is a laboratory oven?
A laboratory oven or drying oven is an advanced device designed to remove moisture from various samples in laboratories. This device, by generating heat and using some models with a fan, introduces dry and fresh air into the chamber and simultaneously removes moisture through special vents. This process dries the samples quickly and prevents their physical and chemical changes.
Laboratory ovens are a key piece of equipment in all types of laboratories, from simple drying of glassware and laboratory samples to more complex applications with precise temperature control. These devices must provide users with high temperature accuracy and the reliability of repeatability and precision of results.
Types of laboratory ovens by type of air circulation
Laboratory ovens can be divided into two main categories: Gravity Convection ovens and Mechanical Convection ovens.
Gravity convection oven
In gravity convection ovens, temperature distribution is based on the natural upward movement of hot air, and there is no circulating fan to move the air actively. The advantage of this type of oven is that it has very low airflow, which is suitable for drying.
Mechanical convection oven
In fan-forced or mechanical convection ovens, a fan continuously moves air through the chamber, which distributes the temperature evenly throughout the appliance. This feature speeds up the drying process and allows the temperature inside the appliance to quickly reach the set level after the door is opened and closed.
Laboratory oven applications
Laboratory ovens are used in a variety of laboratories, such as chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, industrial, food, pharmaceutical, and many others. Some of its common applications include:
- Drying laboratory samples: For drying samples such as solid filters, test tubes, and powders.
- Sample strength testing: To test the strength of samples such as concrete, cement, and bitumen at specific temperatures.
- Physical and chemical property measurements: To test properties such as solubilization, absorption, leakage, tensile strength, hardness, etc.
Application of laboratory oven
Laboratory oven components
Laboratory ovens usually consist of the following components:
- Body: Made of stainless steel with thermal insulation
- Door: Glass or steel, may be locked.
- Heating system: Electric heating element
- Fan: for homogeneous heat distribution
- Temperature control: High precision temperature control system
- Temperature sensors and thermostats: for measuring and regulating temperature
Smart laboratory oven
Smart laboratory ovens use new technologies to provide advanced capabilities such as remote control, alerts, and data logging. These devices utilize Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and can connect to internet networks.
Smart laboratory oven features:
- Intelligent temperature control: The temperature of the device is precisely adjusted and controlled.
- Wireless communication: Internet connectivity and remote control capabilities.
- Touch screen: Ability to view and adjust device parameters.
- Data recording and storage: Ability to store data and transfer it to other devices.
The difference between a digital oven and a smart oven
Digital oven:
- Digital temperature control with digital display
- Automatic time and temperature programming
Smart oven:
- Ability to connect to the Internet and send data online
- Remote control using mobile phone or computer
- Using IoT technology to optimize processes
FG Smart Monitor Software
FG Smart Monitor software allows users to view and manage various data and reports online by connecting to the laboratory oven. This software is designed for accurate monitoring and data recording in accordance with international standards.
Types of laboratory ovens and their applications
Vacuum Oven
The vacuum oven is designed to perform the drying and moisture removal process in a low-pressure (vacuum) environment. This feature allows:
-Drying is faster.
-Lower drying temperature required (suitable for heat-sensitive materials)
-Prevent oxidation and unwanted reactions
Uses:
Drying sensitive chemicals
Removing solvents in pharmaceutical processes
Preparing biological and laboratory samples
Drying Oven
This type of oven creates uniform heat within a specific temperature range and is ideal for drying laboratory samples. Drying ovens are divided into two categories depending on the type of air circulation:
Forced convection oven: uniform temperature distribution, increasing drying speed
Gravity convection oven: natural heat, suitable for samples sensitive to airflow
Uses:
Drying chemical and biological samples
Use in food and pharmaceutical laboratories
Removing moisture from laboratory equipment and containers
Sterilization Oven
This type of oven is designed to sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment through high temperatures (usually between 160 and 300 degrees Celsius). Unlike autoclaves, which use steam to sterilize, sterilizing ovens operate only with dry heat.
Uses:
Sterilization of metal, glass and ceramic instruments
Use in hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories
Elimination of pathogens in surgical and microbiological instruments
Industrial Oven
Industrial ovens are designed for large-scale manufacturing and research processes. These devices typically have:
Higher capacity to process large numbers of samples simultaneously
Precise temperature control for regulating thermal processes
More robust structure for working in industrial environments
Uses:
Production of electronic components and semiconductors
Processing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Drying and curing of paints in the automotive and metal industries
How a laboratory oven works
Laboratory ovens typically have an insulated chamber that is heated by a heating element. The temperature inside the chamber of these ovens is regulated by a controller to maintain the appropriate temperature for various laboratory processes.
How to work with a laboratory oven
Technical specifications of laboratory oven
The technical specifications of the devices are vital information that has a great impact on their performance. This information is usually published by the manufacturers under the title of “datasheet”. Matching this information to the user’s needs makes it easier to choose the right device. The technical specifications of laboratory ovens may vary, but some features are of particular importance, which we will mention below.
Laboratory oven temperature range
The minimum temperature of ovens is usually around 50°C, or 15°C above the ambient temperature of the laboratory. For example, if the ambient temperature is 25°C, the minimum temperature of the device will be 40°C. Ovens are usually used for temperatures above 80°C, and incubators are used for temperatures below that.
Maximum temperature
The maximum adjustable temperature of ovens is usually between 200 and 300 degrees Celsius. In special and industrial models, the adjustable temperature can be up to 500 degrees or even more. It should be noted that at high temperatures, the device must be able to operate at high temperatures for a long time.
300 degree laboratory oven
Dimensions of the laboratory oven
The dimensions of the ovens should be selected according to the laboratory space and laboratory needs. It is essential to pay attention to sufficient space for proper air circulation for better performance of the device.
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Laboratory Oven Accuracy: The thermal accuracy of ovens is determined using DIN12880 standards. This accuracy includes temperature fluctuations (Fluctuation), temperature changes (Variation), and temperature deviation (Deviation). Detailed information on these values should be included in the device data sheet so that the consumer can choose the right device. Content
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Warm-up time: The warm-up time of the oven is the time it takes for the appliance to reach the set temperature from ambient temperature. This time should be specified in the data sheet.
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Temperature return time: If the device door is opened, the time required for the temperature to return to the set range should be mentioned in the data sheet.
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Air Exchange: This feature indicates the rate at which new air enters and exits the oven chamber, which has a great impact on the drying process of the samples.
Second controller or safety thermostat in laboratory oven
To prevent element failure and unwanted temperature increases, laboratory ovens should have a secondary controller or safety thermostat. In the event of a failure of the main controller, this safety controller acts as a fuse and prevents the temperature from rising.
Laboratory oven standards
Manufacturers of laboratory ovens must manufacture devices according to global standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, CE, UL, and CSA. These standards ensure that the devices have the necessary certifications in terms of safety, quality, and environmental compatibility.
The difference between a laboratory oven and an incubator
Laboratory ovens and incubators are devices with different uses. Ovens are designed for drying and evaporating samples at high temperatures, while incubators are more suitable for processes that require lower, constant temperatures.
The difference between a laboratory oven and an incubator
How air circulates in a laboratory oven
Airflow in a laboratory oven plays a critical role in temperature uniformity, drying speed, and the accuracy of the machine’s operation. Depending on the design, ovens use two main methods of air circulation:
Oven with natural air circulation (without fan)
In these models, hot air naturally flows inside the chamber. The movement of air is based on the law of convection, with hot air moving upwards and colder air sinking downwards.
Features:
Lower energy consumption
Slow air movement (suitable for sensitive samples)
Less thermal accuracy than fan-driven models
Uses:
Drying air-sensitive chemicals
Sterilizing medical instruments
Experiments that do not require high drying speeds
Forced convection oven (fan-powered)
These models are equipped with an internal fan that distributes air evenly throughout the chamber. Due to the increased air flow velocity, the temperature remains more constant throughout the chamber and the samples dry faster.
Features:
More even heat distribution throughout the chamber
Faster drying speed than fanless ovens
Better and more precise temperature control
Uses:
Rapid drying processes in the pharmaceutical and food industries
Experiments requiring precise and uniform temperatures
Sterilization of high-precision laboratory instruments
Comparing airflow in fan-assisted and fanless ovens
| Feature | Forced convection oven |
Gravity convection oven |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature distribution |
Less uniform | More uniform |
| Drying speed |
Slower | Faster |
| Energy consumption |
Less | More |
| Suitable for |
Airflow sensitive samples | Applications requiring precise and uniform temperature |
Important points when buying a laboratory oven
When purchasing a laboratory oven, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Device dimensions: Dimensions should be selected according to the available space in the laboratory and the needs of the laboratory.
- Thermal range: Make sure the adjustable temperature of the device matches your laboratory needs.
- Safety and reliability: The device must have a second controller or safety thermostat to prevent sudden failures.
These tips will help you choose a device that, in addition to being highly efficient, also has good safety and performance.
Laboratory oven maintenance and cleaning
Laboratories are sensitive and precise environments that require regular maintenance of equipment to maintain the accuracy and precision of test results. One of these equipments is laboratory ovens, which are used to perform various processes in laboratories. In this article, we will discuss important points about laboratory oven maintenance, cleaning, and calibration.
Laboratory oven maintenance
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Physical environment of the device: Laboratory ovens should be kept in an environment with standard temperature and appropriate humidity to prevent their damage and destruction. The environment should be protected from shocks and vibrations.
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Regular cleaning: Laboratory ovens should be cleaned periodically. Use appropriate detergents and avoid acidic substances or solvents such as thinners, which can damage the device.
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Battery Maintenance: FG ovens have a data logger that records the temperature of the device in the event of a power outage. To avoid problems, make sure the device’s battery is fully charged.
Laboratory oven calibration
Regular calibration of laboratory ovens is very important to ensure the accuracy of the device’s performance. Calibration is usually performed by reputable standards companies. Here are some tips for optimal calibration of these devices:
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Calibration Planning: It is recommended to develop a regular schedule for laboratory oven calibration that considers calibration intervals appropriate to the type of use of the devices.
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Standards and Guidelines: Calibration should be performed according to the instructions in the device manual.
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Accurately record results: Calibration results should be accurately recorded and if there are significant differences, the device should be repaired or adjusted.
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Staff training: Staff must receive the necessary training for calibrating laboratory ovens to ensure this process is carried out correctly..
Unique features of the FG smart laboratory oven
- Excellent uniformity using HCT technology
- Fuzzy controller for precise device temperature
- Safety controller to ensure optimal performance
- Advanced air release valve with precise control capability
- Calibration menu via controller and online
- Data logger with the ability to record temperatures for up to two years
- Internal battery to record values in the event of a power outage for up to two hours
- Internet connectivity to control and program the device from anywhere in the world
The best laboratory oven manufacturer
FG, as the leading manufacturer of laboratory equipment in Iran, is a pioneer in the production of smart laboratory ovens. This company, using advanced technologies and adhering to international standards, has started producing high-precision devices for laboratories and research centers.
Dimensions of FG Smart Laboratory Oven
- 55 liter laboratory oven
- 120 liter laboratory oven
- 240 liter laboratory oven
Laboratory oven price
The price of laboratory ovens varies depending on the type and size of the device. For more information and a price list for FG laboratory ovens, contact the company’s sales department.
Buy a laboratory oven
FG operates in the field of manufacturing and selling high-quality, smart laboratory ovens in accordance with the latest technologies. To purchase a laboratory oven and receive expert advice, contact our sales team.
