Laboratory incubators

Main Benefits

• Accurate and stable temperature control for reproducible cultivation and growth processes.
• Choice of natural or forced convection, cooling, CO₂ regulation and climate control.
• Wide range of chamber volumes for research labs, QC departments and production environments.
• Energy-efficient ECO models and advanced EVO controllers with alarms, programs and data logging.
• Support for qualification and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) in regulated environments.

Types of Laboratory Incubators

• Natural convection incubators – gentle airflow without a fan, ideal for sensitive cultures and long-term incubation.
• Forced convection incubators – active air circulation for rapid temperature stabilisation and excellent uniformity in fully loaded chambers.
• Cooled incubators – temperature control below and around ambient, ideal for stability and conditioning studies.
• CO₂ incubators – controlled CO₂ environment for cell culture applications requiring precise pH stability.
• Climate chambers – advanced climate incubators with temperature and humidity control for stability and environmental testing.

Quick Selection Guide

• Sensitive samples requiring minimal turbulence: choose natural convection, for example Incucell ECO/EVO.
• Fast heating, short cycles and high uniformity: choose forced convection such as Incucell V ECO/EVO.
• Processes below ambient temperature or strict stability control: choose a cooled incubator like Friocell ECO/EVO.
• Photostability or advanced climate profiles: consider a climate chamber such as Climacell ECO/EVO.
• Cell culture requiring controlled CO₂: choose a CO₂ incubator such as CO₂Cell Standard/Comfort.

Applications

• Cultivation of bacteria, yeasts and fungi in microbiology laboratories.
• Cell culture and bioprocessing in biotechnology and life sciences.
• Sample storage, conditioning and stability studies.
• Quality control and shelf-life testing in food, beverage and cosmetics industries.

Industries

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories.
• Medical, microbiological and clinical labs.
• Food, beverage and cosmetics industry.
• Academic and industrial research institutes.

Brands Available in This Category

Labolutions supplies laboratory incubators from leading European manufacturers, ensuring a fit for both research environments and production settings.

• MMM Medcenter – comprehensive range including Incucell, Incucell V, Friocell, Climacell and CO₂Cell for demanding microbiology and pharmaceutical workflows.
• Phoenix Instrument – reliable and easy-to-use incubators and temperature instruments for general laboratory applications.

Certifications & Standards

• Manufactured according to ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• CE-marked and compliant with relevant EU directives.
• DIN 12880 test reports for temperature uniformity and stability (model dependent).
• IQ/OQ/PQ validation packages available for GMP environments.
• Support for logging and user management; 21 CFR Part 11 available on selected models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a broedstoof and an incubator?

In practice, the terms broedstoof and incubator refer to the same type of laboratory equipment. “Broedstoof” is the Dutch term, while “incubator” is used internationally.

Should I choose natural or forced convection?

Natural convection (e.g., Incucell) provides gentle, low-turbulence conditions, ideal for sensitive cultures and long-term incubation. Forced convection (Incucell V) offers fast temperature recovery and high uniformity when working with fully loaded chambers.

When is a cooled incubator the right choice?

A cooled incubator (Friocell) is recommended for processes below ambient temperature, stability testing or long-term storage where strict environmental control is necessary.

When do I need a CO₂ incubator?

CO₂ incubators (CO₂Cell) are required for cell culture applications where stable CO₂ concentration is needed to maintain physiological pH and growth conditions.

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