Lab vacuum ovens are designed to maintain the proper temperature and pressure, making them easier to use than their non-vacuum counterparts. However, before you can start using one, you'll have to learn a few of the do and don'ts that have been established.
If you find yourself with the great opportunity to work with a laboratory vacuum oven, don't forget about these do's and don'ts.
The following list is an overview of what not to do with lab vacuum ovens:
1) Do not turn on the heater or fans inside a laboratory vacuum oven until it is totally cold. This will cause overheating and possible damage. Work near the apparatus only when it is cool enough; if possible, make sure your laboratory has a chiller unit for this purpose.
2) Do not use the oven with metal clothing, such as gloves or apron. Accumulation of gas in a laboratory vacuum oven can cause the fire to spread and burn your clothes.
3) Do not place lab equipment or items directly on top of the apparatus. Accumulation of hot air in a laboratory vacuum oven can cause them to overheat and melt.
4) Do not place heavy containers on top of the apparatus. Accumulation of hot air in a laboratory vacuum oven can cause them to warp or crack.
5) Never leave lab equipment inside the apparatus overnight because it may collect dust, later on, causing overheating and possible damage to equipment.
6) Keep the coils free of the residue by periodically vacuuming them. This will increase their longevity and maximize performance.
7) Ensure that the interior is clean before use by vacuuming or wiping down any residues left behind after cleaning the vacuum oven; this will avoid contamination of samples.
8) Don't rely on other people to maintain your vacuum oven for you; it's easy to neglect maintenance once somebody else takes care of it. Treat it like your own responsibility so that everything goes smoothly in your lab.
Final Wordings
You have read the whole information, and you are now familiar with the do's and don'ts of vacuum ovens. The use of lab vacuum ovens to store samples or equipment is one very common thing in labs. However, not many people know how to take care of them. When working with laboratory vacuum ovens, there are certain do's and don'ts that you should follow, and you can get details from the above-listed description.
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