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Lab Equipment Every Chemistry Lab Needs

USED AND REFURBISHED CHEMISTRY LAB EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FROM AMERICAN INSTRUMENT EXCHANGE. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Cell culture lab packageStarting a new lab can be a daunting project, to say the least. However, purchasing used and refurbished chemistry lab equipment from American Instrument Exchange can simplify the process! First, you must determine a budget and decide whether to lease or purchase space. Additionally, hiring personnel adds to the number of details and decisions you must make. Fortunately, you only need a few basic pieces of equipment to get started. You can easily supplement and expand your equipment as your lab grows and your needs change.

So in no particular order, here are the most basic pieces of equipment that every chemistry lab needs to have in place:

Hotplate stirrer

Magnetic stirring hotplates mix and heat liquid solutions using a stir bar. They typically feature either ceramic or aluminum surfaces. Ceramic surfaces offer excellent chemical resistance but can only be used with glassware. In contrast, aluminum hotplates are generally more durable, resisting cracks or splits when bumped. Furthermore, they can be used with both glassware and metal containers. Currently, we have ceramic hotplates from Barnstead, Talboys, and Corning, along with aluminum-topped models from IKA.

Toploading and/or analytical balance

A balance for weighing substances and objects is essential in any chemistry lab. For most labs, a top-loading balance with a capacity of around 3 kg and sensitivity of 0.1 g or 0.01 g is sufficient. However, some labs require a low-capacity, high-sensitivity analytical balance, which offers accuracy to 0.1 mg. Depending on budget and available bench space, some labs opt for one of each. Mettler Toledo consistently produces excellent balances, from older AE vintages to the newer gel-button XS series.

Centrifuge

A durable centrifuge serves as a workhorse in any chemistry lab, isolating and separating suspensions and immiscible liquids. While non-refrigerated benchtop models suffice for most labs, those with higher throughput needs or volatile solutions may choose larger, more specialized machines. For basic tabletop units, consider the Eppendorf 5702, Beckman Allegra 6, or Thermo Sorvall ST 16. Each model offers reliability and efficiency for various lab applications.

Fume hood

A chemical fume hood is often one of the largest equipment expenses for a new lab. You can choose between ducted and ductless designs. These large units are specifically designed to protect workers by containing and removing harmful fumes, gases, vapors, or particulates. 

Traditional ducted fume hoods connect to an exhaust system, blower motor, or fan, pulling room air through the hood. In contrast, ductless units use carbon and HEPA filters to purify the air, trapping particulates and vapors before recirculating it back into the room. 

While ducted units are usually less expensive, they incur significant installation costs. On the other hand, ductless units have minimal installation costs but require more maintenance and periodic filter replacements. For more information, view our current supply of fume hoods here.

Oven

Drying ovens play a crucial role in removing solvents from chemical samples or drying glassware. Additionally, laboratory ovens come in various designs, including basic gravity convection, fan-driven mechanical convection, and vacuum ovens. Among these options, basic gravity ovens are generally the least expensive and often serve as a good choice for most chemistry labs. Their simplicity and cost-effectiveness make them ideal for routine laboratory tasks.

Pipette set

Pipettes serve as another essential workhorse in the lab. They transfer liquid between containers in precise, measurable, and repeatable amounts. To ensure accuracy, we clean and calibrate all our pipettes before shipping. For most labs, a basic set of single-channel pipettes from Rainin or Gilson is sufficient. However, some users prefer electronic or digital display models, such as the Rainin E4 XLS series, for enhanced convenience and precision.

Rotary Evaporator

Rotary evaporators effectively remove solvents from solutions. However, they can be a significant expense for many laboratories. Therefore, purchasing a refurbished rotary evaporator is an excellent way to stretch a limited startup budget. Rotovaps work by increasing the evaporation rate. They achieve this by reducing pressure, which lowers the boiling point, while rotating the sample to enhance the surface area and heating the solution. Buchi is the most well-known manufacturer, and we stock fully assembled Buchi systems with pumps, controllers, baths, and complete glassware assemblies. 

Additionally, any chemistry lab will require an assortment of safety goggles, protective equipment, beakers, flasks, test tubes, racks, tongs, crucibles, funnels, Bunsen burners, and consumables. We can assist you in selecting and procuring these essential items.

Contact us today to start setting up your lab with quality refurbished chemistry lab equipment

Our expericned, knowledgable staff is ready to assist you with all of your refurbished chemistry lab equipment needs. Give us a call at 978-521-2221, or reach out by email at info@americaninstrument.com. 

American Instrument Exchange has been a reliable source for used laboratory and scientific equipment for over 50 years, buying and selling equipment since 1969. Our surplus lab equipment is reconditioned for many types of laboratories, including biotech, biomedical, medical research, chemical, pharmaceutical, and university and hospital research laboratories.

All lab equipment listed on our website is in stock and ships from our 30,000 square foot warehouse in Massachusetts. Our facilities include a fully equipped shop with highly trained technicians who thoroughly test each instrument before it reaches your laboratory. Please visit our website at https://www.americaninstrument.com/.

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