Thermo Forma Series II 3110 Water-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator
The Thermo Forma Series II 3110 CO₂ Incubator is a full-size, water-jacketed cell culture incubator designed for laboratories that prioritize temperature stability, dependable CO₂ control, and contamination protection. With a 184 L (6.5 cu. ft.) polished stainless steel chamber, thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor, in-chamber HEPA filtration, and a substantial 11.7-gallon water jacket, the Forma 3110 provides a stable environment for routine and long-duration cell culture applications.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the Forma Series II 3110 remains a strong choice for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical, and academic laboratories seeking a proven CO₂ incubator at a lower cost than purchasing new. Its combination of water-jacketed thermal stability, continuous HEPA-filtered airflow, high humidity, and a heated inner glass door makes the 3110 particularly well suited for laboratories maintaining valuable cultures over extended periods.
Key Features
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184 L (6.5 cu. ft.) cell culture chamber
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Water-jacketed design for excellent thermal stability
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11.7-gallon (43.5 L) water jacket
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Temperature range from approximately 5°C above ambient to 50°C
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0–20% CO₂ concentration range
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Thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor
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In-chamber HEPA filtration continuously filters chamber air
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ISO Class 5 air quality achievable under specified operating conditions
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Heated dual-pane inner glass door helps minimize condensation
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Polished Type 304 stainless steel interior with coved corners
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Enviro-Scan microprocessor control and alarm system
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High-humidity operation with removable humidity pan
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Professionally inspected and tested by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day warranty included
Thermo Forma Series II 3110 CO₂ Incubator Overview
The Forma Series II 3110 is built around a water-jacketed incubation chamber, an established design that provides excellent temperature stability by surrounding the culture chamber with a large volume of heated water. The approximately 11.7-gallon water jacket creates substantial thermal mass, helping buffer cultures against short-term changes in ambient conditions and slowing temperature loss during temporary power interruptions.
Inside, the 184-liter chamber provides ample space for laboratories maintaining multiple cultures or running several experiments simultaneously. The polished stainless steel interior incorporates coved corners for easier cleaning, while removable shelves and supports allow researchers to reconfigure the chamber for different vessel sizes and culture requirements.
An in-chamber fan gently circulates conditioned air to promote homogeneous conditions throughout the incubator. The heated dual-pane inner glass door helps reduce condensation while allowing researchers to inspect cultures without fully opening the chamber and unnecessarily disrupting temperature, humidity, and CO₂ conditions.
The 3110 uses Thermo's Enviro-Scan microprocessor control system, providing straightforward monitoring of operating conditions along with configurable alarm functions. For laboratories looking for a dependable workhorse incubator rather than specialized hypoxic or tri-gas capabilities, the 3110 offers a strong balance of culture capacity, environmental stability, and contamination control.
Common Applications
The Thermo Forma Series II 3110 is suitable for mammalian cell culture, cancer research, immunology, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, tissue culture, primary cell research, hybridoma production, microbiological research, vaccine development, and other applications requiring stable temperature, humidity, and CO₂ conditions.
Its 184 L chamber is large enough for shared research groups and laboratories maintaining multiple cultures at the same time, while the adjustable shelving makes it possible to accommodate different vessel formats and experimental layouts. The 3110 can serve as a primary cell culture incubator, add capacity to a growing laboratory, or provide a dedicated chamber for particular projects or cell lines.
Complete cell culture workflows often pair a CO₂ incubator with biosafety cabinets for aseptic culture handling and laboratory centrifuges for cell harvesting, washing, and sample processing. Laboratory refrigerators can be used for media and reagent storage, while ultra-low temperature freezers provide longer-term preservation for cells and other biological materials.
Cell Types & Culture Recommendations
The Forma Series II 3110 provides the temperature, CO₂, and humidity conditions required for a wide variety of conventional cell culture protocols. Its full-size chamber makes it particularly appropriate for laboratories maintaining several cell lines or higher quantities of culture vessels.
Common Cell Types
Typical Culture Vessels
Standard stainless steel shelves measure approximately 18.5 × 18.5 inches, providing substantial usable surface area for flasks, plates, and dishes. Shelves and supports can be removed or repositioned without tools, allowing the chamber configuration to change as laboratory requirements evolve.
Unlike other models in the Forma Series II family that were available with oxygen control, the Model 3110 is specifically a CO₂ incubator without O₂ control. Laboratories performing hypoxic or hyperoxic culture should select an appropriately configured tri-gas model rather than assuming that all incubators in the 3100 Series provide oxygen regulation.
Environmental Control & Contamination Protection
The water jacket is one of the primary reasons laboratories continue to use the Forma 3110. Its large thermal mass helps maintain stable chamber temperatures over long incubation periods and provides a degree of protection against rapid temperature changes if laboratory conditions fluctuate. Triple-wall cabinet construction further supports temperature uniformity and stability.
Contamination control is enhanced by an in-chamber HEPA filtration system that continuously circulates chamber air through a high-efficiency filter. Under specified conditions, the system filters the entire chamber air volume approximately once every 60 seconds and can restore ISO Class 5 air quality within approximately five minutes following a door opening. Continuous filtration helps minimize the opportunity for airborne contaminants to settle onto chamber surfaces or culture vessels.
The polished stainless steel chamber provides a durable, non-corrosive surface for routine cleaning, and its coved corners minimize difficult-to-reach areas. Shelves and supports are removable without tools, simplifying more thorough chamber cleaning when required.
A heated dual-pane inner glass door helps prevent condensation while allowing cultures to be observed without opening the inner chamber. Passive humidification from a removable water pan provides the elevated humidity needed to reduce evaporation from culture media during extended incubation.
The Model 3110 uses a thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor to regulate concentrations from 0–20%. The Enviro-Scan controller monitors operating conditions and provides configurable audible and visual alarms, while dual temperature probes and independent over-temperature protection provide additional safeguards for valuable cultures.
Together, the water-jacketed chamber, continuous HEPA filtration, high humidity, heated inner door, and CO₂ monitoring make the Forma Series II 3110 a particularly strong choice for laboratories where long-term environmental stability is more important than specialized atmospheric control.
Thermo Forma Series II 3110 CO₂ Incubator Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Thermo Scientific / Forma |
| Model |
Series II 3110 |
| Equipment Type |
Water-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator |
| Chamber Capacity |
184 L (6.5 cu. ft.) |
| Temperature Range |
Ambient +5°C to 50°C |
| CO₂ Range |
0–20% |
| CO₂ Sensor |
Thermal conductivity (TC) |
| Oxygen Control |
None |
| Relative Humidity |
High-humidity operation; approximately 90% RH at 37°C |
| Humidity Source |
Removable water pan |
| Chamber Air Filtration |
In-chamber HEPA filtration |
| HEPA Air Exchange |
Entire chamber volume filtered approximately every 60 seconds |
| Chamber Material |
Type 304 polished stainless steel |
| Water Jacket Capacity |
11.7 gal. (43.5 L) |
| Inner Door |
Heated dual-pane glass |
| Standard Shelves |
4 perforated stainless steel shelves |
| Maximum Shelves |
16 |
| Shelf Dimensions |
18.5"W × 18.5"D |
| Interior Dimensions (W × D × H) |
21.3" × 20" × 26.8" |
| Exterior Dimensions (W × D × H) |
26.3" × 25" × 39.5" |
| Electrical Requirements |
115/120V, 50/60 Hz, single phase |
| Full Load Amperage |
3.6 A |
| Approximate Weight |
365 lb. |
| Controls |
Enviro-Scan microprocessor |
| Data Outputs |
Optional, configuration dependent |
Specifications may vary according to production date, installed options, and individual unit configuration. Confirm electrical requirements, shelving, HEPA filter condition, accessories, and other details for the specific incubator before purchase.
Thermo Forma Series II 3110 CO₂ Incubator Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of the water jacket in the Forma 3110?
The 11.7-gallon water jacket adds substantial thermal mass around the culture chamber. This helps resist rapid temperature fluctuations and slows temperature loss during brief power interruptions, making the 3110 particularly useful for long-duration cultures where temperature stability is important.
Does the Thermo Forma 3110 have HEPA filtration?
Yes. The Series II 3110 incorporates an in-chamber HEPA filtration system that continuously filters chamber air. Under specified operating conditions, the entire chamber volume passes through the filter approximately once every 60 seconds.
What type of CO₂ sensor does the Model 3110 use?
The Forma 3110 uses a thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensor and provides a CO₂ concentration range of 0–20%. Other models in the Series II family were offered with infrared CO₂ sensors, so the exact model number is important when comparing used Forma incubators.
Does the Forma 3110 provide oxygen control?
No. The Model 3110 does not provide O₂ control. Forma produced other versions of the Series II platform specifically for hypoxic and other controlled-oxygen applications.
Is a water-jacketed incubator better than a direct-heat incubator?
Neither design is universally better. Water-jacketed incubators such as the 3110 provide substantial thermal mass and excellent long-term temperature stability, while direct-heat designs can offer faster recovery and eliminate maintenance associated with filling a water jacket. The best choice depends on the laboratory's workflow and priorities.
Is this Thermo Forma Series II 3110 refurbished?
Yes. Used Thermo Forma Series II 3110 incubators offered by American Instrument Exchange are inspected and tested prior to shipment and include a 90-day warranty. Included shelves, filters, accessories, and individual configurations should be confirmed for the specific unit available.
