VWR 1535 General Purpose Incubator
The VWR 1535 General Purpose Incubator is a spacious warm-air laboratory incubator designed for microbiology, clinical, pharmaceutical, industrial, and research applications requiring stable elevated temperatures without CO₂ control or refrigeration. With a 6.67 cu. ft. chamber, microprocessor temperature control, excellent temperature uniformity, and VWR's Hybrid Heating System, the 1535 provides substantially more usable space than a compact benchtop incubator while maintaining a relatively straightforward design for routine laboratory work.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the VWR 1535 is a practical choice for laboratories performing microbial culture, sample incubation, stability work, and other temperature-controlled procedures. The full-length inner glass door allows samples to be observed without opening the chamber and unnecessarily disturbing the internal environment, while the stainless steel interior provides a durable, cleanable workspace for everyday laboratory use.
Key Features
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6.67 cu. ft. single-chamber capacity
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Temperature range from ambient +5°C to 60°C
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±0.25°C temperature uniformity at 37°C
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Microprocessor temperature control
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VWR Hybrid Heating System
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Heating elements incorporated into the chamber walls, bottom, and door
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Full-length inner glass observation door
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Stainless steel interior and shelving
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Independent over-temperature protection
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Through-wall access port for external monitoring equipment
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Adjustable shelving for flexible sample configurations
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120V, 50/60 Hz electrical requirements
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Professionally inspected and tested by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day warranty included
VWR 1535 General Purpose Incubator Overview
The VWR 1535 is designed for laboratories that need considerably more chamber space than a small benchtop incubator but do not require CO₂ regulation, refrigeration, or other specialized environmental controls. Its 6.67 cu. ft. interior provides ample room for bottles, flasks, plates, containers, and other laboratory samples while remaining compact enough for many under-counter or benchtop installations.
A defining feature of the VWR 1500 Series is its Hybrid Heating System. Rather than relying on a single heat source, heating elements are incorporated into the chamber walls, bottom, and door to create a warm-air jacket around the interior. This approach promotes even heat distribution and helps the incubator recover temperature after routine door openings.
The full-length inner glass door is another practical feature for laboratories that need to check samples regularly. Researchers can visually inspect cultures, containers, and experimental setups without opening the inner chamber and releasing heated air. This helps reduce temperature disturbances and can improve consistency during longer incubation periods.
Microprocessor controls allow users to set and monitor chamber temperature, while the temperature display can be calibrated against a secondary reference thermometer. A separate over-temperature safety controller provides additional protection for samples if the primary temperature-control system exceeds the established limit.
Common Applications
The VWR 1535 is well suited for general-purpose incubation in microbiology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical, environmental, food science, industrial, and academic laboratories. Typical applications include microbial culture, bacterial growth studies, sample conditioning, biochemical reactions, microbiological testing, media warming, stability studies, quality-control procedures, and other protocols requiring temperatures moderately above ambient.
Its large chamber is particularly useful for laboratories processing multiple samples simultaneously or working with containers that would be difficult to accommodate in a compact incubator. Adjustable shelves allow the interior to be reorganized for different vessel heights and sample volumes as laboratory requirements change.
Laboratories performing microbiological work may use the VWR 1535 alongside biosafety cabinets or clean benches for controlled sample handling, while laboratory refrigerators and laboratory freezers can provide complementary storage for media, reagents, cultures, and other temperature-sensitive materials.
Sample Types & Incubation Recommendations
Because the VWR 1535 is a general-purpose incubator rather than a CO₂ cell culture incubator, it is best suited for samples and organisms that require controlled elevated temperature without a regulated CO₂ atmosphere.
Common Samples & Applications
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Bacterial cultures
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Microbiological samples
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Culture media
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Environmental samples
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Food and beverage testing samples
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Pharmaceutical quality-control samples
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Clinical and research specimens
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Temperature-conditioning and stability samples
Typical Laboratory Vessels
The 24"W × 24"D × 20"H interior provides enough room to accommodate a variety of vessel formats, while adjustable shelving allows laboratories to balance sample capacity with the vertical clearance required for larger containers.
The VWR 1535 should not be confused with a CO₂ incubator intended for conventional mammalian cell culture. Applications requiring controlled carbon dioxide, high humidity, or specialized atmospheric conditions should instead use an appropriately equipped CO₂ incubator.
Temperature Control & Uniformity
Consistent temperature is the primary performance requirement for a general-purpose laboratory incubator, and the VWR 1535's heating system is specifically designed to promote uniform conditions throughout its relatively large chamber.
Heating elements located in the walls, bottom, and door create a warm-air jacket surrounding the interior rather than concentrating heat in one area. This design helps minimize hot and cold zones while supporting faster temperature recovery after the door has been opened. Temperature uniformity for the VWR 1535 is specified at ±0.25°C at 37°C, making it well suited for applications where samples distributed across multiple shelves should experience similar incubation conditions.
The microprocessor controller provides straightforward temperature setting and monitoring, and the displayed temperature can be calibrated against a secondary thermometer when required by laboratory procedures. An independent safety controller provides separate over-temperature protection and activates a visual alarm if the safety limit is reached.
The inner glass door further supports environmental stability by allowing researchers to observe samples without opening the chamber itself. For laboratories that access an incubator frequently throughout the workday, reducing unnecessary door openings can help maintain more consistent temperatures and shorten recovery periods.
VWR 1535 General Purpose Incubator Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
VWR |
| Model |
1535 |
| Equipment Type |
General Purpose Warm-Air Incubator |
| Chamber Capacity |
6.67 cu. ft. |
| Temperature Range |
Ambient +5°C to 60°C |
| Temperature Uniformity |
±0.25°C at 37°C |
| Temperature Control |
Microprocessor |
| Heating System |
Hybrid Heating System |
| Inner Door |
Full-length glass observation door |
| Interior Material |
Stainless steel |
| Shelving |
Adjustable stainless steel shelves |
| Access Port |
Through-wall access port |
| Over-Temperature Protection |
Independent safety controller |
| Interior Dimensions (W × D × H) |
24" × 24" × 20" |
| Exterior Dimensions (W × D × H) |
30" × 30" × 32" |
| Electrical Requirements |
120V, 50/60 Hz |
| Approximate Weight |
110 lb. (AIE-listed unit) |
Specifications are based on the American Instrument Exchange listing for this individual unit and available VWR technical literature. Specifications may vary by production version; confirm electrical requirements, shelving, accessories, and other details before purchase.
VWR 1535 General Purpose Incubator Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VWR 1535 a CO₂ incubator?
No. The VWR 1535 is a general-purpose warm-air incubator and does not regulate CO₂ concentration. It is designed for microbiological, clinical, pharmaceutical, industrial, and other laboratory applications requiring controlled elevated temperatures without a specialized gas atmosphere.
What is the advantage of the VWR Hybrid Heating System?
Heating elements are positioned in the walls, bottom, and door to surround the chamber with controlled heat. This arrangement promotes temperature uniformity and helps the incubator recover after routine door openings.
How much chamber space does the VWR 1535 provide?
The incubator provides approximately 6.67 cu. ft. of capacity, with interior dimensions of 24"W × 24"D × 20"H. This makes it a relatively spacious general-purpose incubator capable of accommodating multiple samples or larger laboratory containers.
Can samples be viewed without opening the chamber?
Yes. The VWR 1535 incorporates a full-length inner glass door, allowing researchers to inspect samples without fully opening the incubation chamber. This helps minimize temperature loss and unnecessary environmental disturbances.
What types of samples can be incubated in the VWR 1535?
Typical applications include bacterial cultures, microbiological samples, media, environmental samples, pharmaceutical quality-control samples, food testing samples, and other materials requiring controlled temperatures above ambient. The suitability of the incubator should always be evaluated against the specific temperature and environmental requirements of the protocol.
Is this VWR 1535 refurbished?
Yes. Used VWR 1535 incubators offered by American Instrument Exchange are inspected, cleaned, and tested prior to shipment. Temperature-controlled equipment is tested to verify temperature accuracy and performance, and refurbished equipment includes a 90-day warranty.
