New Brunswick I26 Stackable Incubator Shaker
The New Brunswick I26 Incubator Shaker is a high-capacity, stackable orbital shaker designed for bacterial culture, yeast culture, recombinant protein expression, plasmid production, microbial fermentation, strain screening, inoculum preparation, and other laboratory applications requiring simultaneous temperature control and orbital agitation. Combining a 30 × 18-inch slide-out platform with a 1-inch orbit and temperature control from ambient +5°C to 60°C, the I26 provides substantial shake-flask capacity while helping laboratories make efficient use of available floor space.
A single New Brunswick I26 can operate from 25 to 400 rpm. The system was also designed for vertical stacking, with speeds up to 300 rpm in a two-unit stack and 250 rpm when three I26 shakers are stacked. This allows growing microbiology, biotechnology, fermentation, and protein-expression laboratories to increase culture capacity without dedicating additional floor space to multiple individual incubator shakers.
The I26 uses New Brunswick's triple-eccentric counterbalanced drive system, microprocessor controls, digital displays, a brushless DC motor, and a slide-out platform for easier access to cultures throughout the chamber. Its 30 × 18-inch platform can accommodate a wide range of vessels, including Erlenmeyer flasks and 2.8 L Fernbach flasks with the appropriate platform and clamps.
This New Brunswick I26 is available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange. AIE technicians inspect, clean, and test the incubator shaker before shipment, and the unit includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Key Features
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New Brunswick I26 stackable incubator shaker
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25–400 rpm speed range when operated as a single unit
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Up to 300 rpm in a two-unit stack
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Up to 250 rpm in a three-unit stack
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1-inch / 2.5 cm orbital motion
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Temperature range from ambient +5°C to 60°C
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Temperature uniformity of ±0.25°C at 37°C
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Speed-control accuracy of ±1 rpm
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30 × 18-inch slide-out shaking platform
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Triple-eccentric counterbalanced drive
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Solid-state DC brushless motor
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Microprocessor control of speed, temperature, and time
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Digital display and keypad
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Timed or continuous operation
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Nonvolatile memory with automatic restart after power interruption
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Compatible with flasks up to 2.8 L
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Stackable up to three units
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Used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day AIE warranty
Overview
The New Brunswick I26 combines high-capacity orbital shaking with a controlled heated environment in a cabinet designed for both standalone and stacked operation.
This combination is particularly useful for laboratories growing microbial cultures. Rather than placing an open-air shaker inside a separate incubator, the I26 integrates temperature control and orbital agitation into a single instrument.
The system is capable of handling numerous small and medium shake flasks or a smaller number of larger vessels. This makes it useful throughout several stages of microbial workflows, from clone screening and small-scale optimization through larger shake-flask cultures for protein expression, plasmid production, fermentation research, or inoculum preparation.
For facilities where culture demand continues to grow, additional I26 units can be stacked vertically to increase throughput while preserving valuable laboratory floor space.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
New Brunswick Scientific |
| Model |
I26 |
| Equipment Type |
Stackable Incubator Shaker |
| Refrigerated |
No |
| Speed Range – Single Unit |
25–400 rpm |
| Speed Range – Two Units Stacked |
25–300 rpm |
| Speed Range – Three Units Stacked |
25–250 rpm |
| Speed Control Accuracy |
±1 rpm |
| Orbit |
1 in. / 2.5 cm |
| Temperature Range |
Ambient +5°C to 60°C |
| Temperature Uniformity |
±0.25°C at 37°C |
| Platform Size |
30 × 18 in. / 76 × 46 cm |
| Platform Type |
Slide-out |
| Drive |
Triple-eccentric counterbalanced |
| Motor |
Solid-state DC brushless |
| Timer |
0.1–99.9 hours or continuous |
| Program Modes |
Constant speed/temperature or timed shaking |
| Overall Dimensions |
Approx. 50.5"W × 30.3"D × 27.6"H |
| Chamber Dimensions |
Approx. 34"W × 23"D × 15.5"H |
| Weight |
Approx. 370 lb. |
| Electrical |
120V, 60 Hz |
| Condition |
Used / Refurbished |
| AIE Warranty |
90 Days |
Common Applications
The New Brunswick I26 is particularly well suited for bacterial and yeast culture, recombinant protein expression, plasmid preparation, strain screening, microbial fermentation, media optimization, inoculum development, hybridization, solubility studies, extraction procedures, and other applications requiring sustained orbital agitation at a controlled temperature.
Its combination of platform area, flask capacity, and stackability makes it particularly useful in laboratories where microbial culture is a routine part of research or production-support workflows rather than an occasional experiment.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The I26 is a strong choice for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical research laboratories, microbiology groups, molecular biology laboratories, fermentation and process-development facilities, recombinant protein laboratories, synthetic biology groups, academic research laboratories, industrial biotechnology facilities, and other laboratories that regularly operate multiple shake-flask cultures.
Growing laboratories can also benefit from its modular approach to capacity. A facility can initially operate one I26 and later add additional compatible units vertically as culture demand increases.
30 × 18-Inch Slide-Out Platform
The 30 × 18-inch shaking platform provides substantial usable area for culture vessels while remaining accessible from the front of the shaker.
Rather than requiring researchers to reach deeply into the chamber to retrieve vessels positioned toward the rear, the platform slides outward to improve access during loading and unloading.
This can become especially useful when the shaker is densely loaded with numerous culture flasks.
The large platform also allows researchers to configure the I26 around their particular workflow, whether that involves many small screening cultures, intermediate-size protein-expression cultures, or several large shake flasks.
Flask Capacity & Vessel Flexibility
With the appropriate dedicated platform or clamps, the I26 can accommodate a broad range of Erlenmeyer and Fernbach flask sizes.
Manufacturer-era capacity information lists configurations for approximately 30 × 250 mL flasks, 14 × 500 mL flasks, 12 × 1 L flasks, 5 × 2 L flasks, or 6 × 2.8 L Fernbach flasks. Smaller vessels can provide substantially greater parallel capacity.
Actual capacity depends on the platform and clamp configuration installed on the specific shaker.
This range gives laboratories considerable flexibility to move between screening and scale-up work without changing incubator-shaker platforms.
2.8 L Fernbach Flask Compatibility
The chamber provides sufficient vertical clearance for 2.8 L Fernbach flasks when configured with the appropriate platform and clamps.
Fernbach flasks have a broad base that provides increased liquid surface area compared with conventional Erlenmeyer flasks of similar volume.
They are commonly used when researchers want strong aeration during microbial culture, fermentation development, biomass production, or recombinant protein-expression workflows.
The ability to accommodate up to six 2.8 L Fernbach flasks makes the I26 useful for laboratories working beyond small screening cultures but not yet ready to transfer a process into a larger bioreactor.
1-Inch Orbital Motion
The I26 uses a 1-inch / 2.5 cm orbit.
Orbit diameter plays an important role in determining liquid movement and gas transfer within shake flasks. Together with shaking speed, vessel geometry, and fill volume, it affects mixing intensity, oxygen transfer, and shear.
The 1-inch orbit is well suited to many microbial shake-flask applications and supports both small vessels and larger Erlenmeyer or Fernbach flasks.
When moving an established culture protocol onto the I26, researchers should consider both the previous shaker's rpm and its orbit diameter rather than matching rpm alone.
Speed Range & Stack Configuration
A single I26 can operate from approximately 25 to 400 rpm.
When two I26 shakers are stacked, the maximum recommended operating speed decreases to approximately 300 rpm. With three units stacked, maximum speed decreases to approximately 250 rpm.
This distinction is important when planning a stacked installation.
Many common bacterial and yeast cultures operate comfortably within the stacked speed ranges, but laboratories with protocols requiring particularly high shaking speeds should consider whether standalone operation is more appropriate.
Stack Up to Three I26 Shakers
Stackability is one of the I26's strongest commercial advantages.
Up to three compatible I26 units can be installed vertically, allowing a laboratory to operate three independently controlled shaking chambers while consuming approximately the floor footprint of a single unit.
Each chamber can run its own cultures and operating conditions.
This architecture can be particularly valuable in biotechnology facilities where several researchers share incubator-shaker capacity or where multiple strains, temperatures, speeds, or production schedules need to be maintained simultaneously.
Independent Culture Environments
A stacked I26 installation does not simply increase platform area. It provides multiple separate incubation environments.
One chamber might be used for E. coli cultures at 37°C while another operates yeast cultures at 30°C. Different shaking speeds and run durations can also be maintained independently.
This gives laboratories greater experimental flexibility than a single very large shaker containing all cultures in one chamber.
It also allows researchers to segregate projects or culture conditions when appropriate.
Temperature Range to 60°C
The non-refrigerated I26 provides temperature control from approximately 5°C above ambient to 60°C.
This comfortably covers common microbial culture temperatures such as 25°C, 30°C, and 37°C while providing additional range for other elevated-temperature incubation and mixing procedures.
Because the I26 is not refrigerated, it cannot actively maintain temperatures near or below room temperature.
Laboratories requiring low-temperature shaking should consider the refrigerated New Brunswick I26R or another refrigerated incubator shaker.
Temperature Uniformity
Temperature uniformity is specified at approximately ±0.25°C at 37°C.
Uniform chamber temperature is important when multiple cultures are distributed across a large shaking platform.
Significant temperature differences between the front, center, and rear of the chamber could introduce another variable into experiments.
The I26's forced-air incubation system is designed to circulate conditioned air throughout the chamber while cultures are being shaken.
Microprocessor Controls
Microprocessor controls regulate shaking speed, temperature, and run time.
A user-friendly keypad and digital display allow researchers to enter operating parameters and monitor the shaker during use.
The I26 supports constant speed and temperature operation as well as timed shaking.
This makes it straightforward to establish repeatable operating conditions for routine culture procedures.
Timed & Continuous Shaking
The I26 timer can be programmed from approximately 0.1 to 99.9 hours or set for continuous operation.
Timed operation can be useful for defined incubation procedures, while continuous operation supports overnight cultures and longer microbial growth experiments.
Researchers can therefore use the same instrument for both short controlled procedures and extended shake-flask culture.
Triple-Eccentric Counterbalanced Drive
New Brunswick's triple-eccentric counterbalanced drive is one of the most important mechanical features of the I26.
The drive system is designed to support demanding orbital-shaking workloads while maintaining stable platform motion.
Counterbalancing helps manage the forces generated by a heavily loaded platform moving at high speed.
This is particularly important for large-capacity incubator shakers, where numerous filled flasks can place substantial mechanical loads on the drive assembly.
Brushless DC Motor
The I26 uses a solid-state DC brushless motor.
Brushless motors eliminate conventional carbon brushes, removing a common motor wear component and reducing routine maintenance requirements.
This is beneficial for incubator shakers because many microbial culture procedures require continuous agitation for hours or days.
Bacterial Culture
Bacterial culture is one of the strongest applications for the New Brunswick I26.
The combination of controlled temperature and orbital agitation makes it well suited for E. coli and other appropriate microorganisms used in cloning, recombinant protein expression, plasmid preparation, strain development, synthetic biology, and general microbiology.
The large platform allows researchers to operate multiple cultures simultaneously, while the 1-inch orbit supports effective mixing and aeration in properly configured shake flasks.
Recombinant Protein Expression
Microbial recombinant protein production frequently begins with shake-flask cultures.
Researchers may screen several clones, media formulations, induction conditions, or expression temperatures before choosing the best process.
The I26 provides enough capacity to run numerous cultures in parallel while maintaining controlled temperature and shaking conditions.
Successful cultures can then be expanded into larger flasks on the same shaker before downstream harvesting and protein purification.
Plasmid Production
Plasmid preparation commonly requires bacterial cultures to grow for several hours or overnight under orbital agitation.
The I26's large platform makes it possible to operate many small or intermediate-volume cultures simultaneously.
For laboratories processing cloning projects, sequencing workflows, transfection plasmids, or other molecular biology samples, this can provide substantially more capacity than a small benchtop incubated shaker.
Yeast Culture
The I26 is also well suited to yeast culture.
Applications may include recombinant protein expression, strain engineering, metabolic studies, fermentation research, synthetic biology, and general microbiology.
Because different yeast strains and protocols may require different temperatures and agitation rates, the I26's independent temperature and speed controls allow researchers to adapt the shaker to the particular experiment.
Fermentation & Process Development
Shake-flask culture is often an early step in fermentation process development.
Before transferring a process into a bioreactor, researchers may compare organisms, media formulations, feeding strategies, induction conditions, temperatures, and other variables at smaller scale.
The I26 provides enough capacity to run multiple shake-flask conditions in parallel.
Larger Erlenmeyer and Fernbach flasks can also support inoculum development before transfer into bench-scale or larger fermentation equipment.
Inoculum Preparation
Bioreactor workflows often require healthy seed cultures before inoculation.
An incubator shaker such as the I26 can support these seed-train stages by providing controlled temperature and agitation during microbial growth.
The ability to work with vessels ranging from small screening flasks to 2.8 L Fernbach flasks gives researchers flexibility as culture volume increases.
New Brunswick I26 vs. I26R
The primary difference between the I26 and I26R is refrigeration.
The I26 is an incubated model with a minimum operating temperature approximately 5°C above ambient.
The I26R adds active refrigeration and can operate below room temperature, making it more appropriate for low-temperature induction, temperature-sensitive microbial processes, and other applications requiring cooling.
For routine bacterial and yeast cultures at temperatures such as 30°C or 37°C, the non-refrigerated I26 can provide the required temperature range without the additional refrigeration system.
New Brunswick I26 vs. Innova 44
The I26 shares the high-capacity, stackable concept associated with New Brunswick's Innova shaker family while providing a comparatively straightforward configuration.
Both platforms are designed for laboratories requiring substantial culture capacity and vertical stacking.
For buyers evaluating used equipment, the I26 can represent an attractive value when the primary requirements are dependable temperature-controlled orbital shaking, a large slide-out platform, and stackable operation rather than the additional features of more advanced Innova configurations.
New Brunswick I26 vs. Thermo MaxQ 6000
Both the I26 and Thermo MaxQ 6000 combine orbital shaking with temperature-controlled incubation, but their platform geometry and design differ.
The I26 provides a large 30 × 18-inch slide-out platform and a 1-inch orbit, with stacking of up to three units.
The MaxQ 6000 uses an 18 × 18-inch platform and a 19 mm orbit and provides a higher maximum incubation temperature.
The I26 can therefore be especially attractive when flask capacity, large platform area, and vertical expansion are major priorities.
New Brunswick I26 vs. a Benchtop Incubator Shaker
A benchtop incubator shaker may be sufficient for laboratories running only a few small cultures at a time.
The I26 is designed for substantially greater culture capacity.
Its 30 × 18-inch platform, compatibility with 2.8 L Fernbach flasks, large chamber, and stackable cabinet design make it better suited to laboratories where microbial culture is a routine high-throughput activity.
For a growing biotechnology company, this can postpone the point at which multiple unrelated small shakers must be distributed around the laboratory.
Space-Efficient Expansion
Floor space is expensive in biotechnology laboratories.
Adding three conventional floor incubator shakers side by side can consume a significant amount of valuable laboratory area.
The I26 addresses this problem by allowing compatible units to be stacked vertically.
A laboratory can begin with a single unit and potentially expand to two or three chambers as demand increases.
This makes the I26 particularly attractive for growing laboratories that expect culture throughput to increase over time.
Automatic Restart After Power Interruption
The I26 incorporates nonvolatile memory and automatic restart functionality.
If electrical power is interrupted, operating parameters are retained so the shaker can resume operation when power is restored.
This is valuable for overnight and extended microbial cultures, where an unnoticed short-duration power interruption could otherwise stop agitation for the remainder of an experiment.
Critical cultures should still be protected by appropriate facility monitoring and backup procedures.
Refurbishment & Testing by American Instrument Exchange
Incubator shakers require both mechanical and environmental systems to function correctly.
American Instrument Exchange technicians test used and refurbished incubators using calibrated temperature-recording equipment to verify temperature control and readout accuracy. The shaker's mechanical operation, speed control, platform motion, timer, controls, drive system, and general condition are also evaluated as applicable.
Hardware or components can be repaired or replaced as necessary during the refurbishment process, and the equipment is thoroughly cleaned before shipment.
Customers with particular temperature, speed, or application requirements can discuss additional testing needs with American Instrument Exchange before delivery.
Refurbished New Brunswick I26 Incubator Shakers from American Instrument Exchange
A refurbished New Brunswick I26 provides laboratories with access to a large-capacity, stackable incubator shaker while avoiding the acquisition cost associated with comparable new high-capacity shaking systems.
This can be particularly valuable for biotechnology startups, academic laboratories, protein-expression groups, microbiology facilities, fermentation laboratories, and established companies adding additional culture capacity.
American Instrument Exchange supplies refurbished incubator shakers along with open-air orbital shakers, centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, laboratory refrigerators, freezers, ultra-low freezers, water baths, and other laboratory equipment.
This New Brunswick I26 includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Shipping & Installation
The I26 is a substantial laboratory instrument, measuring approximately 50.5 inches wide × 30.3 inches deep × 27.6 inches high and weighing approximately 370 lb before accessories.
Laboratories should plan final placement before delivery, including door and hallway clearances, electrical access, ventilation, platform loading clearance, and future stacking requirements.
The unit operates on 120V, 60 Hz electrical service.
If multiple I26 units will be stacked, the appropriate manufacturer stacking arrangement should be used and the installation site should be suitable for the combined equipment weight and operating forces.
Related Laboratory Equipment
Laboratories using the New Brunswick I26 frequently require complementary equipment including centrifuges for culture harvesting, biosafety cabinets or clean benches for appropriate sample preparation, laboratory refrigerators for media and reagent storage, -20°C freezers, ultra-low temperature freezers, water baths, open-air orbital shakers, and larger fermentation or bioreactor systems.
American Instrument Exchange supplies used, refurbished, and new laboratory equipment for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, microbiology, molecular biology, fermentation, academic, and industrial research laboratories.
New Brunswick I26 Incubator Shaker FAQs
What is the New Brunswick I26?
The New Brunswick I26 is a stackable, non-refrigerated incubator shaker that combines temperature-controlled incubation with orbital agitation.
What is the speed range of the I26?
A single I26 can operate from approximately 25 to 400 rpm. Maximum recommended speed decreases when multiple units are stacked.
How fast can two stacked I26 shakers operate?
Two stacked units can operate at speeds up to approximately 300 rpm.
How fast can three stacked I26 shakers operate?
Three stacked units can operate at speeds up to approximately 250 rpm.
What is the orbit diameter?
The I26 uses a 1-inch / 2.5 cm orbit.
What is the temperature range?
The non-refrigerated I26 operates from approximately ambient +5°C to 60°C.
Is the New Brunswick I26 refrigerated?
No. The I26 is the non-refrigerated model. The I26R provides active refrigeration.
What is the platform size?
The I26 uses a 30 × 18-inch / 76 × 46 cm slide-out platform.
Why does the platform slide out?
The slide-out design improves access to flasks positioned throughout the chamber, particularly those located toward the rear.
Can the I26 hold 2.8 L Fernbach flasks?
Yes. With the appropriate platform configuration, the chamber can accommodate 2.8 L Fernbach flasks.
How many 2.8 L Fernbach flasks can it hold?
Manufacturer-era capacity information lists up to six 2.8 L Fernbach flasks with the appropriate dedicated platform.
How many 1 L flasks can it hold?
A dedicated configuration can accommodate approximately twelve 1 L Erlenmeyer flasks.
How many 500 mL flasks can it hold?
A dedicated platform can accommodate approximately fourteen 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks.
How many 250 mL flasks can it hold?
A dedicated platform can accommodate approximately thirty 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks.
Can the I26 be used for bacterial culture?
Yes. Bacterial shake-flask culture is one of the strongest applications for this type of incubator shaker.
Can it be used for E. coli culture?
Yes. The I26 is well suited for appropriately contained E. coli cultures used for cloning, recombinant protein expression, plasmid preparation, strain screening, and other research applications.
Is it suitable for recombinant protein expression?
Yes. Its large platform and controlled incubation environment make it useful for microbial recombinant protein-expression workflows.
Can the I26 be used for yeast culture?
Yes. The I26 can support a variety of yeast culture and fermentation applications.
Can it be used for fermentation research?
Yes. The I26 is well suited to shake-flask fermentation, process development, media optimization, strain screening, and inoculum preparation.
Can I stack New Brunswick I26 shakers?
Yes. The system was designed to support configurations of up to three compatible units.
Does each stacked unit operate independently?
Yes. Each shaker provides its own controlled incubation and shaking environment.
Does the I26 have a timer?
Yes. The timer operates from approximately 0.1 to 99.9 hours or can be set for continuous operation.
Will it restart after a power failure?
The I26 incorporates nonvolatile memory and automatic restart functionality following restoration of power.
What type of drive does it use?
The I26 uses New Brunswick's triple-eccentric counterbalanced orbital drive.
What type of motor does it use?
The system uses a solid-state DC brushless motor.
What are the overall dimensions?
The I26 measures approximately 50.5"W × 30.3"D × 27.6"H.
How much does the I26 weigh?
Manufacturer specifications list the non-refrigerated I26 at approximately 370 lb without accessories.
What electrical service does it require?
The U.S. I26 configuration uses 120V, 60 Hz power.
Is this New Brunswick I26 available refurbished?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange offers this I26 used and refurbished.
What warranty is included?
The current AIE listing includes a 90-day warranty.
Click here to read a review of the New Brunswick I26 on our blog!
