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Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult CO₂ Incubator
The Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult CO₂ Incubator is a large-capacity cell culture incubator designed for laboratories requiring precise temperature, CO₂, and humidity control combined with advanced contamination protection. With an 11.4 cu. ft. (323 L) chamber, infrared CO₂ sensing, actively controlled humidity up to approximately 95% RH, HEPA-filtered airflow, and an automated 140°C sterilization cycle, the Steri-Cult 3310 provides a highly controlled environment for routine and demanding cell culture applications.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the Thermo 3310 is particularly well suited for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and academic research laboratories that require more culture capacity than a conventional benchtop CO₂ incubator. Its combination of large chamber volume, rapid environmental recovery, active humidification, and high-temperature sterilization makes it a capable platform for laboratories maintaining valuable or contamination-sensitive cultures.
Key Features
11.4 cu. ft. (approximately 323 L) cell culture chamber
Temperature range from ambient +5°C to 50°C
0–20% CO₂ control range
Infrared CO₂ sensor
CO₂ control accuracy of approximately ±0.1% at 5%
Actively controlled humidity from ambient to approximately 95% RH
External humidity reservoir
In-chamber HEPA air filtration
Class 100 air quality recovery following door openings
Microprocessor temperature, CO₂, and humidity controls
Five standard adjustable stainless steel shelves
Large-capacity chamber for high-volume cell culture
Professionally inspected and tested by American Instrument Exchange
90-day warranty included
Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult CO₂ Incubator Overview
The Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult was designed for laboratories that need greater capacity and environmental control than a conventional 5- to 7-cu.-ft. CO₂ incubator can provide. Its 11.4 cu. ft. chamber offers substantial space for multiple shelves of flasks, plates, dishes, bottles, and other culture vessels while maintaining carefully regulated temperature, CO₂, and humidity.
Temperature is controlled from approximately 5°C above ambient to 50°C using a microprocessor-based system. At a typical 37°C setpoint, the Steri-Cult platform provides temperature control of approximately ±0.1°C and uniformity of approximately ±0.2°C under specified operating conditions.
CO₂ concentration is adjustable from 0–20% and measured using an infrared sensor. IR sensing is particularly appropriate for a humidified cell culture environment because CO₂ measurement is less dependent on changes in temperature and relative humidity than thermal conductivity-based systems.
The Steri-Cult 3310 also actively regulates relative humidity rather than relying solely on passive evaporation from an open water pan. Combined with the large chamber, this provides a versatile environment for laboratories maintaining significant quantities of cultures or performing long-duration experiments where evaporation and environmental consistency are important concerns.
Common Applications
The Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult is well suited for mammalian cell culture, cancer research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, tissue engineering, immunology, primary cell research, hybridoma production, vaccine research, biomedical research, and other applications requiring stable temperature, CO₂, and high humidity.
Its 11.4 cu. ft. chamber makes the 3310 particularly useful for laboratories maintaining numerous cultures or several experimental projects simultaneously. Researchers can organize different cell lines or studies across multiple shelves while keeping them within the same controlled incubation environment.
The larger chamber can also accommodate culture vessels or specialized experimental setups that may be difficult to fit inside conventional CO₂ incubators. Five shelves are supplied as standard, while the chamber can accept additional shelves when greater culture density is needed.
Cell culture laboratories may use the Steri-Cult 3310 alongside biosafety cabinets for aseptic culture handling and laboratory centrifuges for cell harvesting, washing, and sample processing. Laboratory refrigerators provide convenient storage for media and reagents, while ultra-low temperature freezers support longer-term preservation of cells and other biological materials.
Cell Types & Culture Recommendations
The Thermo 3310 provides the controlled temperature, CO₂, and humidity required for a broad range of conventional cell culture protocols. Its large chamber is particularly useful for laboratories performing higher-volume culture work or maintaining multiple experiments simultaneously.
Common Cell Types
Mammalian cell lines
Primary cells
Fibroblasts
Epithelial cells
Immune cells
Hybridoma cultures
Cancer cell lines
Stem and progenitor cells
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical research cell lines
Typical Culture Vessels
T-flasks
Multiwell plates
Cell culture dishes
Petri dishes
Suspension culture flasks
Media bottles
Larger culture vessels
Specialized experimental equipment compatible with the chamber
The Steri-Cult 3310 includes five perforated stainless steel shelves as standard and can accommodate as many as 22 shelves when appropriate. Each shelf provides approximately 3.6 sq. ft. of surface area and supports up to approximately 50 lb. when stationary.
This flexibility allows laboratories to configure the chamber for relatively large vessels or increase usable culture surface when working with plates, dishes, and smaller flasks.
Environmental Control & Contamination Protection
Contamination control is one of the most important strengths of the Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult. Rather than relying solely on routine cleaning, the incubator combines HEPA-filtered airflow, external humidification, and an automated 140°C high-temperature sterilization cycle.
The in-chamber HEPA filtration system continuously filters circulating air to reduce airborne particulates. Following a routine door opening, the system is designed to restore Class 100 air quality within approximately five minutes. This can be especially valuable in high-use laboratories where repeated access increases the opportunity for contaminants to enter the culture environment.
Humidity is supplied through an external reservoir, allowing the water level to be checked without opening the incubation chamber. Relative humidity can be actively controlled from ambient conditions to approximately 95% RH, helping reduce evaporation from culture media during extended incubation.
Active humidity control provides an important advantage over incubators that depend exclusively on passive evaporation from an open water pan. Maintaining consistently high humidity can be particularly important when working with multiwell plates or other vessels containing relatively small volumes of culture media.
For periodic chamber decontamination, the Steri-Cult 3310 incorporates an automated 140°C sterilization cycle. The approximately 14-hour cycle exposes the chamber interior and installed components to elevated temperature, providing a comprehensive method of reducing contamination without requiring extensive disassembly of the incubator.
Safety features help protect both the operator and the equipment during sterilization. Access-code protection helps prevent accidental cycle initiation, and the incubator monitors door position and temperature while the sterilization process is underway.
The combination of HEPA filtration, active humidity regulation, infrared CO₂ sensing, rapid air-quality recovery, and high-temperature sterilization makes the Thermo 3310 particularly attractive for laboratories maintaining valuable cultures where contamination could result in significant lost time and research.
Specifications can vary according to production date and individual unit configuration. Confirm electrical requirements, shelving, humidity system, accessories, and other specifications for the individual incubator before purchase.
What is the advantage of the Thermo 3310's 11.4 cu. ft. chamber?
The 11.4 cu. ft. chamber provides substantially more usable culture capacity than a typical benchtop CO₂ incubator. It is particularly useful for laboratories maintaining large numbers of culture vessels, several simultaneous projects, or specialized experimental setups that require additional interior space.
How does the Thermo 3310 help reduce contamination?
The Steri-Cult 3310 combines several contamination-control systems. HEPA-filtered chamber airflow helps remove airborne particulates, the external humidification system reduces the need to manipulate an open water pan inside the chamber, and an automated 140°C sterilization cycle provides periodic high-temperature decontamination.
How quickly does the HEPA system restore clean chamber air?
Under specified conditions, the in-chamber HEPA filtration system is designed to restore Class 100 air quality within approximately five minutes after a door opening. This can be particularly valuable in busy cell culture laboratories where the incubator is accessed frequently.
Does the Thermo 3310 actively control humidity?
Yes. The Steri-Cult 3310 provides active humidity control from ambient conditions to approximately 95% RH using an external water reservoir. This distinguishes it from many CO₂ incubators that rely solely on passive evaporation from a water pan.
What is the purpose of the 140°C sterilization cycle?
The automated 140°C cycle provides a high-temperature method for periodically decontaminating the chamber interior and installed components. It can be useful between research projects, following suspected contamination, or as part of a laboratory's established incubator cleaning and contamination-control procedures.
Is this Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult refurbished?
Used Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult incubators offered by American Instrument Exchange are inspected, cleaned, and tested prior to shipment. Temperature-controlled equipment is evaluated using calibrated temperature-monitoring equipment, while CO₂ concentration, humidity, HEPA circulation, controls, alarms, and other installed functions are tested as applicable. Refurbished equipment includes a 90-day warranty.
Click Hereto see the Thermo 3310 Steri-Cult C02 on the American Instrument Youtube Channel
Testing Procedures for Used and Refurbished CO₂ Laboratory Incubators Ensure Atmosphere Control, Temperature Accuracy, and Regulatory Compliance
At American Instrument Exchange, all used and refurbished CO₂ incubators undergo a multi-step testing and calibration process. These procedures are designed to ensure precise environmental control, microbial safety, and long-term reliability—critical for cell culture, IVF, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical R&D applications.
Why Testing Used CO₂ Incubators Is Essential
Before a CO₂ incubator is redeployed into a laboratory, it must be thoroughly tested for:
• CO₂ sensor accuracy and gas concentration control
• Temperature uniformity and stability
• Humidity system function
• HEPA filtration and contamination control
• Electrical and safety compliance
Proper testing ensures viable growth environments for sensitive cultures and prevents costly contamination or culture loss in high-stakes lab environments.
Our standardized refurbishment protocol ensures used CO₂ incubators deliver laboratory grade performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable new units.
Key Testing Procedures for Refurbished and Used CO₂ Incubators
1. Initial Visual Inspection
• Inspect the exterior for corrosion, dents, or door alignment issues
• Check door gasket integrity and hinge function
• Verify presence and condition of internal shelves, water pans, and humidity trays
• Examine power cords, gas connectors, and display interfaces for signs of wear
2. Functional Startup Test
• Power on the unit and check for successful system boot
• Verify touchscreen or keypad response, and test all user-programmable settings
• Check door alarms and temperature/CO₂ alerts
3. Temperature Control and Uniformity Testing
• Use temperature probes to verify internal temperature accuracy
• Monitor temperature uniformity across multiple chamber zones
• Ensure fast recovery times after door openings
4. CO₂ Sensor Testing and Gas Delivery System Test
• Test accuracy of infrared (IR) or thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensors using certified reference gas and probes/Fyrite analyzers
• Test inlet pressure regulators and gas flow control systems
• Confirm stable CO₂ levels at multiple setpoints (e.g., 5%, 10%)
• Check for proper mixing and diffusion throughout the chamber
5. Humidity and Contamination Control Testing
• Test humidity generation (via water pan or active system) and verify chamber RH levels
• Inspect HEPA filters (if equipped) and airflow systems for particulate control
• Sanitize interior and confirm antimicrobial coatings or copper components are intact
6. Electrical Safety and Compliance Check
• Ensure proper grounding and insulation of all electrical components
• Perform leak and continuity testing
• Verify the unit meets electrical safety standards for laboratory environments
7. Final Quality Assurance and Performance Validation
• Run a 24-hour performance cycle with monitored CO₂, temperature, and RH
• Document data and final readings
• Complete service report
All refurbished CO₂ incubators sold by American Instrument Exchange are tested to meet the performance demands of today's advanced laboratory workflows—ensuring safety, precision, and peace of mind with every unit.
Repair and Refurbishment Protocol for Used Laboratory Incubators Performance and Quality from American Instrument Exchange
At American Instrument Exchange, every used laboratory incubator we sell goes through a repair and refurbishment protocol. Whether it’s a standard, CO₂, or refrigerated incubator, our goal is to restore each unit to laboratory-level performance—ensuring temperature accuracy, environmental stability, and long-term reliability in your lab.
Why Choose a Refurbished Laboratory Incubator from American Instrument Exchange?
• Fully tested for performance and safety
• Backed by a warranty
• Cost-effective alternative to new equipment
• Environmentally sustainable through reuse and restoration
• Refurbished by expert technicians with decades of lab equipment experience
Step-by-Step Refurbishment Protocol
Every incubator at American Instrument Exchange follows this comprehensive, multi-stage process:
1. Initial Intake & Inspection
• Visual inspection for cosmetic wear, corrosion, dents, or broken components
• Mechanical assessment of door hinges, gaskets, seals, and chamber components
• Document any missing parts or issues requiring repair or replacement
2. Cleaning and Decontamination
• Thorough internal and external cleaning using non-abrasive solutions
• Decontamination/cleaning of surfaces to remove biological, chemical, or particulate residue
• Cleaning of removable parts (e.g., shelves, trays, etc.)
3. Mechanical and Electrical Repair
• Repair or replacement of worn mechanical components such as door latches, fans, hinges, and seals
• Evaluation and repair of control panels, switches, thermostats, and displays
• Inspection and testing of wiring, fuses, relays, and power supplies
4. Environmental Control System Assessment
• For CO₂ incubators: CO₂ sensors, regulators, and gas delivery systems are tested
• For refrigerated incubators: compressors, condensers, and cooling systems are evaluated for performance and leaks
• Fan motors and airflow systems are tested to ensure uniform environmental conditions
5. Temperature and Sensor Testing
• All temperature sensors and controllers are tested using thermometers/probes
• Uniformity and accuracy tested at multiple chamber locations
• For humidified or CO₂ incubators, humidity and CO₂ stability are verified
6. Safety System Testing
• Test of over-temperature protection systems and alarms
• Evaluation of door sensors, safety interlocks, and power failure recovery
7. Final Quality Control and Documentation
• Full performance test run over 24 hours
• Validation of setpoints for temperature, CO₂ (if applicable), and humidity (if applicable)
• Final inspection and cleaning before packaging
• Complete service report
Trust the Experts at American Instrument Exchange
With over 50 years in the lab equipment industry, American Instrument Exchange is a trusted source for high-quality refurbished laboratory incubators. Our proven refurbishment protocol ensures every unit is reliable, accurate, and ready to meet the demands of your lab from day one.
Warranty Information
All used equipment sold by American Instrument Exchange is refurbished/reconditioned, tested to meet specifications, cleaned, and comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified. New products include a warranty from the manufacturer. Your warranty is only valid if you have paid your invoice. If your invoice is over 30 days old, warranty work will not be performed until your invoice is paid in full. American Instrument Exchange is not liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products,
Exceptions include international sales and items that are agreed to be sold with a lesser warranty or items that are agreed to be sold “as is.”
Should there be visible shipping damage to packaging or concealed shipping damage to item(s) supplied, buyer must communicate such damage to the delivering entity or carrier upon receipt first and to American Instrument the same day item is accepted / signed for. Failure to do so voids warranty. Customer decision to involve / procure third party or OEM service other than American Instrument or AIE assigned vendors to resolve in-warranty instrument failure or defect without first placing a service call to American Instrument voids warranty.
Return & Cancellation Policy
American Instrument Exchange will authorize the return of and issue a full refund for any equipment that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer’s satisfaction by AIE or a representative of AIE during the warranty period. Returns without prior authorization and an RMA number will not be accepted.
Customers are responsible for proper packaging of the equipment and all included accessories. American Instrument will pay for insurance and shipping costs. Non-inventory items bought specifically to fill customer orders may possibly be returned, but on a case by case basis.
Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun or after delivery where there are no equipment performance issues may be subject to a Restocking/Cancellation Fee of 20% or more and responsible for shipping costs for both the delivery and return.
Ongoing and Extended Support Options
American Instrument Exchange is able to provide additional repair and support services outside the warranty terms for most products that sell.
For biosafety cabinets, clean benches, chemical fume hoods, and other clean air products our team at AIE Laboratory Services can provide certifications, repairs, decontaminations, and other services for customers throughout New England, and guidance and limited technical assistance for any customers in the US and Canada for new or refurbished biosafety cabinets purchased from American Instrument Exchange.
For all other products, the repair service team at American Instrument Exchange can provide both field and depot repair evaluations. We can easily schedule and coordinate the pick-up and transportation of your malfunctioning equipment. By offering hourly rates lower than most OEM service providers and eliminating travel time for technicians, we help reduce repair costs. Furthermore, our lab depot repair service minimizes or eliminates scheduling delays. Our experienced service technicians are qualified to restore your equipment to factory specifications.
Yes, all equipment from American Instrument Exchange comes with a warranty. Used/reconditioned/refurbished equipment is tested to make sure it operates to the manufacturer's specifications and comes with a 90-day warranty (unless otherwise noted). New equipment comes with a warranty from the manufacturer.
How do you test and recondition the equipment?
Testing requirements vary across all the equipment categories we sell. Temperature controlled units are tested with NIST traceable probes and data loggers. Gaskets, external housing, glass, handles, controls and control screens are all thoroughly inspected for integrity and functionality. We test all equipment using the manufacturer's parameters and specifications to confirm that the unit operates properly.
How do products ship from American Instrument Exchange?
We can ship products both nationally and internationally using a well-established network of transporters. Smaller items will ship via UPS. Larger equipment will be palletized and shipped either LTL or air-ride, depending on the specific equipment and/or delivery requirements.
Return and order cancellation policy
American Instrument Exchange will accept the return of any product that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer's satisfaction during the warranty period. Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun will be subject to a cancellation and restocking fee of between 20% and 40%.
Are discounts available for educational or non-profit institutions, or for bulk purchases?
Yes – call or email us today with a list of equipment you're looking for and we can potentially put together a quote that includes a discount.
How does your price matching policy work?
We strive to keep our pricing competitive and reasonable. If you find comparable items for sale at a lower price from other vendors please send us a link and or quote for the item and we'll do our best to match or beat the price.
Can I see the equipment in person before committing to a purchase?
Customers are welcome to make an appointment to view equipment in our warehouse. Given our workload we may not be able to test or clean the equipment prior to your arrival if you have not committed to an order.
1023 Western Avenue is a working warehouse, not a showroom, and customers should dress appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.
Can I ship products that I purchased elsewhere to American Instrument for repair?
Yes – please see our repair services page for more information.
