VWR 5216 Co2 Incubator

Brand : VWR

Product Code : SKU 3186P INC

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VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator

Creating a stable environment for mammalian cell culture requires precise control of temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and humidity. The VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator was designed to provide dependable environmental control within a 5 cubic foot chamber, making it an excellent choice for biotechnology laboratories, pharmaceutical research, university core facilities, and clinical research applications. Its air-jacketed heating system delivers rapid temperature recovery following door openings while maintaining excellent chamber uniformity for sensitive cell culture work.

Designed specifically for tissue culture applications, the VWR 5216 maintains the controlled conditions required for mammalian cells, stem cells, hybridomas, primary cell cultures, and other CO₂-dependent cultures. The stainless steel chamber, digital microprocessor controls, and integrated humidity system help create an optimal environment for reproducible cell growth while simplifying routine operation and maintenance. Purchasing a refurbished VWR 5216 from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with dependable CO₂ incubation equipment at substantial savings compared with purchasing a new incubator.

VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator Key Features

Approximately 5 cubic foot chamber capacity
Air-jacketed heating system
Digital microprocessor controller
Precise temperature and CO₂ regulation
Stainless steel chamber
Heated glass inner door
Adjustable stainless steel shelving
Integrated humidity reservoir
Rapid temperature recovery after door openings
Uniform chamber conditions for cell culture
Designed for mammalian cell culture applications
115 V operation
90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Designed for Reliable Mammalian Cell Culture

The VWR 5216 was engineered to provide the stable environmental conditions required for routine and advanced cell culture applications. Its approximately 5 cubic foot chamber accommodates tissue culture flasks, roller bottles, culture plates, multiwell plates, and other laboratory vessels while maintaining precise temperature and carbon dioxide conditions throughout the chamber.

The air-jacketed heating system surrounds the incubation chamber with controlled heat, allowing rapid recovery after door openings without the maintenance requirements associated with water-jacketed incubators. Combined with accurate CO₂ control and high humidity, the incubator helps maintain physiological pH in bicarbonate-buffered media while minimizing evaporation from valuable cell cultures.

Common Applications

The VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator is commonly used for:

Mammalian cell culture
Stem cell research
Primary cell culture
Hybridoma production
Cancer research
Molecular biology
Immunology
Regenerative medicine
Pharmaceutical research
Biotechnology research
Clinical research laboratories
Tissue engineering

Many laboratories pair the VWR 5216 with biosafety cabinets for aseptic cell culture procedures, centrifuges for cell harvesting and sample preparation, laboratory refrigerators for media and reagent storage, and ultra-low temperature freezers for long-term preservation of valuable cell lines.

Ideal Laboratory Environments

The VWR 5216 is well suited for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, academic research laboratories, hospitals, university core facilities, government research institutions, and contract research organizations performing routine or advanced mammalian cell culture. Its medium-capacity chamber provides sufficient space for growing multiple cell lines simultaneously while remaining compact enough for laboratories where floor space is limited.

Air-Jacketed Heating for Rapid Recovery and Stable Culture Conditions

Unlike water-jacketed incubators that rely on a thermal mass to maintain chamber temperature, the VWR 5216 utilizes an air-jacketed heating system that responds quickly to temperature changes and rapidly restores setpoint conditions after routine door openings. Combined with precise microprocessor control, regulated CO₂ delivery, and high relative humidity, the system creates a stable environment that supports healthy cell growth and reproducible experimental results. The stainless steel chamber and removable interior components simplify routine cleaning and help laboratories maintain good cell culture practices while reducing downtime between projects.

Typical Cell Types, Culture Vessels, and Sample Applications

The approximately 5 cubic foot chamber of the VWR 5216 provides ample space for laboratories performing routine and advanced mammalian cell culture. The incubator is designed to support the controlled temperature, CO₂ concentration, and humidity required for a wide variety of adherent and suspension cell lines used in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and academic research.

Common applications include mammalian cell lines such as CHO, HEK293, HeLa, Vero, MDCK, hybridomas, primary cell cultures, stem cells, fibroblasts, and other CO₂-dependent cultures. The chamber readily accommodates T-flasks, multi-layer flasks, cell culture dishes, multiwell plates, roller bottles, media bottles, and other tissue culture vessels commonly used in research and production laboratories.

For optimal environmental uniformity, culture vessels should be evenly distributed throughout the chamber while allowing adequate airflow between shelves. Maintaining the humidity reservoir at the recommended level helps reduce media evaporation and supports stable culture conditions during extended incubation periods.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

The VWR 5216 combines an air-jacketed heating system with digital microprocessor controls to deliver dependable performance while minimizing operating costs. Unlike water-jacketed incubators, the air-jacketed design eliminates the need to periodically fill, drain, or maintain a water jacket, reducing routine maintenance while allowing the incubator to reach operating temperature more quickly.

The insulated cabinet promotes efficient heat retention, while the responsive heating system rapidly restores chamber temperature following routine door openings. The stainless steel chamber is corrosion resistant and easy to clean, and the removable shelving simplifies routine maintenance. Together, these features help laboratories maximize instrument uptime while minimizing utility consumption and service requirements.

VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	VWR
Model	5216
Incubator Type	Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator
Chamber Capacity	Approximately 5 cu. ft.
Temperature Control	Digital Microprocessor
Heating System	Air-Jacketed
CO₂ Control	Electronic CO₂ regulation
Chamber Material	Stainless Steel
Inner Door	Heated Glass
Humidity System	Integrated Water Reservoir
Shelves Included	Adjustable Stainless Steel Shelves
Applications	Mammalian Cell Culture, Stem Cell Research, Hybridomas, Primary Cell Culture
Electrical Requirements	115 V, 60 Hz

Specifications are based on the information available for this unit and may vary depending on production date or factory-installed options. Please verify all specifications prior to purchase.

VWR 5216 Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator Frequently Asked Questions

What applications is the VWR 5216 designed for?

The VWR 5216 is designed for mammalian cell culture, stem cell research, hybridoma production, cancer research, tissue engineering, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology research, and other applications requiring precise control of temperature, CO₂ concentration, and humidity.

What are the advantages of an air-jacketed CO₂ incubator?

Air-jacketed incubators heat quickly, recover rapidly after door openings, and do not require maintenance of a surrounding water jacket. This design provides responsive temperature control while reducing routine maintenance requirements.

What types of cell cultures can be grown in the VWR 5216?

The incubator supports a wide variety of CO₂-dependent cultures, including CHO, HEK293, HeLa, Vero, MDCK, hybridomas, fibroblasts, stem cells, and many other adherent and suspension mammalian cell lines.

Why is humidity important in a CO₂ incubator?

Maintaining high relative humidity helps reduce evaporation from culture media, preserving media volume, osmolarity, and pH throughout extended incubation periods. Proper humidity contributes to healthier cell growth and more reproducible experimental results.

Is the chamber easy to clean?

Yes. The stainless steel chamber, removable shelves, smooth interior surfaces, and heated glass inner door simplify routine cleaning and support good cell culture practices.

What laboratories commonly use the VWR 5216?

The VWR 5216 is widely used in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, universities, hospitals, government research laboratories, contract research organizations, and clinical research facilities performing mammalian cell culture.

Why choose a refurbished VWR 5216 from American Instrument Exchange?

Purchasing a refurbished VWR 5216 from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with dependable CO₂ incubation equipment at significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment. Its approximately 5 cubic foot chamber, air-jacketed heating system, digital microprocessor controls, stainless steel interior, and integrated humidity system make it an excellent choice for routine and advanced cell culture applications. Every incubator is inspected and tested prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty for added confidence.

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.

Please contact our team at info@americaninstrument.com for more details.

FAQ

Does the equipment come with a warranty?

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.