VWR Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator (Model 89511-420)
Reliable incubation begins with consistent temperature control. The VWR Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator (Model 89511-420) is designed to provide stable, uniform heating for microbiology, pharmaceutical quality control, environmental testing, food science, and routine laboratory applications. Featuring a 117-liter (4.0 cubic foot) chamber, precision microprocessor controls, and a gravity convection heating system, this incubator creates an ideal environment for laboratories requiring dependable performance while minimizing sample dehydration. Its compact footprint makes it an excellent choice for laboratories seeking high-capacity incubation without sacrificing valuable bench or floor space.
Unlike mechanical convection incubators that rely on circulating fans, the VWR 89511-420 uses gravity convection, allowing warm air to circulate naturally throughout the chamber. This gentle airflow minimizes evaporation from agar plates and other moisture-sensitive samples while maintaining outstanding temperature stability and uniformity. Operating from Ambient +5°C to 75°C, the incubator is suitable for microbiological cultures, quality assurance testing, media preparation, environmental monitoring, and numerous general laboratory heating applications. Purchasing a refurbished VWR 89511-420 from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with dependable laboratory equipment at significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment.
VWR Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator Key Features
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117 L (4.0 cu. ft.) chamber capacity
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Gravity convection heating system
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Temperature range from Ambient +5°C to 75°C
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PID microprocessor temperature controller
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Temperature stability of ±0.2°C at 37°C
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Temperature uniformity of ±0.6°C at 37°C
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Temperature setting resolution of 0.1°C
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Stainless steel interior chamber
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Powder-coated steel exterior
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Full-view inner glass observation door
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Two adjustable perforated stainless steel shelves included
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Nineteen shelf positions
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Rear access port for probes and monitoring equipment
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Approximately 35-minute heat-up time to 37°C
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Approximately 4-minute recovery time to 37°C
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Stackable cabinet design
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90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange
Designed for Reliable Laboratory Incubation
The VWR 89511-420 was engineered for laboratories requiring accurate, repeatable temperature control across a broad range of routine incubation applications. Its 117-liter chamber provides ample space for Petri dishes, culture tubes, media bottles, Erlenmeyer flasks, environmental samples, and quality control materials while maintaining excellent chamber uniformity.
The gravity convection heating system naturally circulates warm air throughout the chamber without the use of an internal fan. This minimizes unnecessary air movement, helping reduce evaporation and preserving sample integrity during prolonged incubation. Combined with precision PID controls and rapid recovery following door openings, the incubator delivers dependable performance for busy laboratory environments.
Common Applications
The VWR 89511-420 is commonly used for:
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Microbiology laboratories
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Bacterial culture
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Yeast and fungal culture
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Water quality testing
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Food safety analysis
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Environmental microbiology
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Pharmaceutical quality control
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Clinical microbiology
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Culture media incubation
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Stability studies
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Seed germination
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Educational laboratories
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General laboratory warming
Its broad operating temperature range and gravity convection heating make it suitable for both routine microbiological incubation and general laboratory heating applications.
Ideal Laboratory Environments
The VWR 89511-420 is well suited for pharmaceutical laboratories, biotechnology companies, food and beverage testing facilities, environmental laboratories, universities, hospitals, industrial quality control departments, and government research laboratories.
Laboratories that routinely incubate agar plates or moisture-sensitive samples often prefer gravity convection incubators because the gentle natural airflow minimizes drying while maintaining highly uniform chamber temperatures.
Temperature Uniformity and Gravity Convection Performance
The VWR 89511-420 utilizes gravity convection heating to provide stable incubation temperatures with minimal sample disturbance. Operating over a temperature range of Ambient +5°C to 75°C, the incubator achieves temperature stability of approximately ±0.2°C and chamber uniformity of approximately ±0.6°C at 37°C, helping ensure reproducible results across a wide range of laboratory applications. The PID controller maintains precise temperature regulation with 0.1°C resolution, while the insulated cabinet and internal glass door reduce heat loss during routine sample observation. Recovery to operating temperature following door openings typically occurs in approximately 4 minutes, supporting efficient laboratory workflows.
Laboratory-Friendly Design
Designed for everyday laboratory use, the VWR 89511-420 combines durable construction with practical features that simplify operation. The stainless steel chamber features rounded interior corners for easy cleaning, while the adjustable shelving system provides flexibility for a variety of sample sizes. A rear access port allows probes and monitoring equipment to be routed into the chamber without compromising temperature control, and the stackable cabinet design enables laboratories to expand incubation capacity while conserving valuable floor space. The result is a dependable gravity convection incubator built to provide years of reliable laboratory service.
Sample Storage Recommendations
The 117-liter (4.0 cubic foot) chamber of the VWR 89511-420 provides ample space for routine microbiological incubation and general laboratory applications. The chamber accommodates Petri dishes, agar plates, culture tubes, media bottles, Erlenmeyer flasks, environmental samples, food testing materials, pharmaceutical quality control samples, and other laboratory containers requiring consistent temperature control.
Two adjustable stainless steel shelves and 19 available shelf positions allow laboratories to configure the chamber for a variety of vessel sizes while maintaining proper airflow. For optimal temperature uniformity, samples should be evenly distributed throughout the chamber with sufficient clearance between shelves and chamber walls. Avoid overcrowding the chamber, as unrestricted natural airflow is essential for achieving consistent gravity convection performance.
Because the incubator relies on gentle natural convection rather than forced-air circulation, it is particularly well suited for agar plates and moisture-sensitive microbiological cultures that can dry more rapidly in mechanical convection incubators.
Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs
The VWR 89511-420 utilizes a gravity convection heating system that operates without an internal circulation fan, reducing mechanical complexity and minimizing routine maintenance. This simple design provides dependable temperature control while consuming less energy than many mechanically ventilated incubators and operates quietly in busy laboratory environments.
The insulated cabinet helps maintain stable chamber temperatures during continuous operation, while the corrosion-resistant stainless steel interior simplifies routine cleaning and long-term maintenance. The PID microprocessor controller continuously regulates chamber temperature with minimal operator intervention, contributing to dependable performance and low operating costs throughout the life of the incubator.
For laboratories requiring reliable incubation without the added maintenance of mechanical airflow systems, the VWR 89511-420 offers an economical solution for daily laboratory operation.
VWR Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator (Model 89511-420) Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
VWR |
| Model |
89511-420 |
| Incubator Type |
Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator |
| Chamber Capacity |
117 L (4.0 cu. ft.) |
| Temperature Range |
Ambient +5°C to 75°C |
| Temperature Stability |
±0.2°C at 37°C |
| Temperature Uniformity |
±0.6°C at 37°C |
| Temperature Resolution |
0.1°C |
| Heating System |
Gravity Convection |
| Chamber Material |
Stainless Steel |
| Interior Dimensions |
18.3" W × 16.3" D × 23.9" H |
| Exterior Dimensions |
25.0" W × 22.0" D × 32.0" H |
| Shelves |
2 supplied; adjustable |
| Shelf Positions |
19 |
| Electrical Requirements |
120 V, 60 Hz |
| Approximate Weight |
136.7 lb (62 kg) |
Specifications are believed to be accurate but may vary depending on production date or factory-installed options. Please verify all specifications prior to purchase.
VWR Gravity Convection General Purpose Incubator Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a gravity convection incubator instead of a mechanical convection model?
Gravity convection incubators rely on the natural movement of heated air rather than an internal circulation fan. This creates gentler airflow that helps minimize evaporation and sample drying while providing highly uniform temperatures for routine microbiological and laboratory applications.
What types of samples are commonly incubated in the VWR 89511-420?
The incubator is commonly used for bacterial cultures, fungal cultures, yeast cultures, agar plates, environmental samples, pharmaceutical quality control materials, food testing samples, culture media, water quality testing, and other laboratory specimens requiring controlled incubation temperatures.
Can the VWR 89511-420 be used for mammalian cell culture?
No. This is a general-purpose laboratory incubator and does not provide CO₂ control or high-humidity regulation required for mammalian cell culture. Laboratories performing tissue culture should instead use a dedicated CO₂ incubator.
How does the internal glass door improve performance?
The full-view inner glass door allows laboratory personnel to observe samples without opening the insulated exterior door, reducing heat loss and helping maintain stable chamber temperatures during routine inspections.
How flexible is the shelving system?
The incubator includes two adjustable stainless steel shelves and offers 19 shelf positions, allowing laboratories to configure the chamber for a wide range of sample containers while maximizing usable incubation space.
Is the VWR 89511-420 appropriate for quality control laboratories?
Yes. Its precise temperature control, gravity convection heating, and broad operating temperature range make it well suited for pharmaceutical manufacturing, food safety testing, environmental monitoring, industrial quality control, and educational laboratories.
What advantages does gravity convection offer for microbiological applications?
Gravity convection provides gentle natural airflow that reduces dehydration of agar media and minimizes disturbance of lightweight cultures while maintaining excellent chamber temperature uniformity.
Why purchase a refurbished VWR 89511-420 from American Instrument Exchange?
Purchasing a refurbished VWR 89511-420 from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with dependable laboratory incubation equipment at substantial savings compared with purchasing new equipment. Combining a 117-liter chamber, gravity convection heating, excellent temperature stability, and a durable stainless steel interior, this incubator delivers reliable performance for microbiology, environmental testing, pharmaceutical quality control, and general laboratory applications. Every incubator is inspected and tested prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty for added confidence.
