VWR WB20 20 Liter Digital Laboratory Water Bath
The VWR WB20 Digital Water Bath is a 20-liter general-purpose laboratory water bath designed for reliable heating, incubation, sample warming, reagent preparation, and temperature-controlled laboratory procedures. With a broad temperature range from approximately ambient +5°C to 100°C, digital microprocessor control, excellent temperature stability of approximately ±0.1°C, and temperature uniformity of approximately ±0.2°C at 37°C, the WB20 provides dependable performance for routine research, clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and industrial laboratory applications.
Its large 20-liter stainless-steel reservoir offers enough capacity for multiple racks, bottles, tubes, flasks, and other vessels while maintaining a relatively compact benchtop footprint. The digital controller allows users to select and monitor the desired temperature without relying on an analog dial, making the WB20 a practical choice for laboratories that need repeatable operating conditions across routine protocols.
A temperature range extending to 100°C provides considerably more flexibility than lower-temperature incubation baths. The WB20 can support common physiological-temperature applications around 37°C as well as higher-temperature procedures involving reagent warming, sample preparation, thawing, digestion, and other laboratory processes.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the VWR WB20 is inspected, cleaned, and tested for proper operation before shipment, offering laboratories an economical alternative to purchasing a comparable new digital water bath.
Key Features
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20-liter laboratory water bath
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Digital microprocessor temperature control
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Digital temperature display
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Temperature range of approximately ambient +5°C to 100°C
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Temperature stability approximately ±0.1°C
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Temperature uniformity approximately ±0.2°C at 37°C
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Large stainless-steel bath chamber
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Approximate 5.3-gallon capacity
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Spacious working area for multiple laboratory vessels
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120V, 60 Hz electrical configuration
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Approximately 12 A electrical draw
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Suitable for general-purpose laboratory heating
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Ideal for sample incubation and reagent warming
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Appropriate for microbiology and molecular biology workflows
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Useful for pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories
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Compatible with laboratory racks and appropriate bath accessories
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Used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange
Overview
Laboratory water baths provide an effective way to maintain samples at a controlled temperature without applying direct heat to the vessel.
Water has excellent heat-transfer characteristics and surrounds the sample container evenly, helping reduce localized hot spots that can occur with hot plates or other direct-contact heating methods.
The VWR WB20 is designed as a general-purpose digital water bath, making it useful for laboratories that need one versatile instrument for a wide variety of routine procedures.
Common uses include warming reagents, incubating samples, thawing materials, equilibrating buffers, maintaining media at working temperature, conducting biochemical reactions, and preparing samples for downstream analysis.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
VWR |
| Model |
WB20 |
| Equipment Type |
Digital General-Purpose Water Bath |
| Capacity |
20 L / 5.3 gal |
| Temperature Range |
Ambient +5°C to 100°C |
| Temperature Stability |
Approx. ±0.1°C
|
| Temperature Uniformity |
Approx. ±0.2°C at 37°C
|
| Control |
Digital microprocessor |
| Display |
Digital |
| Chamber Material |
Stainless steel |
| Bath Dimensions |
Approx. 9.5"L x 17.5"W x 5"H
|
| Metric Bath Dimensions |
Approx. 24.1 x 44.5 x 15.2 cm
|
| Electrical |
120V, 60 Hz |
| Current |
Approx. 12 A
|
| Condition |
Used / Refurbished |
| Supplier |
American Instrument Exchange |
Common Applications
The VWR WB20 is well suited for sample incubation, reagent warming, buffer equilibration, media preparation, thawing frozen materials, enzyme reactions, biochemical assays, microbiology procedures, molecular biology workflows, pharmaceutical research, quality-control testing, clinical research, environmental testing, and general laboratory sample preparation.
Its 20-liter capacity also makes it useful when several samples or vessels need to be held at the same temperature simultaneously.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The VWR WB20 is a practical choice for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, academic research facilities, hospital and clinical research laboratories, microbiology labs, molecular biology groups, chemistry laboratories, food-science laboratories, environmental testing facilities, quality-control departments, and industrial research laboratories.
It can also serve effectively as a shared general-purpose bath in multi-user laboratories.
20-Liter Capacity
The WB20 provides a nominal capacity of:
20 liters / approximately 5.3 gallons
This size offers a useful balance between working volume and benchtop footprint.
Compared with smaller baths, a 20-liter chamber allows users to accommodate:
This makes the WB20 especially useful in laboratories where several researchers share the same water bath.
Large Working Area
The internal bath dimensions are approximately:
9.5"L x 17.5"W x 5"H
or approximately:
24.1 x 44.5 x 15.2 cm
The wide chamber provides substantial usable surface area for arranging samples.
This can be more convenient than a narrow, deep bath when the laboratory needs to access multiple vessels during a procedure.
Ambient +5°C to 100°C Temperature Range
The VWR WB20 operates from approximately:
5°C above ambient temperature to 100°C
This broad operating range supports many common laboratory procedures.
Typical examples include:
37°C for biological incubation and reagent warming
42°C for selected molecular biology procedures
50–65°C for warming reagents or dissolving materials
Higher temperatures for specialized sample-preparation procedures
Because the WB20 does not incorporate refrigeration, it cannot actively operate below ambient temperature.
Temperature Stability of ±0.1°C
VWR specifies temperature stability of approximately:
±0.1°C
Temperature stability describes how closely the bath maintains its selected temperature over time after equilibrium has been reached.
Stable temperature control is particularly important for procedures involving:
Maintaining consistent conditions can improve reproducibility between experiments.
Temperature Uniformity of ±0.2°C at 37°C
Temperature uniformity across the bath is approximately:
±0.2°C at 37°C
Uniformity describes the amount of temperature variation between different locations in the reservoir.
In a larger 20-liter water bath, good uniformity is important because several samples may be positioned at different points within the chamber.
A well-performing bath helps ensure that a sample near one end of the reservoir experiences approximately the same conditions as a sample at the other end.
Digital Microprocessor Control
The WB20 uses a digital microprocessor controller rather than a simple analog thermostat.
Digital control provides several advantages for laboratory users:
This makes the WB20 particularly useful in laboratories where the same temperature conditions must be reproduced frequently.
Stainless-Steel Reservoir
The bath reservoir is constructed from stainless steel.
Stainless steel is widely used in laboratory water baths because it provides:
Users should still follow appropriate water-quality and cleaning recommendations to reduce mineral scale, corrosion, and biological buildup.
Applications at 37°C
One of the most common laboratory water-bath setpoints is 37°C.
This temperature is widely used because it approximates normal human physiological temperature.
The WB20 can therefore support procedures involving:
Its approximately ±0.1°C stability and ±0.2°C uniformity at 37°C make it particularly well suited for routine controlled-temperature workflows at this setpoint.
Molecular Biology Applications
General-purpose water baths remain common in molecular biology laboratories despite the increasing use of dry baths and thermal blocks.
The WB20 can support:
For precise temperature cycling, dedicated PCR systems or thermal cyclers remain more appropriate.
Microbiology Applications
Microbiology laboratories may use the VWR WB20 for:
Its larger chamber allows multiple bottles or racks to be processed simultaneously.
Biotechnology Applications
Biotechnology laboratories frequently need reliable general-purpose temperature control.
The WB20 can support workflows involving:
Proteins
Buffers
Reagents
Culture media
Enzyme reactions
Sample thawing
Research assays
The broad temperature range makes it useful as a shared instrument for multiple research groups.
Pharmaceutical Research & Quality Control
Pharmaceutical laboratories may use the WB20 for sample preparation, formulation work, reagent warming, controlled incubation, and quality-control procedures.
For regulated applications, the laboratory should establish appropriate calibration, qualification, maintenance, and documentation procedures based on the intended use.
Clinical & Research Laboratories
Clinical research groups can use the WB20 for procedures requiring controlled warming or incubation.
Potential applications include:
The bath should not be assumed to meet a specific regulated method unless that application has been appropriately validated.
Food, Beverage & Environmental Testing
General-purpose water baths are also useful outside life-science research.
Food-science, beverage, environmental, and industrial laboratories may use the WB20 for:
Sample preparation
Extraction procedures
Temperature equilibration
Quality-control testing
Microbiological procedures
Materials testing
The large 20-liter chamber supports batch processing of multiple samples.
VWR WB20 vs. Smaller Water Baths
Smaller laboratory water baths may be appropriate for low-volume workflows or laboratories with severe bench-space constraints.
The WB20 offers a larger 20-liter capacity that is better suited for:
This additional capacity can reduce the need to run several separate incubation batches.
VWR WB20 vs. Circulating Water Bath
The WB20 is a general-purpose water bath, not an external circulating bath.
A circulating bath actively pumps fluid through the chamber or through connected external equipment.
Circulating systems may be preferable when:
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Extremely rapid equilibration is required
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Fluid must be circulated externally
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Specialized thermal-control applications are involved
For routine sample warming, incubation, thawing, and reagent preparation, a general-purpose bath such as the WB20 is often simpler and more economical.
VWR WB20 vs. Thermo Precision GP20
The VWR WB20 and Thermo Scientific Precision GP20 occupy a similar general-purpose 20-liter category.
Both provide digital control, broad laboratory applicability, and approximately 100°C maximum temperature capability.
The primary purchasing considerations between units may include:
For laboratories primarily seeking reliable 20-liter temperature-controlled capacity, either platform can be a practical choice when properly tested.
Maintaining Water Quality
Water quality can significantly affect the condition of any laboratory bath.
Tap water containing high mineral concentrations can produce scale and deposits over time.
Laboratories should periodically inspect the chamber and replace bath water as appropriate.
Routine maintenance may include:
Only cleaning agents and bath additives compatible with the manufacturer recommendations and stainless-steel reservoir should be used.
Reducing Evaporation
Water loss increases as operating temperature rises.
Using a properly fitted lid can help:
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Reduce evaporation
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Improve temperature stability
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Reduce heat loss
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Limit airborne debris entering the bath
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Reduce frequency of water replacement
Customers purchasing a used or refurbished WB20 should confirm which lid and accessories are included with the individual unit.
Proper Water Level
The water level should be maintained within the appropriate operating range.
Insufficient water can reduce temperature performance and may potentially stress the heating system.
Samples should also be positioned so that the desired portion of each vessel remains adequately immersed without creating a spill or tipping hazard.
Water Bath Safety
Although a water bath is relatively simple laboratory equipment, temperatures approaching 100°C can create burn hazards.
Operators should use appropriate precautions when:
Hot-water procedures should follow established laboratory safety practices.
Refurbishment & Testing by American Instrument Exchange
Before a used VWR WB20 returns to service, American Instrument Exchange evaluates the water bath for proper operation and overall condition.
Testing may include:
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Power-up
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Digital controller operation
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Display function
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Heating performance
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Temperature setpoint response
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Temperature stability
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Temperature distribution
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Chamber condition
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Electrical operation
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Wiring condition
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Reservoir integrity
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Leak inspection
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General cosmetic condition
The bath is cleaned and prepared for laboratory use before shipment.
Why Purchase a Refurbished VWR WB20?
A general-purpose water bath is an essential instrument in many laboratories, but purchasing a new unit may not always be the best use of available capital.
A used and refurbished VWR WB20 from American Instrument Exchange can provide laboratories with dependable digital temperature control while reducing equipment acquisition costs.
Refurbished equipment may be especially attractive for:
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Startup laboratories
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Expanding biotech companies
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Academic research groups
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Secondary laboratory spaces
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Backup equipment
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Shared facilities
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Laboratories replacing failed baths quickly
American Instrument Exchange supplies used and refurbished laboratory equipment to research, clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and industrial facilities.
Shipping & Installation
The WB20 is a compact benchtop instrument and generally requires minimal installation.
Before placing the bath into service, laboratories should confirm:
The instrument should be positioned where accidental water spills will not affect sensitive electrical or analytical equipment.
Related Laboratory Equipment
Laboratories using the VWR WB20 may also require dry baths, heat blocks, incubators, orbital shakers, shaking water baths, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, ultra-low freezers, autoclaves, and other sample-preparation equipment.
American Instrument Exchange provides used and refurbished laboratory equipment for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, clinical, environmental, food-science, and industrial laboratories.
VWR WB20 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VWR WB20?
The VWR WB20 is a 20-liter digital general-purpose laboratory water bath designed for controlled heating and incubation of laboratory samples.
What is the capacity of the VWR WB20?
The bath holds approximately 20 liters / 5.3 gallons.
What is the temperature range?
The WB20 operates from approximately ambient +5°C to 100°C.
Can the WB20 operate below room temperature?
No. It is a heating water bath and does not include refrigeration.
What is the temperature stability?
Temperature stability is approximately ±0.1°C.
What is the temperature uniformity?
Temperature uniformity is approximately ±0.2°C at 37°C.
Is the WB20 suitable for 37°C incubation?
Yes. The WB20 is well suited for biological and biochemical procedures commonly performed around 37°C.
What type of controller does the WB20 use?
The bath uses digital microprocessor temperature control.
How large is the bath chamber?
The internal bath dimensions are approximately 9.5"L x 17.5"W x 5"H.
What voltage does the WB20 require?
The referenced WB20 configuration operates on 120V, 60 Hz.
What is the current draw?
Approximately 12 A.
Can it be used for molecular biology?
Yes. Applications can include reagent warming, buffer equilibration, enzyme incubation, and controlled sample thawing.
Can the WB20 be used for microbiology?
Yes. It is suitable for media warming, sample preparation, incubation, and other routine microbiology procedures.
Can the WB20 be used in pharmaceutical laboratories?
Yes. General-purpose water baths are frequently used for pharmaceutical research and quality-control sample preparation. Regulated uses should be appropriately validated by the facility.
Is the WB20 a circulating water bath?
No. It is a general-purpose laboratory water bath.
Why choose a 20-liter bath instead of a smaller model?
The larger chamber accommodates more samples, multiple racks, larger vessels, and shared laboratory workloads.
Does the WB20 use a stainless-steel chamber?
Yes. The reservoir is constructed from stainless steel for durability and ease of cleaning.
Should I use a lid?
A lid is recommended for many applications because it reduces evaporation and heat loss. Buyers should confirm whether a lid is included with the specific refurbished unit.
How should a laboratory water bath be maintained?
Routine maintenance includes changing the water, cleaning the stainless-steel reservoir, removing mineral buildup, maintaining proper fluid level, and inspecting the instrument for signs of corrosion or damage.
Is the VWR WB20 available used and refurbished?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange offers used and refurbished laboratory equipment, including general-purpose water baths such as the VWR WB20.
How does American Instrument Exchange test a refurbished WB20?
AIE evaluates heating, controls, temperature response, chamber condition, electrical operation, reservoir integrity, and overall functionality before preparing the bath for shipment.
