Cooling incubators

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A refrigerated incubator, also called a cooled incubator or low temperature incubator, keeps samples at a stable temperature that you can set freely from just below 0 C to about +70 C. Unlike a standard heated incubator, a refrigerated incubator can both heat and actively cool. That makes it essential whenever the ambient temperature rises too high or when your process specifically requires low temperatures. In the laboratory you use a refrigerated incubator for BOD determination (biochemical oxygen demand), sample storage, insect rearing, germination and plant growth, and for enzyme and microbiological work at low temperature. Poly Temp Scientific supplies refrigerated incubators from Thermo Scientific and Termaks, with a choice of energy-efficient Peltier cooling or powerful compressor cooling. Our specialists help you select the right size and cooling technology. Request a quotation without obligation.

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Sale!
Termaks KB-Series cooling incubator
✓ Compressor-cooled, temperature range -9.9 C to +70 C✓ Forced air circulation with variable fan speed and quick recovery
€8.340,20 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page More information
Sale!
IMP180 & IMP400 | Refrigerated Incubator
✓ Precise temperature control with Peltier technology✓ Very low energy consumption compared to compressor units
Price range: €7.825,00 through €10.625,00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page More information
Sale!
Refrigerated Incubator | +4°C to +60°C
✓ Reliable compressor cooling with R290✓ Precise temperature control for reproducible results
Price range: €4.507,00 through €10.093,00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page More information

What is a refrigerated incubator?

A refrigerated incubator is a temperature-controlled chamber that holds samples at a precise, often low temperature for extended periods. Where a standard incubator only heats above room temperature, a refrigerated incubator can also actively cool below ambient. The control range typically runs from just below 0 C to around +70 C, keeping the temperature stable even on warm days or when a process specifically calls for a low temperature.

What do you use a refrigerated incubator for?

Refrigerated incubators are widely used in research, environmental, food and microbiological laboratories. Common applications include:

BOD determination of biochemical oxygen demand in water and environmental analysis, usually at a constant 20 C.

Sample storage and preservation of reagents at a controlled, cool temperature.

Insect rearing and maintaining entomological cultures.

Germination and plant growth, seed testing and growth studies.

Enzyme and microbiological work where low temperatures govern growth or reaction rate.

Our refrigerated incubators

Thermo Scientific Heratherm IMP180 and IMP400 – refrigerated incubators with Peltier technology. Energy-efficient, quiet and highly precise, in two capacities.

Thermo Scientific Refrigerated Incubator (RI) – compressor-cooled incubator from +4 C to +60 C for stable low temperatures.

Termaks KB-Series – compressor-cooled incubator from -9.9 C to +70 C, available in 182 and 400 litres.

Peltier or compressor cooling?

Refrigerated incubators use one of two cooling technologies. Peltier cooling is thermoelectric: energy-efficient, low-vibration and very precise, but with a somewhat smaller temperature range. It is ideal when you work close to room temperature and value low consumption and precision, as in the Heratherm IMP range. Compressor cooling offers a wider range and reaches lower temperatures, below freezing point. Choose this technology for applications that must run genuinely cold, such as the Termaks KB-Series down to -9.9 C.

Buying advice

First determine your lowest required temperature: if you stay around or just below room temperature, Peltier is sufficient; if you need to cool substantially, choose compressor. Next consider the capacity in litres and the number of samples you place at once. If you also need to control humidity and light alongside temperature, see our climate chambers. If you are looking for a heated incubator without cooling, go to the microbiological incubators. Our specialists are happy to advise on the best choice. All prices are on request; simply request a quotation.

Frequently asked questions about refrigerated incubators

What is a refrigerated incubator?

A refrigerated incubator, or cooled incubator, is an incubator that can both heat and cool. This keeps samples stable at a set temperature, typically from just below 0 C to around +70 C, including below room temperature.

What do you use a refrigerated incubator for?

Typical applications are BOD determination in environmental analysis, controlled sample storage, insect rearing, germination and plant growth, and enzyme or microbiological work at low temperature.

What is the difference between Peltier and compressor cooling?

Peltier cooling is thermoelectric, energy-efficient and precise, but with a smaller range. Compressor cooling has a wider range and reaches lower temperatures, below freezing. Choose Peltier for precision near room temperature and compressor for genuinely low temperatures.

What is the difference from a regular incubator?

A regular heated incubator only heats above room temperature and cannot cool. A refrigerated incubator also cools actively. If you need a heated model, see the microbiological incubators.

What is the difference from a climate chamber?

A refrigerated incubator mainly controls temperature. A climate chamber also controls humidity and often light, and is intended for climate simulation and growth studies under controlled conditions.