Ovens & furnaces

Laboratory ovens for every heating and drying process

A laboratory oven heats, dries or treats materials, samples and glassware at a precisely controlled temperature. Depending on your application, that temperature ranges from a few dozen degrees for the gentle drying of samples to 1200 °C for ash determination or heat treatment. Because no two processes are the same, Poly Temp Scientific groups four types of oven in this category: convection and drying ovens, muffle furnaces, tube furnaces and vacuum ovens. All units are made by Thermo Scientific and are supplied with advice, installation and maintenance. Below we explain what each type does and when to choose it.

The four types of oven at a glance

Each type of oven is built for its own temperature range and application. Choose based on the temperature you need and the environment you work in.

Convection and drying ovens: for heating, drying and treating samples and glassware at controlled temperatures up to 330 °C. Available with natural convection (gentle, turbulence-free air movement for delicate samples) or mechanical convection (forced airflow for fast, uniform drying). The Heratherm range runs from compact benchtop models to free-standing floor units.

Muffle furnaces: for very high temperature applications up to 1200 °C, such as ash determination, loss on ignition, incineration and heat treatment. The sample chamber is heated from the outside, so the sample never comes into direct contact with heating elements. Available in the Thermolyne and Lindberg Blue M series.

Tube furnaces: for processes inside a work tube up to 1200 °C, under a controlled atmosphere or vacuum. Suitable for sintering, annealing, CVD and materials research where you want to control the gas composition around the sample. Available as single-zone, multi-zone and split-hinge versions from the Lindberg Blue M series.

Vacuum ovens: for drying and degassing under vacuum at a low temperature. Because the boiling point drops under vacuum, you remove moisture and solvents without exposing the sample to oxidative or thermal stress. Available in the Vacutherm and Standard versions.

Which type of oven should you choose?

The right choice mainly depends on the temperature your process requires and on the environment around the sample. The decision guide below helps you on your way.

• Drying, heating or curing up to 330 °C: choose a convection or drying oven. Natural convection for delicate samples, mechanical convection for fast and uniform drying.
• Removing moisture or solvents without thermal stress: choose a vacuum oven, which dries and degasses under vacuum at a low temperature.
• Incineration, ash determination or heat treatment up to 1200 °C: choose a muffle furnace with an externally heated chamber.
• Sintering, annealing or CVD under a controlled atmosphere: choose a tube furnace, which lets you control the gas composition or vacuum around the sample.
• Working at low temperatures up to around 100 °C to grow cells or microorganisms: an oven is not the right device for this. In that case, take a look at our incubators.

Why buy ovens from Poly Temp Scientific?

• Complete range of Thermo Scientific ovens under one roof: convection, muffle, tube and vacuum ovens
• Application-focused advice on the right type, temperature range and size for your process
• Trusted series such as Heratherm, Thermolyne, Lindberg Blue M and Vacutherm
• Delivery, installation and maintenance throughout the Netherlands
• Service, calibration and maintenance on ovens from other brands too

Service and advice

Besides supplying laboratory ovens, Poly Temp Scientific handles installation, calibration and periodic maintenance. Our specialists advise you on the right type of oven, temperature range and size for your application and help you choose between the four categories. For advice or a quotation, please contact us. You can read more about the manufacturer on our Thermo Scientific brand page.

Frequently asked questions about laboratory ovens