Microbiology & sterility
Incubator / BOD incubator
A temperature-controlled chamber that holds culture plates and tubes at a fixed temperature so microorganisms can grow. BOD incubators can heat and cool, so they also hold temperatures below room temperature, such as 20–25 °C for fungi.
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Food & beverage
- Water testing
- Environmental
- Research laboratories
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Maintenance checklist
Daily
- Record temperature or review the monitoring system
- Check that the door seals properly
Weekly / monthly
- Clean and disinfect shelves and interior
- Check the door gasket
- Remove expired or completed plates
- Clean the condenser and check the drain tray (BOD models)
Six-monthly / annual
- Calibration of the display sensor against a reference thermometer
- Temperature mapping (often annually and after major repair or relocation)
- Alarm and over-temperature cut-out checks
- Preventive maintenance of fan, heater and refrigeration unit
SAFETY
Safety precautions
Before you work on the Incubator
- Cultures and incubated plates may contain pathogens: handle them as biohazardous and wear gloves and a lab coat.
- Clean up spills immediately with an approved disinfectant.
- Discard plates by autoclaving before disposal.
- Do not place flammable solvents in the incubator; heaters and switches can ignite vapours.
- Keep the refrigeration vents clear and do not overload the electrical supply.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management
Keep every Incubator in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.