Understanding the Different Types of Incubators for Your Research Lab: Air-Jacketed vs. Water-Jacketed

Understanding the Different Types of Incubators for Your Research Lab: Air-Jacketed vs. Water-Jacketed

Understanding the Different Types of Incubators for Your Research Lab


When it comes to choosing an incubator for your research lab, understanding the differences between air-jacketed and water-jacketed
incubators is probably not all that important.  


However, it might be. 


Let’s compare:


Air-Jacketed Incubators

Function: Air-jacketed incubators use heated air to maintain the desired temperature inside the chamber.

Features:

    • Rapid Temperature Recovery: Due to the nature of air as a heating medium, air-jacketed incubators often have faster temperature recovery times after the door is opened.
    • Lower Maintenance: Air-jacketed systems typically require less maintenance compared to water-jacketed systems.
  • Sterilization Function: Some modern air-jacketed systems include a sterilization function where the jacket is heated to extreme temperatures, sterilizing your incubator.  ***Remember to remove your HEPA Filter when you do this.

  • Applications:

    • Ideal for applications requiring frequent access to the incubator.
    • Labs with limited space, requiring a slightly more compact incubator

    Pros:

    • Quick Initial Temperature achievement
    • Faster temperature recovery.
    • Generally lower maintenance requirements.
    • Lightweight and easier to move (Still pretty heavy though).

    Cons:

    • Can be less efficient in maintaining extremely stable temperatures compared to water-jacketed incubators.
    • May consume more energy to maintain the desired temperature.

    Water-Jacketed Incubators

    Function: Water-jacketed incubators use heated water that surrounds the chamber to maintain a stable internal temperature.

    Features:

    • Stable Temperature Maintenance: The water jacket provides a better thermal buffer, leading to very stable temperature conditions inside the incubator.
    • Extended Temperature Retention: In the event of a power outage, water-jacketed incubators retain their temperature for longer periods
    • Uniform Temperature Distribution: Ensures that temperature fluctuations are minimized, providing a consistently controlled environment.

    Applications:

    • Ideal for applications requiring extremely stable and consistent temperature conditions, such as long-term cell culture experiments.
    • Suitable for environments where power stability is a concern, as they can maintain temperature better during outages.

    Pros:

    • Superior temperature stability.
    • Better temperature retention during power outages.
    • Uniform heat distribution.

    Cons:

    • Slower temperature recovery compared to air-jacketed incubators.
    • Higher maintenance due to the water system.
    • Much Heavier and may require more space.
    • ***Remember, when you purchase a water jacketed incubator it will ship EMPTY.  You MUST remember to put water into the incubator before you run it.  If not you may damage the heating element and get poor temperature stability.


    Choosing the Right Incubator for Your Lab

    Here are some key things that might sway you to one type of incubator or the other:

    • Type of Research: For applications requiring frequent access, an air-jacketed incubator’s rapid recovery might be beneficial. For highly sensitive experiments, the stability of a water-jacketed incubator is preferable.
    • Environmental Stability: If your lab experiences power fluctuations, a water-jacketed incubator will provide better protection for your samples.
    • Maintenance Capabilities: Assess your lab’s capacity for regular maintenance. Water-jacketed incubators require more maintenance due to the water system.
    • Space and Mobility: Air-jacketed incubators are generally lighter and more compact, making them easier to fit into limited spaces and move if necessary.

    I always like having a table to compare things, so if you are someone who likes a table to compare/contrast things, here you go:


    Feature

    Air-Jacketed Incubators

    Water-Jacketed Incubators

    Heating Method

    Uses heated air to maintain temperature

    Uses heated water surrounding the chamber

    Temperature Recovery

    Faster recovery after door openings

    Slower recovery compared to air-jacketed

    Temperature Stability

    Good, but less stable compared to water-jacketed

    Superior stability, maintains consistent temperature

    Temperature Retention

    Less efficient in power outages

    Retains temperature longer during power outages

    Uniform Temperature Distribution

    Uniform, but can be affected by air movement

    Very uniform due to water’s thermal conductivity

    Maintenance Requirements

    Lower maintenance

    Higher maintenance due to the water system

    Energy Consumption

    Generally higher energy consumption

    More energy-efficient for maintaining stable temperatures

    Weight and Mobility

    Lighter and easier to move

    Heavier and less mobile

    Space Requirements

    More compact and space-efficient

    Requires more space due to water jacket

    Ideal Applications

    Frequent access, general cell culture

    Long-term cell culture, sensitive experiments

    Environmental Stability

    Less retention during power instability

    Better performance during power instability

    Cost

    Generally lower initial cost

    Potentially Higher initial cost due to complexity



    Conclusion

    Both air and water jacketed will likely meet your needs and in many circumstances you won’t go wrong with either setup.  However, there are reasons that there are two different kinds and if you were worried about getting the right one, hopefully this helped.


    If you are in need of an incubator, we have lots!  Here is a direct link to all the incubators that could be your next lab addition.