2. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The material included in this presentation is
copyright of Labconco Corporation.
Reproduction or use of the slides is not
permitted without express permission from
Labconco Corporation.
3. Learning Objectives
How to choose the correct washer
Specifications that are important to glassware
washer users
Cost of machine washing vs. hand washing
4. Types of Glassware Washers
Three types of Laboratory Glassware Washers
Bench top: Sits on the bench, limited features, low capacity – single
level rack
Point of Use: Free standing or under counter, medium capacity – upper
and lower racks, features such as pure water rinse, spindle racks or
open racks.
Central: Large, free standing model, high capacity – up to 5 racks,
features such as pure water rinse, hot water temperatures up to 205F,
spindle or open racks.
Economy (low features, bench top) $4,000 and under
Mid-range (point of use with features specific for laboratory use) $4,000 to
$11,000
Advanced (higher-end features such as automatic detergent dispense,
HEPA air drying) $11,000 and up
Large capacity (Central location washers) Up to $50,000
5. Market Applications
Glassware washers are a logical solution for any lab
using at least 25 pieces of reusable glassware and plastic
ware daily.
Analytical labs can program “wash protocols” and have
consistent, repeatable results.
7. Three Steps of Manual Cleaning
Soaking in Immersion Bath
Best if washed immediately
after use
Water and detergent added
Potential overnight soaking
to remove stubborn residue
8. Three Steps of Manual Cleaning
Rinsing
Rinse in separate container with drinking grade water or pure
water to prevent cross contamination
9. Three Steps of Manual Cleaning
Drying
Can be done in autoclave or drip board
10. Automatic Cleaning – Residential Washer
Heated wash water only up to 140ºF in
most models, 160ºF at the most
Pure water rinses are not available
Engineered to remove food and
beverages, not agar, media and solvents
Racks are designed to hold dishes and
cups, not pipettes, Erlenmeyers, etc.
Detergents generally contain
phosphates, which alter laboratory
results
Warranty is voided if installed in
commercial applications
11. Laboratory Glassware Washers
Cycle Components
Wash cycles
Pre-wash rinses glassware
Wash cycle adds detergent
• Detergents work better with hotter
water. Hot water wash
temperatures react with laboratory
detergents to clean glassware.
Steam removes tough, dried-on soil
12. Laboratory Glassware Washers
Cycle Components
Pure water rinse
For analytically clean glassware
Heated pure water cleans better than non-
heated
Dry Cycle
Better drying = less handling of glassware
No transferring wet glassware to a drying
oven or drip board
13. Selecting the proper laboratory washer
Questions to ask:
What type of glassware are you using?
• Narrow neck or wide mouth
What is the soil level in the glassware?
• Heavy, viscous or thick: i.e., media, agar, waxes, etc.
• Light, general laboratory soil, liquid chemicals, aqueous, etc.
Are you using any acids?
Does your glassware need to be dry out of the washer?
14. Effects of Residue on Laboratory Glassware
Ghost peaks can appear in a chromatogram
Surfactant residue can impair or prevent the
growth of bacteria and cell cultures
Potential cross contamination
Residue traces can catalyze or make chemical
syntheses impossible
Glassware can become etched or corroded from
residue alkaline
15. Automated cleaning using a laboratory
glassware washer
Wash water should be heated up to 199°F, tap water
generally is set to 110°F in most laboratories
Results should be reproducible each time
No need for overnight soaking
Controlled use of detergents
Less handling of glassware = less breakage
Does glassware washer offer forced air drying?
How long is drying cycle?
Save water usage
13.6 gallons glassware washer vs. 20 gallons hand washing
16. What features should I look for?
Glassware racks specific for laboratory
glassware
Injector spindles for narrow neck
glassware
Open racks for wide mouth glassware
Optional inserts for pipettes, culture
tubes, Petri dishes
Hot water heater to heat water up to
199ºF for sanitization
17. What features should I look for?
Forced air dry cycle through spindles
to ensure dry glassware after wash
cycle
Internal component materials to
withstand laboratory chemicals
18. Selecting the proper laboratory washer
Other considerations - costs
Hand washing vs. Machine washing
Hand washing uses more water and detergent than
machine washing
Different variables in hand washing can lead to
different levels of cleanliness day to day
Shell washers vs. fully equipped washers
Less expensive on paper, but racks are needed for the
washer to operate. Costly in the end.
What type of detergent is needed
A glassware washer uses less detergent than hand washing
19. What if I am worried about particulate
contamination?
Possible contamination may come during the forced air drying since
air is pulled from the room, heated and forced into the washer. If the
washer uses a HEPA filter before the forced air drying, the
particulates are removed.
HEPA Filter
20. What washer works best for beakers?
A laboratory glassware washer
equipped with standard upper and
lower baskets
Inserts allow customization of the
glassware for Petri dishes, culture
tubes, utensils, etc.
21. What features should I look for?
High water circulation rates - greater than 96
gallons/minute
Hot water heater to heat water up to 199ºF
for sanitization
Pure water rinse option
Pure water pump, pressurized pure water not
required
Ability to heat pure water rinse
22. What features should I look for?
Wash arms on each level including
middle wash arm if upper rack is used
Forced air dry cycle to ensure dry
glassware after wash cycle
Internal component materials to
withstand laboratory chemicals
23. A washer for flasks or washer for beakers?
Which to choose?
Interchangeable racks give flexibility
to run a combination of glassware
Removable spindles
Spindle racks can do narrow neck
flasks as well as pipettes
Open racks will run wide mouth
glassware, test tubes, Petri dishes
24. Selecting the proper laboratory washer
Tertiary Considerations - The Options
Accessory options…
Spindle rack or open rack for washers that allow
interchangeable racks
Inserts to customize washer
25. Selecting the proper laboratory washer
Tertiary Considerations - The Options
Accessory options:
Liquid detergent dispenser
• Washer hooks up to liquid detergent;
which is dispensed during the wash
cycle. Exact amount of detergent is
used every time.
26. Selecting the proper laboratory washer
Tertiary Considerations - The Options
Accessory options:
Drain water cooling kit
• Cools water to < 60ºC in municipalities
where hot drain water is not allowed
Glassware cart to load and unload
directly from the washer
27. Water Softener—is it necessary?
Use of a water softener may be recommended if the water is
140ppm or greater.
Most water is less than 140ppm. Water softener is not required.
1mg/L = 1 ppm
28. Can pure DI water be used with a
glassware washer?
Pure DI (deionized) water works with
glassware washers. By the time the DI
water gets to the washer, it is no longer as
pure as it started in the tank.
DI water does not leach the steel out of the
washer.
DI water can also be hooked up to the Tap
Valve as long as it is pressurized and heated
29. It’s not easy being green…
Some washers have an 8-hour delay to wash during non-peak hours
to save on electricity.
Water usage
Too little water creates a dirty wash environment
Too much water is a waste of detergent, water and energy
How much of the washer parts can be recycled?
Are service parts easily available?
Allow reuse of expensive glassware vs. disposable.
Is the washer manufactured in the ?
Are parts, customer service and sales reps readily available to you?
30. Regulatory Agencies
Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) mark is accepted
by AHJs and retailers across North America as a
product's mark of compliance to applicable electrical,
gas and other safety standards. and accredited as a
Testing Organization and Certification Body by the
Standards Council of the U.S.A. and Canada.
UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products,
components, materials and systems. UL's worldwide
family of companies and network of service providers
includes laboratory, testing and certification facilities.
31. Labconco Corporation
8811 Prospect Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64132
1-800-821-5525
816-333-8811
www.labconco.com
