Choosing the Right CO₂ Incubator

I. Introduction

A CO₂ incubator is a device designed to emulate the cells’ natural environment by controlling physical parameters such as the temperature, humidity, CO₂ and O₂ levels for the optimum growth and development of cells. It is designed for high-quality incubation performance through the precise control of heating and gas injections combined with multiple contamination control and ergonomic features appropriate for safe incubation of many types of cells and tissues. Typical fields of application include tissue engineering, in vitro fertilization, neuroscience, cancer research, and other mammalian cell research applications.

II. CO₂ Incubator Guide to Models

CO₂ Incubator Model		CelCulture®, Standard CCL	CelCulture® with Copper Interior Chamber CCL-Cu	CelCulture® with Stainless Steel Exterior CCL-SS	*CelCulture® for In Vitro* Fertilization CCL-IVF**	CelCulture® with Integrated Cooling System CCL-P	CelCulture® with High-Temperature CO₂ Sensor CCL-HITEMP	CelCulture® with High Heat Sterilization CCL-HHS	CelMate® CLM
Sizes Available		50 L, 170 L, 240 L	50 L, 170 L, 240 L	50 L, 170 L, 240 L	50 L, 170 L, 240 L	170 L, 240 L	50 L, 170 L, 240 L	170 L, 240 L	50 L, 170 L, 240 L
Certification	UL Listed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
	FDA Listed, Class II, 510k exempt medical device	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
	CE Conformity	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Temperature Range, °C		7°C above ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C	8°C below ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C	7°C above ambient to 60°C
Construction	Main Body	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Stainless Steel	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating	Electrogalvanized steel with Isocide™ antimicrobial coating
	Chamber Material	Stainless Steel, 304	Copper	Stainless Steel, 304	Stainless Steel, 304	Stainless Steel, 304	Stainless Steel, 304	Stainless Steel, 304	Stainless Steel, 304
	Door type (Flat/Curved)	Flat/Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door	Curved Door
	Sealed Inner Door Kit With Segmented Glass Doors	Optional	Optional	Optional	Standard	Optional	Optional	No	Optional
CO₂ Control		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Suppressed O₂Control		Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional	No
Contamination Control Method	Decontamination Method	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (15 hours)	180°C High Heat Sterilization Cycle (12 hours)	90°C Moist Heat Decontamination Cycle (20 hours)
	UV Lamp*	Optional	Optional	Optional	No	Optional	No	No	Optional
	ULPA Filter*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Gas Inline Filter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

*Not available for 50 L models

III. Must-have Features of a CO₂ Incubator

Direct heat and air jacket
Precise parameter control
Forced convection design
Heat-resistant sensors
ULPA filtration system
Moist heat decontamination/ high heat sterilization cycle
Gas inlet filter
Comprehensive user-configurable alarms
Intelligent data and event logger records
Seamless design for easier cleaning
Removable ductwork, plenums, and shelves without tools
Wide range of accessories

Esco CO₂ Incubator Tri-fold Brochure

IV. Factors to Consider when Buying a CO₂ Incubator

A CO₂ incubator is considered as one of the most vital equipment in a laboratory. It provides an ideal condition for the growth and development of cells by maintaining the physical parameters of the equipment such as the temperature, humidity, CO₂, and O₂ levels.

FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A CO₂ INCUBATOR

Type of a CO₂ incubator
Wide Temperature range Type of sensors
Type of convection system
Chamber material and design
Wide Temperature range
User-friendly control system
Filtration system

Decontamination/Sterilization Cycle
Parameter control
Recovery time of parameters
Ergonomic design
Testing and certifications
Easy installation and set-up
Warranty period
After-sales service support

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing CO₂ Incubator

TYPICAL QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK

What are the physical parameters needed for my application
Are sensors removable during decontamination procedure?
What size of CO₂ Incubator can be accommodated in my laboratory?
What contamination control methods are available?
What application needs suppression of oxygen?
What are the common CO₂ incubator parts that need to be replaced annually?
What are the accessories needed for my application?
Do you have reliable after-sales service support?
How long is the warranty period and what is its coverage?
How often should it undergo preventive maintenance and how much will it cost?

WHY YOU NEED A NEW ONE

Setting up a new or expanded laboratory facility.
The existing unit has an outdated specification.
Increased maintenance cost.
Additional unit due to an increased laboratory workload.
The unit is defective, and the service provider is inaccessible.

V. Safety Tips When Using CO₂ Incubators

How to Safeguard your Cell Culture from Contamination

Contamination of your cell culture can be the result of any of these conditions:

Contaminated glass or plastic ware
Contaminated media
Contaminated cell line
Improper technique
Incubators and its components
Airborne contaminants
Lab environment & instruments
Operators

Here are some safety tips to protect your cell cultures when using a CO₂ incubator:

CO₂ Incubator needs to be cleaned with a disinfectant or detergent first and then rinsed with sterile water followed by 70% alcohol.
Avoid using chlorine-based detergents/disinfectants.
Change water (sterile water is recommended) in the water pan periodically.
Allow autoclaved water to cool before adding to the water pan.
Change the ULPA filter at least once a year or when the filter is dirty by visual inspection.
Do not keep the CO₂Incubator door open for too long.
Avoid talking, laughing, coughing, when opening CO₂ Incubator door.
Always wear gloves.
Keep the air clean: no eating, drinking, and smoking.
Always wear a clean lab coat.
Avoid leaving medium and culture containers on containment surfaces.

How to Safeguard your Cell Culture Poster