Hybaid have given a new look to their long running Shake ‘n’ Stack hybridization oven range. Hybaid’s new Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven is available in two models, the 6242 model which includes the oven and rotisserie and the 6241 model which is the same as the aforementioned with the addition of a shaking platform.
The Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven has a temperature range of ambient 8ºC to 85ºC and boasts reported uniformity of ±0.25ºC within the bottles. The temperature within the oven is clearly displayed on a LED display on the lower right hand corner and temperature control is by means of buttons located to the side of the temperature display. The Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven comes to temperature very quickly. It is, however, prone to overshooting the required temperature by a couple of degrees. I have not evaluated the ovens over their entire temperature range, however, I routinely use them between 35ºC and 60ºC and I have found them to be extremely reliable.
The Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven is compact (380 mm deep x 435 mm wide x 425 mm high) and has a relatively large chamber capacity (240 mm deep x 350 mm wide x 245 mm high). The ovens are available in 110V and 220V and weigh 21.1 kg and 17.6 kg respectively and both models in the range have adjustable feet. The ovens have a large viewing window in the front and drip trays to contain any spills making these ovens very easy to clean. One of the best features of this range is that it is designed to be stacked up to 3 units high providing an excellent means of both saving space and providing versatility.
The Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven is a very versatile piece of laboratory equipment. The oven comes with a removable rotisserie capable of holding 10 hybridization bottles (35 mm diameter) or 30 plastic tubes (50 ml) and is able to rotate at 5 to 20 rpm. Hybridization bottles are not supplied with the Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven, however, a wide selection are available from Thermo Electron. The Hybaid Shake ‘n’ Stack Hybridization Oven 6241 model additionally comes with a shaking platform with a 1 kg capacity. The platform is 25 cm x 18 cm and is capable of shaking at 1-15 rpm in linear motion. As with temperature control on these systems, the rotisserie and shaking platforms are easily and quickly adjusted by means of controls under the door.
Hybaid have produced in the Shake ‘n’ Stack range of hybridization ovens, a very versatile and easy to use package. I commonly use this apparatus for a wide range of applications ranging from fluorescence in situ hybridisation through to drying faecal samples to determine dry matter content. I have rarely had the need to use the rotisserie on these ovens, but regularly stack specimens on the floor, which is sufficient to accommodate 40-odd 50 ml containers or 30-odd microscope slides. The ovens are accurate, operate over a large temperature range (8ºC to 85ºC) and boast excellent uniformity (±0.25ºC). The applications for which I use these ovens commonly require it to remain at 60ºC for prolonged periods, sometimes over a week. I have never had any problems with the temperature in these ovens. The ovens are compact, stackable and easy to clean. I would highly recommend this product to anyone in the market for a new hybridization oven.