Source-based
Clinical and hospital microbiology
Culture plating, colony picking, loop and needle sterilization. Work flame-free on tasks that repeat all day.
Where and what for
Micro-incinerator applications and Bunsen burner alternative
In any laboratory where you sterilize microbiology instruments such as loops and needles, you can use the Sirius micro-incinerator instead of a Bunsen burner, a laboratory burner, gas and an open flame.
Source-based
Public health and reference laboratories
A flameless method that reduces aerosol formation in laboratories working with high-risk samples.
Source-based
Biosafety cabinets and laminar flow
Flameless sterilization instead of an open flame in the cabinet. It does not disturb the airflow or damage the filter.
Source-based
Research and biotechnology
Streaking, subculturing, colony picking and isolation work.
Source-based
Teaching and student laboratories
Students work safely without gas or an open flame.
General use
Enclosed environments where flames are unwanted
An electric solution for anaerobic work and areas where open flames are restricted.
General use
Food and beverage quality control
Routine microbiological plating and isolation.
General use
Water and environmental analysis
Sample plating and colony isolation.
General use
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic QC
Microbiology laboratory routines.
General use
Veterinary and agriculture
Plating and isolation in animal health and plant pathology laboratories.
Device feature
Pathology and cytology
Slide fixation.
Device feature
Culture tube mouths
Sterilization of the mouths of culture tubes.
Why flameless?
Biosafety and occupational safety guidelines advise against using an open flame in a Class II biosafety cabinet. Hot air rising from the flame disturbs the airflow in the cabinet and can damage the filter, and liquid samples can spatter in the flame and form aerosols. These guidelines mention enclosed, electric micro-incinerators as a flameless alternative.
This summarizes the general approach of university and institutional biosafety guidelines. Your own organization's rules also apply.
Disposable loops or a micro-incinerator?
Disposable loops are also a flameless option, but a new loop is used for every plating, so the amount of waste grows and that waste has to be decontaminated. With a micro-incinerator you reuse metal loops and needles again and again and reduce waste.
Comparison with a Bunsen burnerPoints to keep in mind when using it
- 1Place the loop or needle slowly into the device's quartz tube; placing it in too quickly can cause spattering.
- 2Let the instrument cool for a short while before moving on to plating.
- 3Reduce the liquid load on the loop; a thin film is enough.
- 4Sterilize the instrument again between plating areas.
- 5Do not rub the instrument against the tube wall or hold it in the tube longer than necessary.
- 6Check the quartz tube regularly; the quartz tube is available as a spare part from the manufacturer.
These are general laboratory practice suggestions; the device's operating instructions and your organization's procedures take precedence.
An electric alternative to the Bunsen burner
A Bunsen burner, laboratory burner and lab gas burner are the same gas-fired laboratory device. The flameless alternative for loop sterilization is the electric micro-incinerator: no open flame, no gas line and no aerosol, and safe to use inside a biosafety cabinet.
All the same device
Bunsen burner, laboratory burner and lab gas burner all describe the same device: a laboratory heater that runs on natural gas or bottled gas and produces a single open flame. It is used for heating, sterilization and burning off.
A burner consists of a metal tube that sits on a base and a gas inlet at its bottom. Holes at the side of the tube are adjusted with a collar and let in the amount of air you want. The mixture of air and gas is ignited at the top of the tube.
With the air inlet closed, a yellow (safety) flame forms, which is cooler. With the air inlet open, a blue flame forms.
Limits of a gas burner in a microbiology laboratory
Open flame and fire risk
An added risk when alcohol and flammable liquids are nearby.
Aerosols
Liquid samples can spatter in the flame and form aerosols.
Biosafety cabinet
Hot air rising from the flame can disturb the airflow in the cabinet and damage the filter.
Infrastructure
Requires a gas line, tubing and a stand.
Comparison with the Sirius micro-incinerator
| Feature | Gas Bunsen burner | Sirius |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Natural gas or bottled gas | Electricity: 230 V input, 12 V heater |
| Open flame | Yes | None |
| Aerosol | Can form in the flame | Prevented in the quartz tube |
| Biosafety cabinet | Can affect airflow and filter | Does not disturb airflow or damage the filter |
| Extra equipment | Tubing, stand, gas connection | Not required |
| Operation | Flame has to be adjusted | Switch on and use; can be used with gloves |
| Typical tasks | Loops, needles, tube mouths, heating vessels | Loops, needles, tube mouths, slide fixation |
The micro-incinerator is designed for sterilizing loops and similar instruments, not for general heating such as warming vessels. If you also need general heating, a gas burner can stay on the bench; by leaving the frequent loop sterilization to the Sirius, you reduce the risk inside the cabinet.
Common questions about the Bunsen burner
Is a laboratory burner the same as a Bunsen burner?
Yes. Bunsen burner, laboratory burner and lab gas burner are different names for the same device. It is named after the German chemist Robert Bunsen, who developed it.
Can a micro-incinerator replace a Bunsen burner?
For sterilization tasks such as loops, needles, tube mouths and slide fixation, yes. It is not designed to heat vessels such as beakers or flasks; for that, use a heater or a gas burner.
Can I use a Bunsen burner in a biosafety cabinet?
Many university and institutional guidelines advise against using an open flame inside the cabinet. The flame disturbs the airflow and can damage the filter. A micro-incinerator is a flameless alternative.
Is a micro-incinerator also called an electric or infrared loop sterilizer?
Yes. Micro-incinerator, electric loop sterilizer, infrared loop sterilizer and bacti-cinerator are names commonly used for this class of device: an electrically heated tube in which loops and needles are sterilized without a flame.
Quote or spare parts request
For institutional purchases and spare parts requests, you can speak directly to the manufacturer.
