Question 1

What is the difference between a hot plate stirrer and a heating mantle?

Accepted Answer

A hot plate stirrer has a flat heated surface plus magnetic stirring, ideal for beakers and flat-bottom vessels. A heating mantle is a fabric-lined element shaped to cradle a round-bottom flask, giving even heating across the curved surface and avoiding the hotspots a round flask gets on a flat plate. Mantles are standard in synthesis and distillation, usually pair with an overhead stirrer rather than a stir bar, and are sized to a specific flask volume.

Question 2

What maximum temperature and stirring speed do I need?

Accepted Answer

Match both to your work. Many lab hot plates reach roughly 300-550 C at the plate, but achievable liquid temperature is lower and depends on vessel, volume, and losses. Stirring typically spans 100-1500 RPM, with some units to 2000+ for vigorous mixing. For gentle warming of extracts you want fine low-end control; for digestions or high-boiling solvents you want headroom. Confirm the rated max stirring volume reflects water-like fluids, since viscous oils mix at far lower effective capacity.

Question 3

Ceramic or aluminum top plate, which should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Ceramic tops resist solvents and acids, clean easily, and tolerate high surface temperatures, but they are more brittle and sensitive to mechanical or thermal shock. Aluminum (or coated alloy) tops distribute heat very evenly and are mechanically tough, but bare aluminum can corrode under aggressive chemistry. Choose ceramic when chemical resistance and cleanup matter most, and aluminum when durability and uniform heat transfer are the priority. For corrosive cannabis solvents and frequent cleaning, ceramic is usually the safer pick.

Question 4

What does a PT100 external temperature probe do?

Accepted Answer

A PT100 is a platinum resistance temperature sensor (RTD) whose resistance tracks temperature precisely. When a hot plate stirrer supports a probe input, you immerse the PT100 directly in the sample, and the unit regulates power to the measured liquid temperature instead of the plate surface. This closed-loop control improves accuracy and reduces overshoot, which is important for heat-sensitive materials such as cannabinoid solutions that must stay in a narrow window to avoid degradation.

Question 5

When should I use a thermostatic bath instead of a hot plate?

Accepted Answer

Use a thermostatic stirrer or heated bath when you need stable, uniform temperature around a vessel rather than direct surface heating. The bath fluid (water or oil) circulates at a set point and heats immersed flasks or tubes evenly, which suits controlled incubations, stability studies, and temperature-sensitive reactions. Water baths typically run up to about 100 C and oil baths up to roughly 200-250 C. A hot plate is better for quick, direct heating of a single beaker on the bench.

Extraction

Temperature Control

Processing

Separation

Drying

Support Equipment

Heaters, Stirrers & Hot Plates

MTST AHB-1000 Dry Metal Bath Magnetic Stirrer — 500/1000/2000 mL

MTST ZNCL-T-10L Heating Mantle with Magnetic Stirrer — RT~380°C

Frequently asked questions

MTST ZNCL-T-5L Heating Mantle Stirrer — 5L, RT–380°C

Swiben 5L Low-Temperature Magnetic Stirring Bath — -40°C (Set of 3)

Swiben 5L Low-Temperature Magnetic Stirring Thermostat Bath (3-Pack)

Swiben ZNCL-BS Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer — 140mm, RT–380°C

ZZKD HLM-2005 Low-Temp Magnetic Stirring Thermostat — 5L

ZZKD ZKCL Heating Mantle with Stirrer — 2-20L, RT~300°C