Laboratory Shakers and Laboratory Mixers

What is a Lab Mixer?

Laboratory mixers and shakers are instruments that help to form a homogenous mixture from more than one ingredient. Used in many types of industry, such as food and beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and electronics, as well as labs that deal with life sciences, wastewater treatment, and biotech, laboratory mixers and shakers are an important part of many labs.

Laboratory shakers do just that—-shake the mixtures that are placed on them. Plates vibrate back and forth or circularly to mix the components. Some laboratory shakers have plates that tilt up and down as well as side to side for an added mixing element. Laboratory mixers, on the other hand, have a tool, such as a paddle or blade, that goes into the sample to be mixed and mechanically stirs it.

Considerations for purchasing laboratory mixers and shakers

There are many things that vary in different laboratory mixers and shakers. The first step in choosing the right machine is to decide if you want a mixer or a shaker. If it's a shaker you need, look at the vibration speed, how adjustable the speed is, and if the plate tilts as well as vibrates. If the mixer is the tool you are looking at, there are many features to compare. The container capacity, speed of mixing, variability of speed, liquid viscosity it can handle, and horsepower will vary. Another thing to consider is if you will be using a mixer that comes with a container or if you need a mount to put it on your existing containers.