Surge Scientific · Model INC018 · Gravity Convection Benchtop Incubator
Compact Incubator
Natural Convection · 18 L
RT+5°C to 65°C · ±0.5°C Accuracy · PID Pt100 Control · Stainless Interior · Insulated Window · 0–9999 min Timer
A compact incubator you can trust for clinical cultures, contrast media warming, and general biological incubation — without the fan noise, vibration, and power draw of a forced-convection unit. The INC018 holds 18 liters of chamber volume on a benchtop footprint smaller than a microwave, running a PID-controlled Pt100 sensor to ±0.5°C accuracy with deviation alarms, overheat prevention, and a power-failure safety that lets you open the door if the unit loses power mid-run.
Why Natural Convection Matters for Sensitive Samples
Forced-air (mechanical convection) incubators use a fan to push heated air around the chamber — faster ramp times, but at the cost of constant airflow over your samples. For cell culture plates, lightweight dishes, powders, and anything sensitive to desiccation or surface disturbance, that airflow is the enemy: it dries out media, blows off loose labels, lifts lightweight items, and accelerates evaporation across long incubations. It's also noisier and more power-hungry than the work justifies.
The INC018 uses natural (gravity) convection — no fan. Warm air rises, cool air sinks, and the chamber reaches temperature through physics alone. Silent operation, zero airflow disturbance on samples, 0.18 kW power draw (runs cool on any standard outlet), and temperature stratification that's appropriate for cultures, test kits, biologicals, contrast media, and eggs — not for workflows where speed matters more than sample protection.
PID Pt100 · ±0.5°C
PID digital controller driving a Pt100 temperature sensor. Control accuracy ±0.5°C, resolution 0.1°C. Clinical-grade precision for sensitive biological work.
Silent Gravity Convection
Fan-free natural convection — zero airflow disturbance on cultures, test kits, and dishes. Silent operation, minimal power draw, longer sample lifespans in long runs.
Multi-Layer Safety
Deviation alarm, overheat prevention, and a power-failure safety that releases the door lock if the unit loses power — so samples don't get trapped during an outage.
Insulated Viewing Window
Insulated glass window lets you check sample progress without opening the door and crashing the chamber temperature. Stainless steel interior wipes down in seconds.
"Silent. Stable. Stainless inside. Built to outlast its own warranty." — The INC018 does the job a clinical-grade incubator is supposed to do — hold a steady 37°C for weeks, wipe down with disinfectant, and show you the samples through the window without cycling the door.
Key Features
- Natural (gravity) convection — fan-free
- Silent operation
- 18 L chamber volume
- Temperature range RT +5°C to 65°C
- Temperature accuracy ±0.5°C
- Temperature resolution 0.1°C
- Temperature uniformity ±2.0°C
- PID digital controller
- Pt100 temperature sensor
- Digital display — actual + set + timer
- Built-in digital timer 0–9999 min
- Stainless steel interior walls
- Stainless steel shelving
- 6 shelf positions · 2 shelves included
- Adjustable / removable shelf configuration
- Cold-rolled epoxy-painted steel exterior
- Corrosion-resistant construction
- Insulated glass viewing window
- Long-life nickel alloy heater
- Deviation alarm
- Overheat prevention
- Power-failure safety — door can be opened
- Large ergonomic door handle
- Chamber: 260 × 260 × 260 mm
- External footprint: 410 × 410 × 620 mm
- Low power draw: 0.18 kW
- 2-year all-inclusive warranty
Ideal Applications
Microbial & Clinical Cultures
Bacterial culture incubation, blood-agar plates, test kit development, and routine microbiology work at stable 37°C without fan-induced media drying.
Contrast Media & Pharma
Clinical contrast-media warming (CT, MRI, angiography), pharmaceutical warming cabinets, blood bank warming, and physician-office sample holding.
Education & Industrial
Teaching lab cultures, egg incubation, food microbiology, sample drying, and general-purpose warming cabinets for industrial and educational benches.
What's in the Box
The INC018 ships ready for bench use — two stainless steel shelves included, with four additional shelf positions available for custom configuration.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model / SKU | INC018 |
| Convection Type | Natural (gravity) — fan-free |
| Chamber Volume | 18 L |
| Temperature Range | RT +5°C to 65°C |
| Temperature Control Method | PID digital controller |
| Temperature Sensor | Pt100 |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.5°C |
| Temperature Resolution | 0.1°C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±2.0°C |
| Display | Digital — actual, set point, timer |
| Timer Setting Capability | 0–9999 min |
| Heater Type | Long-life nickel alloy |
| Exterior Material | Cold-rolled epoxy-painted steel (corrosion-resistant) |
| Interior Material | Stainless steel — walls & shelving |
| Viewing Window | Insulated glass |
| Shelving | 6 positions — 2 shelves included |
| External Dimensions | 410 × 410 × 620 mm |
| Chamber Dimensions | 260 × 260 × 260 mm |
| Weight | 27 kg |
| Input Voltage / Frequency | AC 120V / 60 Hz |
| Power | 0.18 kW |
| Alarms & Safety | Deviation alarm · Overheat prevention · Power-failure door release |
| Warranty | 2-year all-inclusive |
Surge Scientific Warranty & Support
This instrument is sold through Surge Scientific, your trusted laboratory equipment partner. Our product specialists are available Monday–Friday for assistance. The INC018 Compact Incubator is backed by a 2-year all-inclusive manufacturer's warranty. Contact us at info@surgescientific.com or reach out directly to our support team at 855.943.3344 for pre-sales questions, shelf configuration, accessory ordering, and technical assistance.