Dissecting Tray

Quick Answer: A dissecting tray is a shallow tray with raised sides on which specimens are placed and dissected, so fluids, preservative and fragments stay contained. Trays with a soft base layer also hold pins, and deeper ones allow dissection under water.

Choosing a Tray Material

Trays for dissection are made in aluminium, stainless steel, enamelled steel and plastic, and the choice affects cleaning and working life. Metal trays are rigid and stand up to years of scrubbing; stainless steel has the highest corrosion resistance, and enamel is easy to wipe but chips if dropped. Plastic trays are light and do not corrode, but they scratch and stain. The material and size of this tray are not stated in the listing, so specify what you need when ordering.

Preserved specimens bring preservative with them, and the tray is where it collects. Rinse fixed specimens in running water before the practical to reduce fumes, work in a well-ventilated room, and pour the drained liquid into the waste container your lab uses for that preservative rather than down the sink.

This listing is separate from the plural Dissecting Trays listing in the same range, and the listings do not explain how the two differ, so compare the details given for each if you are choosing between them. For dry, flat work such as flower dissection, a dissecting board is an alternative.

Care & Handling

• Empty the dissecting tray into the correct waste container, then wash it in warm water with detergent.
• Disinfect after animal material with a product suited to the tray material.
• Dry metal trays fully before stacking, and keep plastic trays away from hot plates and solvents.

Specifications

Applications

• Dissection of preserved or food-supply specimens where fluids must be contained
• Dissection under water in a tray with a pinning base
• Carrying specimens, instruments and waste safely between bench and sink
• Sorting leaf litter, pond or soil samples in ecology practicals

Why Choose LabEquip

Dissecting trays are bought one per student or pair, alongside instrument sets, by schools and colleges fitting out biology labs. LabEquip lists them in its Biology Lab Products range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a tray rather than dissecting on the bench?

The raised sides hold fluids, preservative and fragments, the specimen stays in one place, and the whole tray can be carried to the sink for cleaning.

Which tray material is easiest to keep clean?

Stainless steel and enamel are the easiest to scrub and disinfect. Aluminium dulls over time, and plastic can stain and scratch.

Does a dissecting tray need a wax base?

Only if specimens are to be pinned. A tray without a base still contains fluids but will not hold pins.

How do I reduce preservative fumes during a practical?

Rinse the specimen in running water beforehand, keep the room well ventilated, and cover or empty the tray promptly when work stops.

Can the tray be used for ecology sorting?

Yes. A pale tray makes small invertebrates easy to see when leaf litter, soil or pond samples are spread out and sorted.

What size of tray should I order?

Choose one that leaves room for instruments around the largest specimen you use; a pair of students sharing a tray needs more space than one student.

Last Updated: September 2026