Hofmann Electric Burner

Quick Answer: The Hofmann electric burner is an upright cylindrical laboratory heater that replaces a gas Bunsen burner. The listing photo shows it with a glowing core inside a perforated metal guard, standing on a round blue base and connected to a separate control box with a dial.

How the Hofmann Burner Is Put Together

Most electric burners in this range are box-shaped. The Hofmann burner is different: a narrow upright unit, closer in outline to a gas Bunsen burner, with the heat coming out of the top of a vertical core. In the photo the core glows orange, the unit stands on a round blue base, and a cable runs to a separate box with a dial.

Two items in that photo are listed separately. The Hofmann electric burner guard is the perforated steel cylinder with vessel supports that surrounds the core, and the regulator for the Hofmann burner is a plug-in box that sets heating power. Because the photo shows them together, confirm which parts come with the burner itself before planning a class set.

A tall, narrow heat source suits jobs where a vessel is held over a point of heat: a boiling tube in a holder, or a small flask clamped above the core. With the guard fitted, a small beaker or evaporating dish can rest on the guard’s supports instead of on a tripod.

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Stand the Hofmann burner on a level surface; its upright shape tips more easily than a flat box, so keep it clear of cables and elbows.
• Fit the guard before classes use it, and never reach over the open core.
• If a vessel boils over, switch off at the socket, let the burner cool and clean the outside before reuse; never pour water onto a hot core.
• Allow the core and guard to cool completely before lifting the burner or packing it away.

Applications

• Heating test tubes and boiling tubes held in a holder above the core
• Warming small beakers or evaporating dishes resting on the guard’s supports
• Controlled heating demonstrations when paired with the power regulator
• Chemistry benches in schools that have removed or never installed gas taps

Why Choose LabEquip

Schools and colleges that want an electric heat source shaped like a familiar Bunsen burner, with the option of adding power control, are the usual buyers of the Hofmann burner. It is listed with its accessories in LabEquip’s chemistry lab equipment; ask for burner, guard and regulator together via the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the guard included with the Hofmann electric burner?

The guard is listed as a separate item, although the burner is photographed with it fitted. When ordering, state whether you need the burner alone or the burner with guard and regulator, so the set matches your plans.

Why would I need a regulator with an electric burner?

Without a regulator, many electric burners run at a single heat level. A power regulator lets you turn the heat down for gentle warming, such as evaporating a solution without spitting, and up again for stronger heating.

Can a beaker be heated directly on the Hofmann burner?

Place vessels on the supports of the fitted guard or on a suitable stand, never on the heating core itself. Use heat-resistant glassware, and start with the heat turned down if a regulator is fitted.

How is the Hofmann burner different from a hot plate?

A hot plate heats a flat surface and suits flat-bottomed beakers and flasks. The Hofmann burner delivers heat from a narrow vertical core, like a flameless Bunsen burner, so it suits test tubes and small vessels held over a point of heat.

What happens if liquid is spilt into the burner?

Switch off at the socket straight away and let the unit cool. Do not use it again until it is dry and has been checked, because liquid in any mains-powered heater is a hazard. The guard helps keep vessels stable, which reduces the chance of spills.

Is the Hofmann burner suitable for younger students?

It can be used in supervised lower-secondary practicals with the guard fitted. Because the upright shape can be knocked over, place it in the middle of the bench, and teach students that the core stays hot after the glow fades.

Last Updated: September 2026