Pipette Tray

Quick Answer: A pipette tray is a shallow, flat tray in which pipettes lie side by side, often on ridged or grooved supports, so they cannot roll or slide off the bench. It keeps a set together during a practical and in a drawer or cupboard afterwards.

Keeping Pipettes Flat and Contained

Round pipettes roll, and one that rolls off a bench usually ends up broken. A tray gives them a flat, contained place to lie, so a student can carry a set to a workstation in one go and a technician can store them in a drawer without them rattling against each other. Unlike a stand, a tray also catches small drips from pipettes that have just been used.

The listing image is not available and the title gives no dimensions, material or internal layout. Trays sold under this name range from plain rectangular trays to designs with raised, grooved supports that hold each pipette separately; confirm which design is supplied and that it is long enough for your longest pipette.

A tray is the storage partner of the horizontal pipette stand: the stand holds pipettes at the bench during work, and the tray keeps them together between sessions.

Specifications

Applications

• Issuing a titration set of pipettes to each student group
• Storing pipettes in drawers or cupboards so they do not knock together
• Collecting used pipettes at the bench before they go for washing
• Keeping wrapped sterile pipettes apart from used ones in a microbiology practical

Care & Handling

• Keep clean and used pipettes in separate trays, and label the trays accordingly.
• Wash the tray regularly with mild detergent; dried drips of reagent can transfer to clean pipettes.
• Do not stack heavy items on a tray of glass pipettes.
• Check pipette tips for chips as they are returned.

Why Choose LabEquip

Teachers who hand out pipette sets at the start of a class, and technicians who store them afterwards, find trays quicker and safer than loose handling. LabEquip lists the tray with its chemistry lab equipment; tell us the pipette lengths you use through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a pipette tray different from a pipette stand?

A stand holds pipettes in fixed positions at the bench, upright or raised horizontally, during work. A tray is a flat container for carrying and storing a group of pipettes, and it also catches drips.

Can used pipettes go straight into the tray?

Yes, as a collection point before washing, but use a tray reserved for used pipettes. Mixing used and clean pipettes in one tray defeats the purpose of cleaning them.

Can pipettes be soaked in the tray?

A shallow tray is not deep enough for proper soaking and may not resist strong cleaning solutions. Soak pipettes in a dedicated pipette jar or a tall container of laboratory detergent instead.

What length of tray do I need?

The tray must be longer than your longest pipette, including the section above any bulb. Graduated and volumetric pipettes differ considerably in length, so measure the longest one you use.

Will glass pipettes break in a plastic tray?

A plastic tray is kinder to glass than a metal one, but pipettes can still crack if they are dropped in or crushed. Lay them in gently, side by side, and avoid piling one layer on another.

How do I keep sterile pipettes separate?

Keep wrapped sterile pipettes in their packaging within a clean, labelled tray and open each one only when needed. Once opened or used, a pipette belongs in the used tray or a discard container.

Last Updated: September 2026