Incubator Thermometers

Quick Answer: Incubator thermometers are thermometers used to check the temperature inside an incubator independently of its own controller, whether it is a laboratory incubator for microbial cultures or an egg incubator for hatching. The title does not state the thermometer type or scale range, and these are confirmed on request.

Checking an Incubator Independently

An incubator’s display shows what its own sensor reads, at the point where that sensor is fitted. The temperature on the shelves can differ, especially near the door, in corners or at the top of a still-air cabinet, and a controller can drift without warning. A separate incubator thermometer placed where the cultures or eggs actually sit shows whether they are getting the temperature intended.

In microbiology, many human-associated bacteria are grown at 37 °C, close to body temperature, while environmental and food organisms are often incubated at lower settings, so each incubator is checked against its own setting. In egg incubation, the temperature at egg level matters most: in still-air incubators warm air rises, so the thermometer bulb is placed level with the top of the eggs, not on the floor or near the roof. Poultry incubators also commonly use a wet-bulb reading to judge humidity, which can be done with a wet and dry bulb hygrometer.

Give the thermometer time to settle after the door has been opened, and read it through the window where possible so the cabinet is not disturbed. The type (glass, dial or digital), scale range and mounting of these thermometers are confirmed on request.

Applications

• Verifying microbiology incubators before and during culture work
• Checking the temperature at egg level in poultry and school hatching projects
• Mapping warm and cool spots on different incubator shelves
• Daily temperature logs for incubators in teaching and quality-control labs

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Place the incubator thermometer where it will not be knocked when trays or plates are moved.
• Avoid opening the door just to read it; each opening changes the temperature for some minutes.
• Clean it with a mild disinfectant wipe and dry it, especially after egg incubation.
• Compare it periodically with a reference thermometer and replace it if the difference grows.

Why Choose LabEquip

Microbiology teaching labs, food and water testing labs, poultry farms and school hatching projects buy separate thermometers for their incubators because controller displays cannot be taken on trust. LabEquip lists them in its General Lab Products range; ask LabEquip about the type and range that match your incubators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a separate thermometer if the incubator has a display?

The display shows the controller’s own sensor, which may not match the shelves where cultures or eggs sit. A separate thermometer confirms the actual temperature and reveals controller drift.

Where should the thermometer be placed in an egg incubator?

At the height of the top of the eggs. In still-air incubators warm air rises, so a thermometer on the floor or near the roof gives a misleading reading.

What temperature is used for bacterial cultures?

It depends on the organism. Many human-associated bacteria are grown at 37 °C, while environmental and food organisms are often incubated lower. Follow the method for the test being run.

How long after opening the door should I wait to read it?

Several minutes, until the reading has steadied. Reading through the window without opening the door gives the most reliable value.

How is humidity checked in an egg incubator?

Poultry keepers commonly use a wet-bulb reading: a thermometer bulb wrapped in a wet wick. The difference between wet and dry readings indicates humidity.

Can the same thermometer be used in a refrigerator?

Only if its scale extends low enough. Thermometers made for incubators often have a range centred on warm temperatures, so check the scale before using one elsewhere.

Last Updated: September 2026