Test Tube Holder, Metal Strip

Quick Answer: The Test Tube Holder, Metal Strip is a metal strip test tube holder whose jaws are formed from flat metal strip rather than round wire. The listing photograph shows the strip loop fixed into a turned wooden handle with a metal ferrule; it grips a test tube near its mouth for heating or pouring.

Strip Jaws on a Handle

A flat strip touches a round tube along a band, not a thin line, so the grip is steadier and less likely to let the tube twist than a round wire of the same springiness. In the photograph, the strip is bent into a long, narrow loop that closes around the tube, and the spring of the metal keeps it gripped.

The turned wooden handle keeps the hand away from the flame and does not conduct heat back as a metal handle would. That makes the holder comfortable during longer heating, for example when a solution is boiled gently or a solid is heated until it changes colour.

It sits between the two other holders in this range. The wire test tube holder is lighter and simpler but gives a narrower grip; the wooden test tube holder is gentle on glass but can char if held close to the flame. The tube diameters the strip jaws suit are not stated, so match the holder to the tubes you use.

Care & Handling

• Grip the tube about a third of the way down from the mouth, keeping the holder out of the flame.
• Keep the wooden handle dry; wet wood swells and may loosen the ferrule.
• If the strip loses its spring and tubes slip, replace the metal strip test tube holder.

Applications

• Heating small amounts of solid or liquid in a test tube over a Bunsen burner or spirit lamp
• Lifting tubes in and out of a water bath during food tests such as Benedict’s test
• Holding a hot tube while pouring its contents into another vessel
• Moving tubes between a water bath and a rack

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Middle and secondary schools buy test tube holders in class sets, often mixing types for different tasks. LabEquip lists the strip, wire and wooden holders together in General Lab Products.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a metal strip holder differ from a wire holder?

The strip is flat, so it grips the tube along a wider band. That holds the tube steadier and reduces twisting, while a round wire grips along a thin line.

Why does it have a wooden handle?

Wood conducts heat poorly, so the handle stays cool while the tube is heated, and it keeps the hand further from the flame.

Where should the holder grip the tube?

Near the mouth, roughly a third of the way down. That keeps the holder out of the flame and leaves the lower part of the tube free to be heated.

How should a liquid be heated in a test tube?

Fill it no more than about a third, hold it at an angle, and heat the upper part of the liquid first while shaking gently, pointing the mouth away from everyone. This reduces the risk of sudden bumping.

Can it hold boiling tubes?

Only if the jaws open wide enough for the larger diameter. Try one boiling tube in the holder before issuing it for a practical.

How do I clean it?

Wipe the strip with a damp cloth and dry it. Do not soak the holder, because water gets into the wooden handle and the joint with the ferrule.

Last Updated: September 2026