Laboratory Glass Desiccator

Quick Answer

A laboratory glass desiccator is a sealed glass container with a flanged, ground-glass lid that holds a bed of desiccant to keep hygroscopic reagents, weighed samples, and freshly ignited crucibles free of atmospheric moisture during cooling or short-term storage.

Description

Built from clear glass with a wide, flat base and a matching lid, the laboratory glass desiccator relies on a ground-glass flange to create an airtight seal between the two halves. A bed of desiccant such as silica gel or anhydrous calcium chloride is placed in the base, and a perforated support plate sits above it to keep sample containers, weighing bottles, or crucibles clear of the desiccant itself while still exposed to the dry atmosphere inside.

This is standard equipment anywhere gravimetric or analytical work is carried out, because many reagents and freshly dried or ignited materials will pick up moisture from ordinary room air within minutes of being removed from an oven or muffle furnace. Cooling inside a sealed desiccator lets a crucible or sample reach room temperature without gaining the weight that damp air would otherwise add, which is essential before it goes back on an analytical balance.

Specifications

Applications

• Cooling crucibles and weighing bottles after oven or furnace drying, before reweighing
• Storing hygroscopic reagents and standards between uses
• Protecting calibration weights and reference materials from humidity
• Short-term storage of samples awaiting analysis in a controlled, dry atmosphere

Care & Handling

• Keep the ground-glass flange clean and free of grit so the lid seats and seals properly
• Lift the lid by its knob rather than gripping the glass rim directly
• Replace or regenerate the desiccant regularly, as a saturated bed no longer keeps the interior dry
• Allow hot crucibles to cool briefly before placing them on the support plate, and avoid sudden temperature shocks to the glass
• Store on a stable, level bench away from the edge to avoid accidental knocks

Why Choose LabEquip

LabEquip supplies desiccators alongside the rest of our lab glassware range, so you can order sample-prep and gravimetric equipment together. Browse our wider chemistry lab equipment selection for reagent bottles, flasks, and related apparatus, and contact us for bulk or institutional quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a laboratory glass desiccator used for?

A laboratory glass desiccator is used to cool and store moisture-sensitive materials — such as freshly ignited crucibles, dried samples, and hygroscopic reagents — in a low-humidity atmosphere so they do not gain weight or degrade from exposure to normal room air.

Why does a desiccator need a ground-glass lid?

The ground-glass flange between the base and lid creates a tight seal when the two mating surfaces are clean, which is what keeps humid room air from reaching the desiccant and the sample compartment inside.

What desiccant should I use inside the desiccator?

Common choices include silica gel and anhydrous calcium chloride; either is placed in the base beneath the support plate and should be replaced or regenerated once it becomes saturated and stops absorbing moisture effectively.

Can I cool a hot crucible directly inside the desiccator?

Yes, this is one of its main uses in gravimetric analysis, though it is good practice to let a very hot crucible lose some heat briefly before placing it on the support plate to avoid thermal shock to the glass.

How do I keep the desiccator seal working properly?

Keep the ground-glass flange clean and free of dust or grit, lift the lid by its knob rather than the glass itself, and check periodically that the two ground surfaces still seat together smoothly.

Can LabEquip supply desiccators in bulk for a school or laboratory?

Yes, LabEquip supplies laboratory glass desiccators in bulk for institutional and laboratory buyers; contact us with your required quantity and we will assist with the order.

Last Updated: September 2026