controlling humidity in incubator? - (Dec/10/2009 )

how is humidity controlled in an incubator? do most use humidity pans? are these special pans or can any container work for the water?

prof. moriarty on Dec 11 2009, 04:45 AM said:

Modern ones could have ultrasonic humidification. If not, there's an old paper, how to do it on your own:

P.W. Winston & D.H. Bates (1960): Saturated solutions for the control of humidity in biological research. Ecology 41-1: 232-237.

We've always just stuck a pan of water in the bottom. Not much "control" but it does prevent plates from drying out too quickly.

prof. moriarty on Dec 11 2009, 03:45 AM said:

Most incubators these days are sophisticated and can be controlled within fine limits. Microgirl is right in a way that you can just stick a pan of water in there and you will humidify the incubator. HOWEVER the amount of humidification is essential and the relative amount of condensation within the incubator also essential. Droplets of water should be located in a specific part of the incubator. The more spots of condensation you get will also increase the chances of microbial contamination.
Relative humidification rates should be between 95-98%. This means that you get virtual no evaporation from TC plates/dishes.

Hope this is useful

Kindest regards

Rhombus