Lab Autoclave Buying Guide: 5 Checks Before You Spend £9k+
Updated: Sep 28
A laboratory autoclave sterilises media, glassware, instruments and waste with saturated steam at 121 °C (about 15 minutes) or 134 °C (about 3 minutes). Choose one on daily load, space, air removal and containment level.
Lab type | What you autoclave | Recommended autoclave | From |
|---|---|---|---|
Research centres and universities | Media, glassware, waste, mixed loads | Benchtop 43–63 L, or front loading for shared facilities | £9,538 |
Product testing and QC labs | Media, samples, validated cycles | Benchtop or front loading with data logging | £9,538 |
Microbiology and BSL-3 labs | Contaminated waste, cultures | CAT III (CL3) with vacuum air removal | On request |
Teaching labs | Media and glassware | Benchtop 33 L without drying | £9,538 |
High-throughput or pharma | Wrapped instruments, porous loads, large batches | Front loading with vacuum and drying | £17,518 |
The short version
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Prices: laboratory autoclaves in stock
Laboratory autoclaves cost from £9,538 for a benchtop model to over £40,000 for a large, fully specified front loading autoclave. We are an authorised Astell distributor. Typical prices across the range:
Benchtop autoclave, 33 L | from £9,538 |
Top loading autoclave, 63 L | from £11,486 |
Benchtop with drying, 33 L | £11,077 |
Front loading autoclave, 120 L (swing door) | £17,518 |
Front loading autoclave, 33 L | £23,940 |
EcoFill benchtop 33 L: £9,538
Classic benchtop 43 L pack: £11,020
Benchtop 'Drying' 63 L: £14,279
Top loading Classic 63 L: £11,486
Swing door front loading 120 L: £17,518
Front loading 33 L: £23,940
Comparing formats in detail? Read front loading vs benchtop vs top loading autoclaves.
How it works: the three phases of an autoclave cycle
An autoclave cycle has three phases: air removal and heat-up, a sterilisation hold at 121 °C (about 15 minutes) or 134 °C (about 3 minutes), then exhaust and cooling.
1. Purge and heat-up: air is removed by gravity or a vacuum pump and replaced with steam. Trapped air causes cold spots.
2. Sterilisation hold: the chamber holds 121 °C for about 15 minutes, or 134 °C for about 3 minutes.
3. Exhaust and cooling: steam is released and the load cools, faster with fan or water cooling.
“ Air removal and even heat distribution are what separate a laboratory autoclave from a basic pressure steriliser. — LS Scientific |
How to choose: five things to match
Match five things: chamber size to your daily load, format to your space, the heating type, air removal (vacuum for wrapped or porous loads) and cooling.
Chamber size: Astell sizes run from under 63 L to over 300 L.
Space and format: benchtop, top loading or front loading.
Heating: heaters in the chamber, or an integral steam generator (about £5,576) for cleaner, faster steam.
Air removal: vacuum (about £5,149) for wrapped instruments and porous loads.
Containment and validation: CAT III for BSL-3 (about £3,572), plus data logging for regulated labs.
Keep it running: maintenance
Keep an autoclave running with softened or purified water, sensible load sizes, regular validation with chemical and biological indicators, and a yearly service.
Use softened or purified water to prevent scale.
Don't overload. Steam must reach every item.
Validate regularly with chemical and biological (spore) indicators, and keep cycle records.
Service yearly: door seals, safety valves and sensors.
Use the right cycle for liquids versus instruments.
Handling infectious material? Pair your autoclave with a biosafety cabinet, and see our laminar flow cabinet guide for sterile media prep.
FAQ: laboratory autoclaves
What autoclave do research centres use?
Most research labs use a benchtop autoclave (43–63 L) for media and glassware, or a front loading autoclave where several groups share one facility.
Which autoclave suits a product testing laboratory?
A benchtop or front loading autoclave with data logging, so each validated cycle is recorded for audits.
What temperature does a lab autoclave reach?
Most cycles run at 121 °C or 134 °C. Pressure lets steam exceed its normal 100 °C boiling point.
Do I need a vacuum autoclave?
Yes if you sterilise wrapped instruments, porous loads or hollow items. Gravity cycles are fine for unwrapped goods and liquids.
Which autoclave is suitable for a BSL-3 lab?
One with CAT III (CL3/BSL-3) compliance, vacuum air removal and full cycle records.
How much does a laboratory autoclave cost?
In our range, benchtop autoclaves start at £9,538, top loading at £11,486 and front loading at £17,518.
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