Choosing the Right Glass Laboratory Beaker
Glass laboratory beakers are widely used for mixing, preparing, holding and pouring liquids during chemistry experiments and laboratory procedures. They are essential equipment in school science classrooms, university teaching laboratories, research facilities and commercial testing environments.
When choosing a glass beaker, consider its capacity, glass composition, intended application and suitability for heating. Our range includes low-form laboratory beakers from Schott DURAN, BOMEX and BOECO, offering a choice of sizes and specifications for different laboratory requirements.
Low-Form Beakers (Griffin Beakers)
Low-form beakers, also known as Griffin beakers, feature straight sides, a relatively wide base and a pouring spout. Their design makes them suitable for everyday laboratory activities, including mixing solutions, preparing reagents, stirring liquids and observing chemical reactions.
Low-form beakers are commonly used in school chemistry laboratories, universities, research facilities and industrial laboratories because of their versatility and ease of handling.
Borosilicate Glass Beakers
Borosilicate glass is widely used in laboratory beakers because of its low thermal expansion, good resistance to thermal shock and resistance to many chemicals.
Borosilicate glass 3.3 is a common laboratory glass composition, often selected for applications involving temperature changes and chemical handling. However, glass composition and performance specifications can vary between manufacturers and individual products.
Always check the manufacturer's specifications before heating laboratory glassware. Even heat-resistant beakers can be damaged by sudden temperature changes, inappropriate heating methods or existing cracks and chips.
Glass Beaker Sizes and Capacities
Glass beakers are available in a range of capacities to suit different experiments, sample quantities and laboratory procedures. Selecting the appropriate size helps provide sufficient room for mixing, stirring, pouring and safe handling.
Which Glass Beaker Size Should You Choose?
The following guide outlines common laboratory applications for different beaker capacities.
Beaker Capacity Typical Laboratory Applications50–100 mL Small samples, limited-volume experiments, demonstrations and reagent preparation.150–250 mL General classroom chemistry, mixing solutions and everyday laboratory experiments.400–600 mL Preparing and mixing moderate quantities of liquids, solution preparation and laboratory procedures.1000 mL and above Larger-volume solution preparation, mixing and general laboratory applications.
These are general examples rather than fixed capacity recommendations. Always choose a beaker with sufficient additional space for the intended procedure, particularly when stirring, mixing or heating liquids.
Our range includes commonly used capacities such as 50 mL, 100 mL, 150 mL, 250 mL, 400 mL, 500 mL, 600 mL and 1000 mL, with additional sizes available in selected ranges.
Schott DURAN, BOMEX and BOECO Glass Beakers
Delta Educational Supplies stocks glass laboratory beakers from Schott DURAN, BOMEX and BOECO, providing customers with a selection of brands, capacities and price points.
When comparing laboratory beakers, consider the following product specifications:
- Glass composition: Check the material used and its suitability for the intended application.
- Capacity: Choose the nominal volume required for your experiments or laboratory procedures.
- Graduations: Check whether volume markings are provided and remember that beaker graduations are generally approximate.
- Dimensions: Consider the beaker's height and diameter, particularly when using hotplates, stirrers or other laboratory equipment.
- Heating suitability: Check the manufacturer's recommendations before exposing glassware to elevated temperatures.
- Price and quantity: Consider the number of beakers required, particularly when purchasing equipment for school laboratories or multiple workstations.
For schools and laboratories purchasing replacement glassware, matching existing capacities and specifications can help maintain consistency across practical activities.
Glass Beakers vs Other Laboratory Glassware
Although several types of laboratory glassware are used to hold liquids, each is designed for different purposes.
- Glass beakers: Used for general mixing, holding, pouring and suitable heating applications. Their graduations provide approximate volume measurements.
- Measuring cylinders: Designed to measure liquid volumes more precisely than standard beakers.
- Conical flasks: Useful for swirling and mixing solutions, including during titrations, with a narrower neck that helps reduce splashing.
- Volumetric flasks: Designed for preparing solutions to a specified volume with a stated calibration tolerance.
For more accurate volume measurements, explore our Measuring Cylinders. You can also browse our Laboratory Flasks or return to the complete Laboratory Glassware range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are glass laboratory beakers used for?
Glass laboratory beakers are used for holding, mixing, preparing and pouring liquids during scientific experiments and laboratory procedures. Beakers designed for heating may also be used with appropriate heating equipment, subject to the manufacturer's specifications.
What is a Griffin beaker?
A Griffin beaker is another name for a low-form laboratory beaker. It has straight sides, a relatively wide base and a pouring spout, making it practical for general laboratory use.
Are borosilicate glass beakers heat resistant?
Borosilicate glass generally offers better resistance to thermal shock than ordinary soda-lime glass. Many borosilicate laboratory beakers are suitable for heating, but their permitted use depends on the individual product and heating method. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Can glass beakers be used for accurate measurements?
Beaker graduations are generally intended for approximate volume measurements. For more accurate measurements, use suitable calibrated equipment such as measuring cylinders, pipettes, burettes or volumetric flasks.
What size glass beaker should I buy?
Choose a beaker based on the volume of liquid being handled and the type of experiment. Smaller capacities such as 50 mL and 100 mL are useful for limited sample quantities, while 250 mL and 400 mL beakers are commonly used for general laboratory work. Larger capacities suit procedures involving greater liquid volumes. Allow additional space for mixing or heating.
What is the difference between a glass beaker and a conical flask?
A glass beaker has a wide opening and pouring spout, making it convenient for mixing, pouring and accessing liquids. A conical flask has sloping sides and a narrower neck, which helps reduce splashing when swirling solutions.
