Food Science Lab Equipment

Food Science

Laboratory Equipment

Definitions and Uses

Glassware
Glassware can be divided into 2 groups

Non-Volumetric Glassware
●

Beaker

●

Erlenmeyer Flask

Volumetric Glassware
●

Graduated Cylinder

○ A glass with a wide mouth and usually a lip for pouring.

Sizes range from 50 mL to 1,000mL.

○ Used for mixing, holding, and heating liquids. It can also be

used to transfer liquids from one container to another.

○ They are marked on the side (graduated) to indicate the

approximate volume of their contents.

○ This is NOT used for ACCURATE measurement

Beaker… Not Beaker

Erlenmeyer

Flask

○ A flat-bottomed laboratory flask

that tapers upward to a
straight neck

○ Useful in the lab setting for

stirring the contents by hand
by swirling the flask

○ They are marked on the side

(graduated) to indicate the
approximate volume of their
contents.

○ This is NOT used for

ACCURATE measurement

Graduated
Cylinder

○ A tall narrow container

with a volume scale

○ Used to measure liquid

volume exactly from 10
mL to 100 mL.

○ Used for accurate and

precise measurement.

Test Tube

○ A plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at

one end and used especially in chemistry and
biology

○ Used by chemists to hold, mix, or heat small

quantities of solid or liquid chemicals.

Test Tube

Rack

○Used in the laboratory
for holding test tubes.

○A test tube rack can hold
about 6-12 test tubes.

Funnel

○ A hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller

end designed to catch and direct a downward flow

○ Used to channel liquid or fine-grained substances into

containers with a small opening.

Pipette

○ A small piece of

apparatus which
typically consists of a
narrow tube into which
fluid is drawn by
suction

○ Used to transport a

small amount of a
liquid

Tongs

○ A device usually of two movable pieces joined at one

end

○ Used for grasping and lifting containers of

heat-resistant material used in high temperature
chemical reactions.

Forceps

Also known as tweezers

○ A small instrument that is used like pincers in

grasping or pulling something

○ Used for picking up objects too small to be easily

handled

Digital Scale

○ Used to measure masses very precisely

○ The mass range for a balance is 0.5g to 600g.

Goggles

○ Protective eyewear around the facial area surrounding

the eyes.

○ Provide more protection than safety glasses from

impact, dust, liquid splash, optical radiation and high
heat hazards.

Test Tube Brush

● Used to clean test tubes

Food Thermometer

● An instrument

for measuring
and indicating
temperature

● Measures

temperature in °
C or °F

Oven
Thermometer

● Used to ensure temperature of the oven is

accurate as temperatures can fluctuate ±50°F

Dry Measuring Cups

● Utensils for

measuring various
amounts of dry or
sticky ingredients
accurately.

● They must be filled

to the top and
leveled off.

Liquid Measuring Cups

● Utensils for measuring various amounts of

liquid ingredients (NOT DRY)

● Measurements must be read on a level

surface at eye level

Oven Mitt

Oven glove, insulator worn on the hands to
keep heat from contacting the hand

Mortar & Pestle

● Used to grind/crush

ingredients & materials

Petri Dish

○ A small shallow dish

of thin glass or
plastic with a loose
cover

○ Used for holding a

culture medium upon
which cells, bacteria,
and viruses can be
grown