Laboratory Guidelines for Hot Plate Use
Use only heat resistant, borosilicate glassware, and check for cracks before heating on a hot plate.
Do not place thick-walled glassware, such as filter flasks, or soft-glass bottles and jars on a hot plate. The hot plate should be larger than the vessel being heated.
Do not use the hot plate in the presence of flammable or combustible materials. Fire or explosion may result.
Observe at least a three inch clearance of any materials from a hot plate.
Keep the fume hood clutter free.
Place boiling stones in liquids being heated to facilitate even heating and boiling.
Do not heat a mixture to dryness--the glass may crack unexpectedly.
Use a water bath for heating liquids with low boiling points.
Use a medium high setting of the hot plate to heat most liquids, including water. Do not use a high setting to heat low boiling point liquids.
Use a temperature control unit or a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Be careful when removing hot glassware or pouring hot liquids from a hot plate. Use tongs or silicone rubber heat protectors (gripping devices).
Periodically check the hot plate temperature controls using a water bath and thermometer. Replace unreliable or malfunctioning equipment.
When in use, never leave a hot plate unattended.
