[Histonet] What they don't want you to know.

[Ken M]

How can you make some of your Histology equipment last forever?

Water bath- fill the water every morning with water at about the same temperature that you operate. Every one of these water bath units contain a heating element that is the biggest source of failure. The less you make it work means you can extend the life of your unit ten times. Heat the water in a microwave or on the stove first.

Embedding Center- Same thing. Melt the wax ahead of time in a less draw intensive "coffee pot." before you put it in the chamber.  Don't ever crank the temperature of the unit up to melt the wax fast so you can get to work quicker. The heating elements will fail in three times their life.  Replacing the heating element in your embedding center will cost you $600-1000 dollars. Replacing the coffee pot $100.

Block Trimmer- same thing. Don't let it run too long when you are not using them. They use the exact same silicone heating element. The less it is on the longer it lasts.

Cryostat- put it to sleep at minus 10 each night. on weekends turn it off, open the top and let it dry out over the weekend. Don't believe the crap about the seals drying out if you turn it off. Do they dry out in your car in the Winter when the A/C is not running?