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Lab equipment you can also use at home

posted by Chris Valentine

Most of the typical things that we use on a daily basis have ended up the way they are thanks to science. You wouldn’t believe the thousands of technological advances that have happened over the course of the past century. If the Dark Ages hadn’t existed, humankind would be far more advanced.

Laboratory equipment, as vague and somewhat unfriendly as it might sound to some people, is used in a variety of situations where its services are absolutely necessary. However, the basics principles of some machines and appliances are also used in those that we use every day.

Several examples range from ultrasonic jewelry cleaners to sterilizes and dryers. The latter are based on pretty much the same operating principles of autoclave sterilizers and even vacuum ovens. As for ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, some people use them to have their dentures cleaned, or just their necklaces, rings, or bracelets.

The problem with most of these devices is that they should be utilized in such a way so as to avoid posing risks to the user. The design of most such machines is far simpler than that of their industrial or medical counterparts, and that’s due to the fact that home users are amateurs when it comes to handling scientific equipment unless they have experience or the theoretical knowledge that allows them to perform these activities safely.

Another device that might be a helpful addition to any kitchen is a centrifuge. Sure, these types of lab equipment might be less popular than, say, meat thermometers, but they can prove their worth in a variety of situations. For example, they can be utilized to improve your cooking, especially if you are looking to separate milk from fat and create homemade butter.

Usually, for such an endeavor, there’s a thing called a milk cream separator. But the fact is that some micro-centrifuges that can be used easily and efficiently are far more budget-friendly compared to milk cream separators. Besides, the processors they are outfitted with render them perfectly capable of raising up to par under any circumstance.

Another example of an item that’s used mostly for medical and scientific purpose and that can also be employed for other activities is the typical pH meter. This type of device is traditionally used for measuring the pH of urine or, in some cases, urine. However, nowadays, home users utilize pH meters on a large scale for measuring the pH of their alcoholic concoctions. As such,  one might find these devices popular with wine and beer brewers.

The same goes for the refractometer, another allegedly scientific piece of equipment that doesn’t appear to be particularly useful for regular people. In fact, a refractometer is used to determine the density or viscosity of honey, so it is a rather popular device with beekeepers. In scientific situations, however, this particular gadget is utilized to determine the hydration level of a being. It can be particularly useful for athletes who want to keep tabs on their hydration statuses.

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