Just like any other lab equipment, pipettes also require regular maintenance in order to operate accurately and consistently. Ask any lab manager, and they will tell you the importance of maintaining all the equipment, from filter tips to PCR plates, and pipettes are no different. The solutions and chemicals you handle in the lab every day need precise, accurate, and contaminant-free pipettes to ensure you have error-free results.
In this blog, we are guiding you on the entire process of maintaining pipettes that are guaranteed to ensure reliable results. So, keep reading to find out the best way to do preventative maintenance of your pipettes used in the lab. (Gilson)
Clean Your Pipettes
Of course, the first and most important step of all is the regular cleaning of your pipettes. A contaminated one will make all your related assays and workflow useless. So, it is important that you follow our guide to clean both the external and internal sections of the pipettes you are using. The frequency at which you need to do the external cleaning depends on what you are using them for and how often you are using them.
Make use of the best lab equipment cleaning solution on lint-free tissues or a soft cloth and gently wipe the entire pipette. However, you want to make sure you don’t submerge the entire thing in water. Wiping or gentle scrubbing with the soap solution will help you get rid of all the grime and dust from the pipette.
Conduct a Visual Inspection
Once you are done cleaning, inspect your pipette for any signs of damage or corrosion. Make sure you check all the elements of the pipette. There should be no cracks, damage, or early signs of corrosion because all this can end up influencing your results.
Inspect the button on the pipette to ensure it is straight and doesn’t show any signs of chemical damage or cracks. It will only take two minutes and prevent you from working with compromised equipment.
Perform Functional Tests
You must perform a regular functional test to check if your pipette is working as designed. This will quickly alert you if there are any issues with the equipment. All you need to do is to set the pipette to the maximum volume and test its button, piston, and ejector. If you feel as if the movements are jerky, you will have to service the device.
Conduct Regular Preventative Maintenance and Calibration
Cleaning and testing the pipette regularly will surely keep it working, but it is still important to perform preventative maintenance and calibration, as mentioned in the user guide. Those guidelines will ensure you have a proper workflow and consistent results once you are done with the maintenance.
Preventative maintenance basically asks you to replace wearable parts, such as o-rings and seals and regreasing the mechanical systems. So, make sure to get these tasks done so that everything in the pipette works as it is supposed to.
Develop Maintenance Procedure for Different Workflows
The best approach over here is to take every element, from cleaning to calibration, and create a procedure that will work best for your lab. You can easily avoid cross-contamination with regular cleaning and decontamination. Then the tests, inspections, and services will make sure your pipettes provide reliable and accurate results during your workflows.
Now, if you have any questions on how to maintain or clean your pipettes properly, you can contact Molecular Biology Products for further advice. We are always available to help you out whenever you want, with anything you want. Plus, all of our lab equipment is extremely reliable and accurate, ensuring that you have a proper workflow and error-free results every time.
So, if you are looking to equip your lab with some of the best equipment out there, check out our collection at Molecular Biology Products INC. We have everything from PCR plates to pipettes to make sure you don’t have to look anywhere else. In addition, you can be assured that you will get the best quality products at the best price.
Work Cited
Gilson. “Article | Everything You Need to Know about Pipette Maintenance – Learning Hub.” Gilson, 21 April 2021, https://www.gilson.com/default/learninghub/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pipette-maintenance.html. Accessed 8 December 2021.
