Having an incubator in your science laboratory that is capable of keeping items at cold temperatures is important, so a chilling incubator is an investment you may want to make. These incubators are not the least expensive piece of equipment, so making sure you get a good-quality version when you do invest is important. Here you can take a look at some of the features you should be looking for when you are shopping for a chilling incubator for your lab. 

The unit has a timer with an auto-off function. 

When you place something inside of the chamber of a chilling incubator to cool, you will likely need it held at a specific temperature for only a certain period of time. Most incubators will have a timer, of course, but it is best to opt for a unit that has an auto-off feature so the unit will shut down if it is set to do so when the time limit is reached. Not having this feature means someone will always have to be present to remove items from the chamber when the timer goes off to prevent being exposed to cold temperatures for too long. 

The unit does not introduce any vibrations into the chamber. 

Some items you place inside the chamber will have to be kept completely stable. Any vibrations introduced inside of the unit can be threatening to the livelihood of what is kept inside. If a unit you are considering does not specifically state in the description that it does not vibrate, it is best to steer clear of it and get something else. The better-designed versions will have implements in place to keep the cooling motor stable while it turns, so there are no concerns about vibrations at all. 

The unit has a secondary, interior door for viewing without disruption. 

When you need to check on the items that are placed inside of the incubator, you do not want to risk raising the temperature inside of the chamber to do so. Most chilling incubators have a small panel in the center of the door to give you a view, but even this does not give a full view. It is best if you get an incubator that has a secondary, interior door that protects the chamber so you can open the outer door and get a quick look at whatever it is you are incubating inside.