IKA RCT basic magnetic stirrer with heating, aluminium base plate, 0025008259
€763.30
% Manufacturer's RRP: €898.00 15% below manufacturer's RRP
- Digital heated magnetic stirrer for up to 20 litres of water
- Heating power of 800 watts, heating rate of 9 kelvin per minute (1 litre of water, H1500)
- Speed range 50 to 1,500 rpm, stepless control
- Aluminium base plate, Ø 135 mm, IP 54 protection against splashing water
- Connection for PT1000, ETS-D5, ETS-D7 and PT.Wireless, PT 1000.60 included in the scope of delivery
- RS232 and USB-C interfaces, optional WPAN sensor connection via USB WD dongle
- 10-year manufacturer's warranty when registered within 90 days
Product information "IKA RCT basic magnetic stirrer with heating, aluminium base plate, 0025008259"
Part of the IKA Specials Q4/2026, valid until 31 December 2026. The crossed-out price is IKA's recommended list price. Our promotional price is net.
The IKA RCT basic magnetic stirrer with heating (MPN 0025008259) is one of the most widely used laboratory instruments in the world and has stood for reliable stirring and heating for decades. The current generation covers the full range of typical laboratory tasks, from preparing small reagent quantities to stirring larger volumes, with a stirring capacity of up to 20 litres of water, a heating power of 800 watts and a speed range of 50 to 1,500 revolutions per minute. The 135 mm aluminium base plate gives even heat distribution, and the IP 54 protection class keeps the unit safe from splashing water during continuous use.
Powerful drive and precise speed control
The magnetic drive of the RCT basic covers a stepless speed range from 50 to 1,500 revolutions per minute, set via a rotary push button control with a setting accuracy of 10 rpm. Stirring bars from 20 to 80 mm in length can be used, so the unit suits small beakers as well as larger vessels with a load of up to 25 kg. The drive is a brushless DC motor with 9 watts of output power and keeps a constant speed even at higher viscosities, without a noticeable change in the stirring pattern as the load increases. With the optional IKA HUB, automatic reverse rotation and intermittent operation can also be activated, for example to loosen deposits on the stirring bar or to automate recurring stirring cycles.
Aluminium base plate and glass control panel
The base plate of the RCT basic is made from an aluminium alloy with a diameter of 135 mm and gives fast, even heat transfer during heating. The control panel with its glass surface is easy to clean even with frequent contact with chemicals. The housing is protected to IP 54 against splashing water and dust, a clear step up from the IP 42 rating of the previous generation, and this makes it suitable for wet areas and washing stations in the lab as well.
Heating power and safety concept for continuous operation
With a heating power of 800 watts, the RCT basic heats one litre of water by 9 kelvin per minute in heating stage H1500, noticeably faster than the 600 watts and 6.5 kelvin per minute of the previous generation, and reaches temperatures from room temperature up to 310 degrees Celsius, adjustable in steps of 1 kelvin. The safety temperature range can be set independently between 50 and 360 degrees Celsius with a tolerance of 5 degrees Celsius and switches off the heater immediately on an unexpected overtemperature. If the unit is switched off while the heating plate is still above 50 degrees Celsius, the display alternates between the warning "HOT" and the current plate temperature until the plate has cooled to a safe level. Combined with the supplied external PT1000 temperature sensor, control accuracy in the medium reaches ±0.5 kelvin; with an optional IKA ETS-D5 contact thermometer it stays at ±0.5 kelvin, and with the ETS-D7 or the wireless PT.Wireless sensor it improves to ±0.2 kelvin. The ETS-D7 or PT.Wireless sensor also allows an optional pH reading of the medium on the RCT basic.
Digital display and interfaces for process documentation
An LED display shows setpoint and actual values for speed and temperature in real time, so the process can be monitored at all times. Via the digital USB-C and RS232 interfaces, the RCT basic can be connected to a PC and documented, for example, with the labworldsoft laboratory software. For external temperature measurement, a socket is available for the PT1000 series as well as the ETS-D5 and ETS-D7 electronic contact thermometers, and an optional USB WD dongle also connects the wireless PT.Wireless sensor via WPAN. A built-in timer covers times from 1 second to 5,999 minutes, and a sensor-in-medium detection reports once the temperature probe is actually immersed in the medium. When the RCT basic is controlled externally via IKA HUB or labworldsoft, the device controls can be locked with the safeSTOP function, and the display then shows "safeSTOP". Power supply is 220 to 230 volts at 50 or 60 hertz, with power consumption of 820 watts in operation and 0.45 watts in standby.
Compact format for parallel use
At 160 x 100 x 200 mm (width x height x depth) and a net weight of 2.3 kg, the RCT basic takes up little space on the bench or in the fume hood. Its compact format makes it easier to run several units in parallel, for example when quality control or research work needs several batches stirred and heated at the same time. Because the stirrer and the heater are combined in one unit, there is no need to set up separate stirring and heating devices, which saves bench space and reduces cabling at the workstation.
Typical applications
As a base unit for stirring and heating liquid media, the RCT basic is used across a wide range of laboratory settings, from routine analysis to synthesis:
- Preparing and heating buffers, nutrient solutions and reagents in the routine lab
- Chemical syntheses with defined temperature control, for example reflux boiling or dissolving solids
- Homogenising larger volumes of solution thanks to a stirring capacity of up to 20 litres of water, for example stock solutions in quality control
- Sample preparation with external temperature monitoring via PT1000, ETS-D5, ETS-D7 or PT.Wireless, for example during digestion or extraction
- Use at wet workstations and washing areas thanks to IP 54 protection against splashing water
- Training and teaching in chemistry and pharmacy, where robust, easy-to-use instruments are needed
Technical details
| Number of stirring positions | 1 |
| Max. stirring volume per position (H2O) | 20 litres |
| Maximum load | 25 kg |
| Speed range | 50 to 1500 rpm |
| Speed adjustment | Stepless via rotary push button |
| Speed setting accuracy | 10 rpm |
| Max. stirring bar length | 20 to 80 mm |
| Motor type | Brushless DC motor (EC), 9 W output |
| Heating power | 800 W |
| Heating temperature range | Room temperature to 310 °C |
| Temperature setting resolution | 1 K (heating plate), 0.1 K (actual value display) |
| Adjustable safety temperature range | 50 to 360 °C ± 5 °C |
| Heating rate (1 l H2O, stage H1500) | 9 K/min |
| Control accuracy with PT1000 | ± 0.5 K |
| Control accuracy with ETS-D5 | ± 0.5 K |
| Control accuracy with ETS-D7 or PT.Wireless | ± 0.2 K |
| Control accuracy at heating plate centre without vessel (100 °C) | ± 5 K |
| Self-heating of the base plate (RT 22 °C, 1 h stirring) | max. + 12 K |
| Base plate material | Aluminium alloy |
| Base plate dimensions | Ø 135 mm |
| Overall dimensions (W x H x D) | 160 x 100 x 200 mm |
| Net weight | 2.3 kg |
| Protection class per DIN EN 60529 | IP 54 |
| Display | LED display for setpoint and actual values |
| Connection for external sensor | PT1000 series, ETS-D5, ETS-D7, PT.Wireless |
| Timer | 1 second to 5,999 minutes |
| Digital interfaces | RS232 and USB-C |
| WPAN interface | optional via USB WD dongle |
| pH measurement | optional with ETS-D7 or PT.Wireless |
| Safety systems | Adjustable safety circuit, HOT display warning, sensor-in-medium detection, safeSTOP function |
| Power consumption | 820 W, standby 0.45 W |
| Power supply | 220 to 230 V, 50/60 Hz |
Scope of delivery
- 1 x IKA RCT basic magnetic stirrer base unit (MPN 0025008259)
- 1 x IKA PT 1000.60 temperature sensor
- 1 x mains lead
- 1 x screwdriver for the safety circuit
- 1 set of IKAFLON 30 round and IKAFLON 40 round magnetic stirring bars
- 1 x quick start guide
- 1 x warranty card
Matching accessories
The RCT basic has a socket for external PT1000 series temperature sensors as well as the ETS-D5 and ETS-D7 contact thermometers, so it can be upgraded in a targeted way:
- IKA ETS-D5 electronic contact thermometer with touchscreen (MPN 0025008371) for finer temperature control, up to ±0.5 kelvin accuracy in the medium
Further original accessories such as the wireless PT.Wireless temperature sensor, the ETS-D7 or the USB WD dongle for WPAN connection are available through our procurement service.
Individual requirements & procurement service
IKA provides a manufacturer's warranty for the RCT basic of 2 years, extended to 10 years if the device is registered at ika.com/register within 90 days of purchase.
To integrate the RCT basic into existing laboratory workstations, our procurement service offers further original accessories, such as support rods and cross-sleeves to secure the temperature sensor, heating baths to protect glassware, or additional contact thermometers for more complex temperature profiles. We are also glad to help with spare parts, individual calibration or custom builds. For more information and contact options, visit our procurement service.