Memmert UF160 Universal Oven, heating and drying oven with forced circulation, 161 litres, up to 300 °C

Within the eight-tier UF series with forced convection, the Memmert UF160 universal oven marks the exact point at which a benchtop unit becomes a floor-standing oven: 161 litres’ internal volume, a temperature range of 20 to 300 °C and up to 8 shelves for the daily rotation of different batches. The air turbine, which can be electronically controlled in 10 per cent increments, actively distributes the heat throughout the interior and brings samples up to temperature more quickly and evenly than natural convection alone. From drying freshly cleaned laboratory glassware, through the tempering, ageing and firing of material samples, to curing in quality assurance, the UF160 thus covers a wide range of applications in laboratories and industry.

Circulating air for even temperature distribution and short heating-up times

The air turbine in the Memmert UF160 universal oven can be controlled electronically in 10 per cent increments and actively distributes heat throughout the interior, rather than simply allowing it to rise, as is the case with a natural convection oven. As a result, the UF160 reaches its operating temperature range from as low as 10 °C above room temperature up to 300 °C more quickly than a natural convection unit, which only starts operating from around 5 °C above room temperature but operates without any air movement inside the chamber. A DIN Class A Pt100 temperature sensor with 4-wire measurement ensures a setting accuracy of 0.1 °C up to 99.9 °C and 0.5 °C from 100 °C. Those running many different batches with varying setpoint temperatures benefit from the shorter heating phases achieved through active air circulation.

ControlCOCKPIT SingleDISPLAY: Operation, programming and data acquisition

The UF160 is controlled via the ControlCOCKPIT SingleDISPLAY, an adaptive, multifunctional digital PID microprocessor controller with a high-resolution TFT colour graphic display. Settings include temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, the speed of the air circulation motor, the position of the exhaust air flap, the programme duration, as well as the time zone and summer/winter time. A digital countdown timer with target time can be set from 1 minute to 99 days; the SetpointWait function only starts the actual process time once the setpoint temperature has actually been reached, which ensures reproducible results in time-critical drying or ageing processes. The integrated data logger can be read, managed and organised via the Ethernet interface; a time-limited trial version of the AtmoCONTROL software is available for download to get you started.

Capacity and connections of the Memmert UF160 universal chamber

The interior of the UF160 accommodates up to 8 shelves; 2 electropolished stainless steel grids are included as standard. The cabinet can be loaded with a total of up to 210 kg; a maximum of 20 kg is permitted per shelf. The internal usable space measures 560 x 720 x 400 mm; the external dimensions of the cabinet are 745 x 1,104 x 584 mm, and the net weight is approximately 96 kg. The interior consists of easy-to-clean stainless steel, reinforced by deep-drawn ribbing, with protected, integrated 4-sided all-round heating; the housing is made of textured stainless steel with a fully galvanised sheet steel rear panel. The UF160 can be connected either to 230 V (approx. 3,200 W) or 115 V (approx. 1,800 W), in both cases at 50/60 Hz; a single-phase connection is still sufficient for this size.

Selection guide: choosing the right size from the UF range

Eight sizes ranging from 53 to 1,060 litres internal volume make up the Memmert UF range with forced air circulation, each also available with TwinDISPLAY. When selecting the appropriate size, the key factors – alongside the internal volume – are the footprint and the number of shelves required; not every larger model automatically requires more floor space.

The UF160 bridges the gap between a benchtop unit and a floor-standing cabinet: whilst having the same footprint as the smaller Memmert UF110 universal cabinet, it offers significantly more capacity – with 8 shelves instead of 5 – in a housing that is only slightly larger. For those who regularly run even larger batches, the next step up is the Memmert UF260 universal cabinet with a capacity of 256 litres. You can find all sizes in this range in the LT Laborhandel range of climate cabinets and incubators.

Differences: TwinDISPLAY and the natural convection variant

Within the UF160 series, the key purchasing decision is between SingleDISPLAY and TwinDISPLAY. The UF160 described here operates with a single Pt100 sensor and one display; for unattended processes with higher safety requirements, the Memmert UF160plus universal cabinet offers two redundant Pt100 sensors with mutual monitoring, as well as two TFT displays instead of one. Those who can do without active air circulation – for example, because samples sensitive to dust or air movement are laid out in the open – will find the Memmert UN160 universal cabinet to be the direct counterpart, featuring natural convection rather than an air turbine, whilst offering the same internal volume of 161 litres. On the other hand, those who can manage with a smaller volume will save a considerable amount of floor space with the more compact Memmert UN110 universal cabinet.

Safety in accordance with DIN 12880 for unattended operation

In addition to the adjustable electronic temperature monitoring, the UF160 features a mechanical temperature limiter of protection class 1 in accordance with DIN 12880, which switches off the heater at approximately 20 °C above the maximum cabinet temperature – an important safety feature for overnight or weekend runs. An integrated self-diagnostic system assists with fault-finding, whilst the calibration function allows three freely selectable temperature values to be readjusted. The unit bears CE and EAC markings as well as a UL test mark.

Application, Installation and Disposal

For the UF160 to operate, a minimum distance of 15 cm from the wall and a maximum distance of 20 cm from the ceiling must be maintained; a minimum distance of 5 cm from the side of the wall or an adjacent unit is sufficient. It may be installed at altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level at an ambient temperature of 5 °C to 40 °C and a relative humidity of no more than 80 per cent, non-condensing. Electrically, the cabinet is designed for overvoltage category II and pollution degree 2; it must only be transported in an upright position. The interior, made of easy-to-clean stainless steel, can be maintained using standard laboratory cleaning agents; the robust structured stainless steel construction ensures a long service life. As an electrical appliance, the UF160 is subject to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act at the end of its service life and must not be disposed of with household waste; see Regulatory Information below.

Typical applications

With forced air circulation, an internal volume of 161 litres and a maximum installation altitude of 2,000 m, the Memmert UF160 universal oven is suitable for a wide range of heat treatment processes in laboratories and industry.

• Drying of laboratory glassware and sample vessels in routine operation
• Tempering, ageing and firing of material samples
• Testing and curing in quality assurance
• Material testing in industrial manufacturing
• Heat treatment processes in science and research
• An intermediate option for laboratories that require greater capacity than the UF110 can provide

Investment rationale: SingleDISPLAY or TwinDISPLAY

The UF160 is supplied with 2 electropolished stainless steel wire shelves; the cabinet is designed to accommodate up to 8 shelves. For daytime operation under supervision, the SingleDISPLAY of the UF160 described here is generally sufficient. If, on the other hand, drying or ageing processes run unattended overnight or at the weekend, the redundant sensor system of the Memmert UF160plus universal cabinet reduces the risk of a single sensor failure jeopardising the entire batch. For visual inspection without opening the door, a fully transparent glass door rated up to 250 °C or 300 °C is available as an option, as are interior lighting and reinforced wire mesh shelves or perforated metal sheets rated up to 60 kg for heavier samples. Anyone wishing to use the data logger on a permanent basis rather than just with the time-limited trial version should add an AtmoCONTROL software licence. For pharmaceutical or standards-compliant applications, we arrange calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ and maintenance services, including those accredited by DAkkS.

Frequently asked questions before purchase

How many samples can the UF160 hold at once?
Two wire racks are included as standard; up to 8 inserts, each with a maximum load of 20 kg, are possible, giving a total load capacity of up to 210 kg.

How does the UF160 differ from the UF160plus?
Both share the same housing and air turbine; the UF160plus additionally offers two redundant Pt100 sensors, TwinDISPLAY, HeatBALANCE and AutoSAFETY for greater process reliability during unattended operation.

Is a natural convection version available in this size?
Yes, the Memmert UN160 universal chamber offers the same internal volume of 161 litres, but operates without an air turbine and is suitable for samples sensitive to dust or air movement.

What is the accuracy of the temperature control?
0.1 °C up to 99.9 °C and 0.5 °C from 100 °C, measured using a DIN Class A Pt100 sensor with 4-wire technology.

What power supply is required?
Either 230 V at approximately 3,200 W or 115 V at approximately 1,800 W, in each case at 50/60 Hz; a single-phase connection is sufficient.

Is the UF160 suitable for continuous operation overnight?
The mechanical temperature limiter, which complies with Protection Class 1 as per DIN 12880, switches the heater off if the temperature exceeds approximately 20 °C and is designed for unattended operation.

Can a glass door be retrofitted?
A full-view glass door rated up to 250 °C or 300 °C is one of the standard options for the UF160 and can be specified when ordering.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1x Memmert UF160 universal cabinet
• Factory calibration certificate (calibrated at 160 °C)
• Fully insulated stainless steel door with 2-point locking (compression door seal)
• 2x electropolished stainless steel grating

Regulatory information

The Memmert UF160 universal cabinet is registered with the Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register (Stiftung EAR) under WEEE registration number DE 66812464.

Customised requirements & procurement service

Options available for the UF160 include fully transparent glass doors rated up to 250 °C or 300 °C, interior lighting, reinforced wire mesh shelves and perforated metal sheets supporting up to 60 kg, slide-in or floor-standing drip trays, as well as wall brackets, levelling feet and a mobile or fixed base frame. For data acquisition, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter with a 5 m cable and AtmoCONTROL software licences are available; FDA-compliant licences are also available. In addition, we arrange calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ and maintenance services, including those accredited by DAkkS. Do you require any of these accessories, a gas-tight version with gas inlet and outlet, a specific feed-through (14, 23, 38, 57 or 100 mm), or assistance in selecting the right universal cabinet for your application? Through our procurement service, LT Laborhandel will be happy to assist you with procurement and configuration.