Prolonging Pipette Performance : Essential Tips for Longevity and Accuracy

Pipettes are essential tools in any laboratory, and proper care can significantly extend their lifespan while ensuring accuracy. Neglecting maintenance can lead to calibration issues, contamination, and costly replacements. Following simple practices can enhance pipettes’ performance and achieve reliable, precise results in every experiment.

• Proper Storage – Storing pipettes on a stand doesn’t just keep your laboratory workspace neat and tidy – it can also help to protect equipment from potential spills or accidently being knocked onto the floor.  In addition, laying a pipette down on the bench can lead to several further problems. Firstly, piston lubricant may accumulate on one side, which can subject equipment to avoidable deterioration. Pistons can also become misaligned, compromising calibration. Lastly, any liquid remaining inside a pipette can run into the body, resulting in unnecessary corrosion and damage.
  
  
• Remove the tip – Pipettes should never be left with a tip attached, even if simply putting it aside for a few minutes. This is because any remaining liquid residue inside the tip could evaporate into the body of the pipette and cause internal damage.
  
  
• Set at Maximum Volume – You should always set manual pipettes to their maximum volume once finished. This allows the spring to return to its least stressed position, further increasing the lifespan of the pipette.
  
  
• Regular Maintenance- Regular cleaning and greasing of a pipette is essential for ensuring precision and accuracy and it also, extends the life of the instrument, reduces the chance of cross-contamination, and supports consistent performance over time. By committing to regular upkeep, you enhance both the quality of your experiments and the durability of your pipette.
  
  

• Compatible Tips – Using compatible tips with your pipettes is crucial for extending their lifespan and maintaining performance. When tips are compatible with the pipette, they ensure a proper fit, which minimizes the risk of leakage and reduces wear on the pipette’s internal mechanisms. Incompatible tips can lead to poor sealing, resulting in air bubbles, inaccurate volumes, and increased strain on the pipette. Also, too much force needs to be applied for attaching incompatible tips which again harms the pipette.
  
  

• Avoid Over-aspiration: Never exceed the maximum volume limit of the pipette, as this can damage the internal components.
  
  

• Check for Compatibility with Reagents: Ensure that the reagents used are compatible with your pipette to avoid damage from corrosive or reactive substances.
  
  

• Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation, maintenance, and cleaning to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the pipette.
  

By implementing these best practices, you can achieve more consistent and reliable results, minimize sample waste, and extend the lifespan of your pipetting equipment.