Evaporating Dish: Uses and How to Use It
Evaporating Dish: Uses and How to Use It
An evaporating dish is a shallow porcelain bowl with a small spout, used to evaporate solvent from a solution so the dissolved substance remains as a solid or crystals. Porcelain withstands high temperatures, so the dish can be heated.
What is a evaporating dish used for?
- Evaporating solvent to recover salts or crystals, e.g. NaCl from brine.
- Concentrating a solution before crystallisation.
- Drying small amounts of precipitate or sample.
Parts of a evaporating dish
- 1Spout – for pouring off remaining liquid
- 2Glazed porcelain body – heat and chemical resistant; the outer base is usually unglazed
How to use a evaporating dish
Heat on gauze or a water bath
Place the dish on wire gauze on a tripod over a burner (1), or over a water bath for gentler evaporation. Fill no more than two-thirds.
Stir and stop before dryness
Stir now and then with a glass rod. Turn off the heat when the solution is almost dry (1); the dish's residual heat finishes the job without spattering.
Lift with crucible tongs
Lift the hot dish with crucible tongs (1) and set it on a heat-proof mat or in a desiccator to cool.
Common mistakes
- Heating to complete dryness on a strong flame: crystals spatter out and can hit your eyes.
- Putting a hot dish on a cold or wet surface: the porcelain can crack.
Care and safety
- Soak crystal residues in warm water or dilute acid before scrubbing.
- Check for hairline cracks; cracked dishes can break when heated.
SOP for using a evaporating dish
A summary of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for a evaporating dish that your laboratory can adapt. Each step is explained in the how-to section above.
1Protective equipment
- A buttoned, long-sleeved lab coat.
- Safety glasses; goggles where corrosive splashes are possible.
- Nitrile gloves suited to the chemicals handled; heat-resistant gloves for hot items.
2Before use
- Check the porcelain for hairline cracks and chips.
- Read the SDS of every chemical you will handle.
- Have crucible tongs and a heat-proof mat ready.
- Evaporate organic solvents in a fume hood, away from open flames.
4After use
- Let it cool before washing.
- Soak off residues, wash, rinse with distilled water and dry.
5Verification & calibration
- For gravimetric work, heat the empty dish to constant mass before use.
6Emergencies
- Chemical spill: warn people nearby, secure the area and clean up with a spill kit according to the SDS.
- Chemical on skin or in eyes: rinse with running water for at least 15 minutes (eyewash or safety shower), then report to the lab supervisor.
- Burn from hot glass: cool under running water for 10–20 minutes; do not apply toothpaste or butter.
A print-ready version with purpose, scope, illustrated procedure, verification and sign-off boxes. Fill in your own document number and effective date.
Download the SOP (PDF, A4)Types and sizes
Common diameters are 60, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mm, flat or round-bottomed. Besides porcelain, quartz and platinum dishes are used for special analyses.
Evaporating Dish at AMI Scientific
Examples of evaporating dish available in our store. Prices exclude VAT.
Cawan Penguap Porselen Bercorot Berglasir HaldenwangerFrom Rp226.000
Cawan Penguap Porselen Dasar Rata HaldenwangerFrom Rp282.000
Cawan Penguap Porselen Bentuk Prancis Dasar Rata HaldenwangerFrom Rp404.000
Cawan Penguap Porselen Bentuk Prancis HaldenwangerFrom Rp675.000
AMI Scientific supplies laboratory glassware, instruments and chemicals with tax invoices and delivery across Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an evaporating dish and a crucible?
An evaporating dish is shallow and wide for evaporating solutions; a crucible is smaller and deeper, used to ignite solids at very high temperatures.
Why stop heating before it is dry?
To prevent spattering. The dish's residual heat evaporates the last of the solvent.
Related equipment
Compiled by the AMI Scientific team from standard laboratory practice. Illustrations: AMI Scientific. Updated: 06-11-2026.
Need a evaporating dish for your laboratory?
AMI Scientific supplies laboratory glassware, instruments and chemicals with tax invoices and delivery across Indonesia.
Available at AMI Scientific
Cawan Penguap Porselen Bercorot Berglasir Haldenwanger
From Rp226.000