Beaker: Uses and How to Use It

Laboratory equipment guide

Beaker: Uses and How to Use It

A beaker is a cylindrical glass container with a flat bottom and a spout on the rim, used for mixing, heating, dissolving and holding liquids. Its scale is only approximate, so it is not used for accurate volume measurement.

How to use a beaker Beaker at AMI Scientific

What is a beaker used for?

Dissolving solids before transfer to a volumetric flask.
Heating and boiling solutions on a hot plate or gauze.
Mixing and stirring, including with a magnetic stirrer.
Holding liquids temporarily and serving as a simple water bath.

Parts of a beaker

1Spout – eases pouring and holds a stirring rod
2Approximate scale – roughly ±5%
3Cylindrical body – heat-resistant borosilicate glass
4Flat bottom – stable and heats evenly

How to use a beaker

Step 1

Hold the body; use tongs when hot

Grip the body with your whole hand when cold. Lift freshly heated beakers with beaker tongs or heat-resistant gloves.

Step 2

Pour along a stirring rod

Hold a glass rod against the spout and let the liquid run down it (1). This stops liquid running down the outside and splashing.

Step 3

Heat on gauze or a hot plate

Heat on wire gauze over a tripod (1) or on a hot plate (2). Fill no more than two-thirds so it does not boil over.

Step 4

Stir with a glass rod

Stir in circles with a glass rod without knocking the walls and bottom too hard.

Common mistakes

Measuring volumes for standards with the beaker scale: use a cylinder or volumetric flask.
Placing a hot beaker on a cold or wet surface: thermal shock can crack it.

Care and safety

Check for cracks and chips on the rim before use.
Wash with a brush and lab detergent, then rinse with distilled water.

Types and sizes

Common sizes are 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mL. Low-form (Griffin) is most common; tall-form (Berzelius) is used for titration and precipitation. PP or PMP plastic beakers are used for hydrofluoric acid or field work.