Basic laboratory equipment
So you say you've got your home lab ready? Well now it's time to load it up with some glassware. It is recommended that you buy real glassware, not substitutes (such as jars). Jars can be used, but if not treated right, can break easily which can cause a whole world of problems. For glassware sources, use google, eBay, and look for local American Science and Surplus stores - thats where I obtain most of my glassware.
Brands to look for:
Pyrex/Kimax is your first choice. They are probably the highest quality available to the home chemist, however also the most costly. Next would be bomex, which is more economical. All glass to be heated should be boroscillate glass. For information on each peice of glass, and it's purpose, click on it's name which should be a hyperlink.
Glassware:
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250ml Beaker - For small reactions, or mixing of chemicals
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2x 600ml Beaker- The average size required for most reactions
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1000ml Beaker- Great for crashing reactions with water, and general washing
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250ml Erlenmeyer Flask - For small reactions or basic mixing
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500ml Erlenmeyer Flask - The average size for most reactions requiring erlenmeyer flasks
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100ml Graduated cylinder - The most commonly used size
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10ml Graduated cylinder - Great for measuring out minute quantities - great for liquid catalysts
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Centigrade Thermometer - Get one that goes to -20C or -10C and up to at least 110C. Alcohol or mercury
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5x Stirring sticks - These break all the time. Get a lot, they're cheap
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200ml (200mm) evaporating dish
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75ml (75mm) conical glass funnel
Misc. Labware:
- 2x rubber stoppers - 2 for each erlenmeyer flask (read description at place of purchase for size)
- 500ml wash bottle - For distilled water
- 60ml (or similar) reagent bottle - Holding small amounts of chemicals produced in your lab
- 2x 250ml (or similar) reagent bottle - For holding larger amounts of chemicals produced in your lab
- Red litmus and Blue litmus paper - Red for measuring base, blue for measuring acid
- Filter paper - Coffee filters work great, no need to use anything else.
Lab Equipment:
- Electric hotplate - Must be electric, not flame
- Ringstand - Recommended but not necessary
- Icebath equipment - Used in many basic procedures for cooling
- Alcohol Burner or Blowtorch - Needed for heating up substances hotter than your hotplate
- Basic scale - It must measure in grams, but it only needs 2g accuracy/resolution. Food scales work
Of course, this is just a general guidline. It's basically what I started with, but of course not necessary. The above list will cost around 150 USD and will be able to do quite a bit of chemistry. The most expensive peice being the hotplate, averaging around 15 to 20 USD. The second most is the 1000ml beaker, usually 10-12 USD