We need to buy new CO2 incubators (specifically for work on bone marrow-derived DC and macs) and ESCO reps offer us these incubators that are substantially cheaper than similar models from better known suppliers (e.g. Thermo). No one here in Uruguay has experience with ESCO incubators, hence the question. Specific points: are these incubators OK in terms of avoidance of microbial contamination (is their 90ºC self-sterilisation cycle good)? Are they stable with respect to mechanical vibration (which activate dendritic cells)? Is their temperature control good (in spite of being air-jacketed)?
We don't have experience with ESCO.
We are planning to buy VWR CO2 incubators.
Hi Alvaro Diaz, I am Michael Basa from Esco. Just want to answer your inquiry regarding 90ºC decontamination cycle. We have inhouse whitepaper and third party testing regarding effectiveness of our decontamination cycle, if you want I can share these informations to you, my email is [email protected]. We are selling our CO2 incubators worldwide and this product is well postioned against competitors, we have incorporated 90 deg C validated moist decon, ULPA filters, data-logging, CO2 tank replacement alerts and other functions, at a more competitive price. We also have a distributor in Uruguay selling CO2 incubators that can help you provide more details on this product
Hi Subbarao, I am Michae Basa from Esco. Esco also have a subsidiary office in Pennsylvania which provides sales and after sales service support to our distributors/sales reps in North America and Canada. You can email me any inquiries reagrding CO2 incubator at [email protected]. Alternatively, I can ask our distributor/sales to contact you and provide you more info. Thanks
I've had experience with Esco incubators. In general they work as well as other brands (i.e. Thermo). They do sell more than one model though, so if you have a specific question about a particular model please feel free to message me.
Thank you all for the answers. We have now bought an ESCO CelCulture 50 L incubator and so far we are happy with it.
How to run a Decontamination cycle of Esco CCL-170B-8-UV??
I am little confused with how to remove all sensors before decontamination cycle.
At least in the model we have, it's just removing the CO2 sensor (IR sensor), which is on the top inner wall of the incubator. You just need to unscrew and remove. Good luck.
An additional comment after longer experience. The CO2 sensor in the 50L ESCO incubator apparently fails every two years approximately, and the only solution that the supplier offers is to replace it. The symptom of the failure is a slow return of the unit to the set CO2 level after, for example, opening the incubator (which probably is the consequence of slow response of the CO2 sensor). Our guess is that this failure happens because the unit does not have an internal HEPA filter, so the filters protecting the CO2 sensor gradually become clogged with particles. This probably is not a problem with the 170 L model as this does have a HEPA filter.
I am using the CO2 incubator, I got problems with Rh sensor even from the day of installation. The IR CO2 sensor in the ESCO incubator apparently fails every year two years approximately, and the only solution that the supplier offers is to replace it. next visit they told that the heating sensor are not working, Now from last one year we are facing same problem and incubators are not in the working, The company is not serious for the repairing of the instrument even after the system is under AMC. Today they are sayng again the new problem that we have to install the software again. I recommend the people do not use the CO2 incubator from the ESCO. It is west of the money as well as time.
In general esco co2 incubators working but other brands viz Thermo is better. Now we are getting the issue with sensor viz. Humidity sensor and CO2 sensor (which IR sensor) level in incubator. life of sensors seems to be maximum 2 years.
ESCO CO2 Incubators have high level of VOC and not suitable for embryo culture. Their sensor has short life especially with O2 sensor followed by CO2 sensors.
We had no.3 top of the range units delivered few weeks ago. During the IQ/OQ, running the decontamination cycle one unit just stopped to work and is not more turning on. ESCO staff does not want to proceed further with the IQ/OQ of the two remaining units because they are afraid that they will get fried too. At the moment we are working with 3 Thermo units and 3 Binder unit for more than 9 years without a single problem. So, personally I cannot recommend ESCO and I will not buy again this brand specially considering that the economical benefit is just 20% less then Thermo or Binder
Esco CO2 incubator quality and performance is very bad. From installation till now we are getting problems with both humidity and CO2 sensor. Never worked properly.