Memmert VO vs. VOcool: Choosing the Right Vacuum Oven for Your Application
Vacuum drying offers a significant advantage when working with sensitive materials. Lowering the pressure reduces the boiling point of liquids, allowing moisture to be removed at lower temperatures. This helps protect products and samples from thermal stress while providing controlled, reproducible drying conditions.
Memmert offers two vacuum oven solutions designed for different temperature requirements: the Vacuum Oven (VO) and the Cooled Vacuum Oven (VOcool).
Powerful and Precise Vacuum Drying
One of the defining features of Memmert vacuum ovens is the directly heated thermoshelf technology. Rather than relying solely on heating the chamber walls, heat is transferred directly from the thermoshelves to the load. Each thermoshelf features its own temperature sensing and control, supporting precise and uniform conditions throughout the chamber. Digital pressure control and programmable vacuum cycles can further optimize drying processes.
For additional performance, Memmert offers an optional noise-insulated vacuum pump module, which can reduce drying time by approximately 70%. The module also includes an antivibration metal plate to minimize vibration and a full-sight glass door for convenient visibility and access.
Choosing the Right Vacuum Oven
The key difference between the VO and VOcool comes down to the required temperature range.
The Memmert Vacuum Oven (VO) is designed for conventional and higher-temperature vacuum drying, with a temperature range of +20°C to +200°C and vacuum control from 5 to 1100 mbar. Available in 29, 49, and 101-liter chamber sizes, the VO is an excellent choice when fast heat transfer, programmable vacuum cycles, and precise temperature control are important.
Some applications present a different challenge: maintaining vacuum conditions while keeping materials at or below room temperature.
The Memmert Cooled Vacuum Ovens (VOcool) is designed specifically for these temperature-sensitive processes. Its active Peltier heating and cooling system provides a temperature range of +5°C to +90°C, while maintaining the same 5 to 1100 mbar vacuum control range. VOcool is also available in 29, 49, and 101-liter sizes.
Choose the VOcool when your process requires vacuum combined with active cooling or tightly controlled low temperatures. Its +5°C to +90°C operating range makes it particularly valuable when protecting temperature-sensitive materials is a priority. VOcool can also simulate reduced-pressure environments for applications such as air-freight packaging and altitude-condition testing.
Both solutions bring Memmert's precise temperature and pressure control to the vacuum environment. Ultimately, the right choice comes down to one key question: Which temperature range best matches your process?