In a laboratory setting, handling hot, hazardous, or delicate materials requires precision and care. Chemistry tongs are essential tools designed to safely grip, transfer, and manipulate various objects, from heated glassware to small chemical samples. These tongs come in different shapes and sizes, each suited for specific tasks to ensure both efficiency and safety in the lab.
This guide explores the different types of chemistry tongs, their common uses, differences between particular types of tongs, and the important safety measures to follow when using them. Whether you’re working with beakers, crucibles, or test tubes, understanding the right tongs for the job can help prevent accidents and ensure smooth lab operations.
Main Uses of Tongs in the Laboratory
Here are the main uses of longs in the laboratory:
- Holding Hot Glassware – Used to grip and transport hot beakers, flasks, or test tubes to prevent burns.
- Handling Crucibles – Crucible tongs are designed to move crucibles that have been heated in a furnace or over a flame.
- Transferring Chemicals – Used to handle small amounts of solid chemicals, especially those that should not be touched directly.
- Removing Lids and Covers – Helps in lifting hot covers from crucibles or evaporating dishes (see the video below)
- Holding Small Objects in Flame – Used to grip objects that need direct exposure to a Bunsen burner flame, such as metal strips or magnesium.
- Placing and Removing Items from Heat Sources – Ensures safe handling of materials being heated on hot plates or in ovens.
- Handling Contaminated or Hazardous Materials – Prevents direct contact with harmful substances or chemically reactive materials. For instance, when handling contaminated glassware or materials exposed to biological hazards (e.g., bacteria in petri dishes), tongs help reduce the risk of spreading contamination. Some metals, like magnesium, also react violently with water. Handling them with tongs instead of bare hands reduces risk.
- Supporting Evaporation and Drying Processes – Holds materials steady during heating or drying procedures.
- Holding Test Tubes Over Flames – Some types of tongs, like test tube tongs, are specifically designed for safely heating test tubes over a flame.
Main Types of Tongs Used In the Laboratory
In a laboratory, different types of tongs are used to handle hot, hazardous, or delicate materials safely. Each type is designed for a specific purpose, whether it’s gripping heated glassware, transferring small substances, or securing equipment during experiments. Below are the main types of laboratory tongs and their uses.
1. Beaker Tongs
- Description: Scissor-like tongs with circular, rubber-coated or plastic-coated gripping ends.
- Use: Designed to hold and transport hot beakers safely, preventing burns and spills. The rubber coating provides a better grip but limits exposure to very high temperatures.
2. Crucible Tongs
- Description: Long, metal tongs with pointed, curved, or flat gripping ends. Made entirely of metal to withstand high temperatures.
- Use: Used to handle hot crucibles, evaporating dishes, and other small heated objects, especially when exposed to direct flame.
3. Test Tube Tongs (Test Tube Holders)
- Description: A spring-loaded, clamp-like tool that securely holds test tubes. Often made of metal with an insulated handle.
- Use: Used to hold test tubes while heating them over a flame, preventing direct hand contact and reducing the risk of burns.
4. Utility Tongs
- Description: General-purpose tongs with a versatile gripping design, usually made of metal.
- Use: Used for handling a variety of objects, including hot glassware, small metal tools, and other heated equipment.
5. Burette Tongs (Burette Clamps)
- Description: Tongs with a special clamp mechanism designed to hold burettes vertically in place.
- Use: Used to secure a burette to a stand for titration experiments, ensuring stability and precision.
6. Forceps (Tweezers)
- Description: Small, tweezer-like tongs used for handling tiny objects with precision.
- Use: Used to pick up small solid substances, delicate specimens, or materials that should not be touched by hand.
7. Retort Tongs (Flask Tongs)
- Description: Similar to beaker tongs but designed specifically for handling flasks.
- Use: Used to securely hold and transfer flasks, particularly during heating.
8. Foundry Tongs
Foundry tongs are specialized heavy-duty tongs used in metalworking and foundries to handle molten metal, hot castings, and metal parts during forging, casting, or welding processes. They are typically made of high-strength steel to withstand extreme temperatures and provide a secure grip on heavy or irregularly shaped objects. Foundry tongs are not used in school laboratories because they are designed for industrial settings involving high temperatures and molten metals.
Beaker Tongs Vs Crucible Tongs
Hopefully, you now have a clear understanding of the difference between crucible tongs and beaker tongs—two of the most commonly used tongs in the laboratory. However, if you’ve skipped the previous sections and are only interested in their differences, here’s a comprehensive comparison.
While both are designed for gripping and transferring heated items, they serve distinct purposes and have unique features. The table below outlines the key differences between beaker tongs and crucible tongs, helping to clarify their specific roles in a laboratory setting.
| Feature | Beaker Tongs | Crucible Tongs |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Designed to hold and transport hot beakers | Designed to handle hot crucibles, lids, and other small laboratory items |
| Grip Design | Has rubber-coated or plastic-coated ends for a better grip on glass beakers | Typically made of metal with pointed, curved, or flat gripping ends to securely hold crucibles |
| Material | Usually made of metal with rubber/plastic coating on the ends | Made entirely of metal (stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, etc.) |
| Shape | Scissor-like structure with wide, circular gripping ends to fit around a beaker | Narrower, more precise gripping tips for handling small crucibles |
| Heat Resistance | Can withstand moderate heat but the coating may melt at very high temperatures | Fully metal, so it can withstand extremely high temperatures, such as those in a Bunsen burner flame |
| Usage Limitation | Not suitable for handling objects in direct flame due to rubber/plastic coating | Can handle objects exposed to direct flame or extreme heat |
| Typical Laboratory Use | Moving hot beakers containing liquids | Holding and transferring hot crucibles, evaporating dishes, or small metal objects |
Tongs vs Forceps
If you’ve been following along, I hope you now understand the difference between tongs and forceps. However, if you’ve skipped the previous sections and are only interested in their differences, here’s a comprehensive comparison.
| Feature | Tongs | Forceps |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A gripping tool used to handle hot, hazardous, or delicate objects in a laboratory or industrial setting. | A small tweezer-like tool used for precise handling of tiny objects, often in medical or scientific applications. |
| Design | Usually larger, with scissor-like or clamp-like handles and gripping ends. | Smaller and designed like tweezers with fine, pointed, or flat tips. |
| Material | Made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) or metal with rubber coatings for grip and heat resistance. | Typically made of stainless steel or plastic, depending on the application. |
| Purpose | Used to hold, grip, or transfer hot or hazardous materials like beakers, crucibles, or test tubes. | Used for handling small specimens, delicate tissues, or fine materials in labs and medical fields. |
| Common Uses | Handling heated glassware, transferring lab equipment, gripping crucibles, and securing test tubes. | Picking up small solid materials, handling biological specimens, or placing tiny objects in precise locations. |
| Size | Generally larger and bulkier. | Small and lightweight for precision work. |
| Flexibility | Stiffer, designed for firm gripping of larger objects. | More flexible, designed for fine, precise movements. |
| Used In | Laboratories, foundries, chemistry labs, and industrial settings. | Mainly used in medical labs, biology labs, surgeries, and microscopy work. |
Safety Guidelines for Using Tongs in the Lab
When using tongs in the lab, it is essential to follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure proper handling of heated or hazardous materials:
- Choose the Right Tongs: Always use the appropriate type of tongs for the task, such as beaker tongs for beakers, crucible tongs for crucibles, and test tube tongs for test tubes.
- Inspect Before Use: Check for any damage, rust, or loose parts before using tongs to handle hot or hazardous materials.
- Proper Handling: Hold tongs securely and grip objects firmly to prevent slipping or accidental spills. Avoid using excessive force.
- Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep your hands and body away from open flames, hot surfaces, and chemical reactions when using tongs.
- Handle Hot Objects with Caution: Allow heated objects to cool slightly before transferring them, and avoid placing hot items on cold or wet surfaces to prevent breakage.
- Keep Tongs Clean and Dry: Wipe off any chemical residues after use and ensure tongs are completely dry before handling heated objects to avoid steam burns.
- Store Properly: Place tongs in a designated storage area after use to prevent damage and contamination. Do not leave tongs near open flames or in chemical spills when not in use.
Apart from these safety tips, strive to adhere to all other laboratory safety rules. Check this post for a quick overview of the basic lab safety rules for students.
