Wooden test tube rack and borosilicate glass test tubes - RETORT

With tubes versions include as many tubes as there are slots: 6 for the 6-slot rack, 8 for the 8-slot rack, and 12 for the 12-slot rack. Without tubes versions consist of the wood rack only, practical if you already own tubes compatible with 2.2 cm diameter holes. Finally, the No rack · 6 tubes only version allows you to purchase a set of six tubes without a rack to complete a series, replace a broken tube, or equip a second rack. All tubes are identical: borosilicate glass, round bottom, 27 ml, 12 cm long.

Each test tube has a capacity of 27 ml and a length of 12 cm. This is an ideal volume for a shooter, a small cocktail tasting, a sample of syrup or liqueur, or even a flower stem as a bud vase. In practice, to avoid spills during service, fill the tubes slightly below their maximum capacity. For an aperitif, choose a rack size suited to your number of guests: the 6-slot for an intimate gathering, the 8-slot for an aperitif with friends, and the 12-slot for a large table or buffet.

The round bottom is the classic shape for laboratory test tubes. It distributes stress better within the glass when the tube is heated or subjected to temperature changes, and it is easily cleaned, with no corners where residue could accumulate. It also allows liquid to be mixed with a simple flick of the wrist. The trade-off is that the tubes do not stand up on their own: they must be kept in the rack, where the two perforated shelves keep them perfectly upright. To clean them, a fine bottle brush perfectly reaches the rounded bottom.

The photos show the tubes used to serve shooters and cocktails, a very popular use for parties. Borosilicate glass is a material commonly used for kitchen and laboratory glassware because it is transparent, stable, and does not retain odors. However, we do not have a food-grade certification provided by the supplier: as a precaution, wash the test tubes thoroughly with warm, soapy water before the first use and between each service, then rinse well. Avoid serving boiling-hot drinks, and remember that alcohol should be consumed in moderation.

Borosilicate glass expands about three times less than ordinary glass when heated, making it more resistant to thermal shock: this is why it is used in laboratories. It withstands hot liquids or transitions from cold to warm better than standard glass. However, it is not unbreakable, and the exact tolerance of these specific tubes is not provided. We recommend moderate use: do not pour boiling liquid into a cold tube, avoid open flames without a suitable support, and do not move them directly from a freezer to hot water.

The rack and its tubes are suitable for many uses. As decor, they become a line of bud vases for a festive table or a windowsill. In the kitchen, they hold spices, colored salts, seeds, or dried herbs. At a desk or in a workshop, they organize beads, small screws, seeds, or samples. With children, they serve as a base for small scientific experiments: color mixing with food coloring, observing liquid density, or seed germination. The rack alone can also hold other tubes of an appropriate diameter.

Wash the test tubes in warm, soapy water using a fine bottle brush, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry upside down, for instance by flipping them in the rack if the rack remains dry. Avoid abrasive sponges that could scratch the glass. The wooden rack should not be soaked or put in the dishwasher: wipe it with a slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately. In case of spilled syrup or drink, clean it promptly to avoid stains or water rings. Store the set away from prolonged humidity.