Materials and recipes

Fluid Measurements

Micropipettors

These are delicate (and expensive) instruments that require care and maintenance.   They should be checked for accuracy frequently. Common manufacturers are Eppendorf and   Gilson  (Pipetman). Only the use of Pipetman is described here; other brands are similar.

P1000

The names are on the end of the plunger.

The other

There are numbers on the dial which indicate the volume measured. The dial should never be turned beyond the range of the pipettor and a pipettor should not be used outside of its range (listed above). For example, it is inappropriate to use a P200 to measure 17 µL or a P1000 to measure 150 µL. The format of the numbers is different on the three different pipettors, so may be somewhat confusing. Compare the tables below to the device and arrive at a set of working rules for dialing volumes for yourself.  Review the Metric system before you start if necessary.

On a P20, the following settings indicate the volumes shown:

1 µL

10 µL

15 µL

20.5µL

20 µL

45 µL

120 µL

200 µL

220 µL

0.5 ml

720 µL

  1 ml