The B4000-M is the BioClave Mini, the smallest research-grade autoclave in the Benchmark Scientific BioClave family, sold at $5,453. Operates at standard 121 °C steam-sterilization conditions with pressurized steam delivery for validated sterility workflows: media sterilization, glassware sterilization, biohazard waste decontamination, and other workflows requiring kill-curve-validated sterility (vs the research-grade UV-C surface decontamination of the UV Clave family). Requires 200–240 V dedicated electrical service, a meaningful facility-planning consideration vs the universal-input bench equipment in the rest of the Benchmark Scientific catalog.
Author confidence note (MEDIUM): No specific B4000-M brochure in available corpus. Specs sourced from universe label. Confirm exact chamber dimensions, sterilization cycle parameters (temperature / pressure / time), water consumption, vacuum-cycle capability, and regulatory compliance (FDA / GLP / ISO) with Benchmark Scientific technical support at first procurement.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| SKU | B4000-M |
| Type | Research-grade benchtop autoclave (smallest in BioClave family) |
| Sterilization mechanism | Pressurized steam at 121 °C (standard validated sterility cycle) |
| Voltage | 200–240 V only (NO 115 V variant) |
| Plug type | US plug for 200–240 V circuits (NEMA 6-15 or similar; confirm at order) |
| Sister capacity SKUs | B4000-18 (18 L, $7,545), B4000-28 (28 L, $13,895) |
| Compatible accessories | B4000-P (printer for cycle data logging, $387), B4000-PA (printer paper, $52), B4000-PM-KIT (preventative maintenance kit, $100) |
| List price | $5,453 |
| Safety flag | High-pressure steam hazard + thermal hazard (121 °C) |
Why a Validated Autoclave: Sterility-Required Workflows
The BioClave family delivers kill-curve-validated sterility via pressurized steam, the gold-standard sterilization modality for workflows requiring documented sterility: cell-culture media sterilization, glassware sterilization (bottles, flasks, pipettes, and instruments before use), BSL2 / BSL2+ biohazard waste decontamination before disposal, media-prep sterility for molecular biology and microbiology plating, and pharmaceutical or clinical workflows requiring documented sterility for downstream use.
Compared to other Benchmark Scientific decontamination / sterilization technologies:
| Modality | Validated sterility | Best for |
| BioClave autoclave (this family) | Yes: kill-curve validated | Sterility-required workflows |
| UV Clave UV-C chamber (B1450 family) | No (research-grade decontamination only) | Heat-sensitive items |
| BactiZapper microsterilizer (B1000 family) | Inoculation tools only | Loop / wire sterilization |
| Glass-bead sterilizer (B1201 family) | Inoculation tools only | Loop / wire sterilization (lower temperature) |
Pick the BioClave Mini (B4000-M) when:
- Workflow requires validated sterility for media / glassware / instrument sterilization
- Bench-top autoclave at the smallest practical capacity matches workflow throughput
- 200–240 V dedicated circuit is available at the installation site
- Cost-optimized procurement within the BioClave family. Mini is the smallest / lowest-priced of the three sizes
Step up to B4000-18 (18 L, $7,545) for standard mid-throughput workflows.
Step up to B4000-28 (28 L, $13,895) for production-scale workflows at the largest BioClave capacity.
BioClave Family: Capacity Comparison
| SKU | Capacity | Voltage | List price |
| B4000-M (this product) | Mini (smallest) | 200–240 V | $5,453 |
| B4000-18 | 18 L | 115 V or 230 V | $7,545 |
| B4000-28-120 / B4000-28-220 | 28 L | 115 V or 230 V | $13,895 |
The Mini is 200–240 V only, distinct from the larger 18 L / 28 L sisters which offer 115 V variants. Confirm electrical service availability at facility installation site.
Application Profile
Cell-culture media sterilization. Sterile media prep for downstream cell-culture workflows.
Glassware sterilization. Bottles, flasks, pipettes, instrument sterilization at small-batch scale.
Biohazard waste decontamination. BSL2 / BSL2+ biohazard waste autoclave-decontamination before disposal.
Media-prep sterility. Agar plates, broth media, molecular biology media at small-batch prep.
Pharmaceutical / clinical workflows. Small-batch sterilization for clinical / pharmaceutical research workflows.
Educational laboratory teaching. Undergraduate / graduate microbiology / molecular biology coursework introducing autoclave fundamentals.
Field-deployment / mobile-lab kits. Small-footprint autoclave for portable lab installations (where 200–240 V service is available).
Multi-investigator shared bench. Single-investigator dedicated autoclave at the smallest practical capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What voltage does the BioClave Mini require? 200–240 V only. There is no 115 V variant, since autoclave steam-generation duty typically exceeds a 115 V US circuit's capacity. Most US labs will need electrical work to install a 200–240 V outlet at the bench.
What is the sterilization mechanism? Pressurized steam at 121 °C, delivering kill-curve-validated sterility. Note the high-pressure steam and thermal (121 °C) hazards.
How does the Mini compare to the larger BioClaves? It is the smallest and lowest-priced of the three ($5,453). The B4000-18 (18 L, $7,545) and B4000-28 (28 L, $13,895) offer larger chambers and 115 V variants.
How is a BioClave autoclave different from the UV Clave? The BioClave provides kill-curve-validated sterility via steam. The UV Clave (B1450 family) is research-grade UV-C surface decontamination for heat-sensitive items and does not provide validated sterility.
What accessories are available? The B4000-P printer for cycle-data logging ($387), B4000-PA printer paper ($52), and the B4000-PM-KIT preventative-maintenance kit ($100).
Ordering & Configuration
Confirm 200–240 V dedicated circuit availability. The BioClave Mini requires 200–240 V dedicated electrical service. Most US labs have 115 V standard wall outlets. Installing the BioClave Mini may require electrical work to install a 200–240 V outlet at the bench. Confirm electrical infrastructure with facility services before procurement.
Confirm water source and drainage. Autoclaves consume water for steam generation; confirm water supply and drainage planning at order.
Confirm regulatory compliance requirements. Some workflows require FDA / GLP / ISO 17025 / GMP-compliant sterilization with documented cycle records. Confirm whether the BioClave Mini supports compliance documentation via the optional B4000-P printer ($387) and whether facility quality requirements are met.
Confirm chamber dimensions vs item-load sizing. The Mini chamber is the smallest in the family. Confirm largest routine item fits the chamber.
Plan preventative maintenance schedule. Autoclaves require periodic preventative maintenance (door-seal replacement, valve service, calibration). Pair with B4000-PM-KIT ($100) for routine maintenance and confirm door-seal procurement separately (not included in PM kit per universe label).
Confirm at quote: voltage / electrical service confirmation, water supply / drainage planning, regulatory compliance requirements (printer pairing), chamber-load sizing, preventative maintenance plan, training, warranty, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Benchmark Scientific standard capital-equipment terms. Confirm at quote.
Safety note: the BioClave Mini operates with pressurized steam at 121 °C+, high-pressure steam release / thermal-burn hazards. Confirm operator safety training, PPE (heat-resistant gloves, face shield) at every operating cycle, door-interlock verification before unloading, and post-cycle pressure-equalization protocol. Annual safety inspection per facility safety standards.
BioClave family. Pick the right size:
- B4000-M (this product): Mini ($5,453), smallest capacity, 200–240 V only
- B4000-18 (18 L ($7,545)) standard mid-throughput
- B4000-28-120 / -220 (28 L ($13,895)) production-scale
Pick the BioClave Mini for small-batch sterility workflows on a 200–240 V circuit; sister sizes cover larger throughput. See sister B1450 UV Clave family for research-grade UV-C surface decontamination of heat-sensitive items.
