Pipette Pre-Operation Preparations (Part 1)

Inaccurate pipetting is one of the most common sources of laboratory error—especially in pharmaceutical and analytical environments. However, many issues originate from improper preparation before aspiration even begins.

What Are Pre-Operation Preparations for Pipettes

Pre-operation preparation refers to the critical steps performed before liquid aspiration to ensure the pipette operates without air interference and delivers accurate volumes.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Pre-wet the tip
Before aspirating, aspirate and dispense the liquid three times continuously. This ensures the tip is fully wetted and eliminates air inside the pipette chamber.

2. Smooth aspiration
Press the plunger slowly and evenly to the first stop before aspirating.

3. Vertical immersion
Insert the pipette vertically into the liquid.

4. Control immersion depth
The immersion depth should be adjusted based on the tip size and liquid volume.

5. Quality check
After aspiration, hold the pipette still. No dripping within 15 seconds indicates proper operation.

Before using a pipette, proper preparation is essential to ensure accurate liquid handling. Start by pre-wetting the tip through three cycles of aspiration and dispensing to eliminate air inside the system. During aspiration, press the plunger smoothly to the first stop and keep the pipette vertical when immersing it into the liquid. The immersion depth should be adjusted depending on the tip size and liquid volume. After aspirating, hold the pipette still and check for dripping—if no liquid drips within 15 seconds, the operation is considered reliable. These simple but critical steps significantly improve pipetting accuracy and consistency in laboratory workflows.