ClipTip maintenance 101: How to keep your ClipTip in tip top shape

Pipetting technology is a big investment. Maybe you’ve already purchased our Thermo Scientific™ ClipTip™ Pipetting System. If so, we bet you are already feeling the difference. Perhaps, you’re still considering the purchase, but are wondering what upkeep will be like. Either way, we wanted to share some quick tips for keeping your (current or future) ClipTip Pipette in tip top shape.

First off, on a daily basis, the pipette should be checked for dust and dirt on its outside surfaces. Special attention should be paid to the tip fitting. For daily cleaning, we recommend using a napless cloth wetted with 70% ethanol. However, it is important not to spray ethanol directly on the pipette. It is also recommended that you use filter tips to avoid contamination of inner parts. With your cleaning routines, you can also check that the tip fittings are attached tightly and that the sealing rings are intact.

Second, to ensure the system is operating efficiently, it is wise to perform a leakage test regularly. What’s the best way to do that? Below are five easy-to-follow steps you can take:

Pre-wet the tip three to five times with water.
Aspirate a nominal volume of water into the tip.
Place the pipette on a stand or keep it firmly in your hand.
Wait for 20 seconds.
If a drop falls within 20 seconds, the pipette is leaking.

If you find a leak, it could be caused by too-loose tip fittings or worn sealing rings which can be tightened or changed rather easily. Other causes may be, for example, lack of grease or improper sealing of the piston which would require complete disassembly of the pipette.

Finally, periodically, your ClipTip Pipette needs to be completely disassembled in order to fully clean the system. Be sure to consult your user manual for full instructions on how to do this properly.

By following these easy steps, your ClipTip Pipetting System will stay intact and provide comfortable and accurate pipetting for years to come. Learn more about the ClipTip experience at thermofisher.com/cliptip.

If you’d like help servicing your pipette, our team is happy to help. You can work with our ULS service depots who will do the work for you. Given that E1-ClipTip pipettes are a bit more complex, we especially recommend leveraging our trained service providers to do preventive maintenance on an annual basis to ensure optimal performance.