gauze mats with solid centre

[RosalieL]

This may be a really obvious answer, but why do some gauze mats have a solid centre? It's a white circle... What are they used for?

[Anna Z]

heat distribution is my guess, so you don't have direct flame on glass.. but don't know for sure

[Merilyn1]

Think that's it. There was some problem a few years ago with these types of mats containing asbestos but any you purchase now would be fine. I've never had any experience with them to know if they last longer, work better etc.

[RosalieL]

Yeah, I thought the point of the gauze mat itself was for heat distribution... I could only think if it was something that needed a gentler heat.... We have a heap of them in a box, brand new. I also have new normal mats coming soon. Maybe I can get the teachers to do an experiment with half the class boiling water with a normal gauze mat and the other half using the solid centre mat and see what happens!

[mtg]

To stop the beaker going black, and to distribute the heat nicely. The "new" ones fall apart more quickly in my experience. They are also nice and stable.

[Anna Z]

We have a mix in our labs... kids just grab randomly. Have never had a teacher ask for one or the other.

[RosalieL]

We have a mix in our labs... kids just grab randomly. Have never had a teacher ask for one or the other.

Good to know!

And thanks everyone! I will keep the box of new ones with the solid bit and use them as the others get destroyed.