Thermo Fisher Cell Culture Utensils (Nunc): Scrapers, Lifters & Spreaders

This page brings together Thermo Fisher cell culture utensils designed for hands-on tasks like harvesting adherent cells, plating on agar, and clonal isolation. As a distributor, Iright helps you source a broad range of Thermo Scientific™/Nunc™ tools with compliant documentation and flexible procurement.

Why this matters
Choosing the right utensil improves reproducibility, protects sensitive cell lines, and speeds routine handling across flasks, dishes, and multiwell plates. Here you’ll find product types, selection guidance, mini workflows, and a short list of popular SKUs for quick purchasing.

What Are Cell Culture Utensils & When to Use Them

Cell culture utensils are sterile, single-use tools that bridge your technique and cultureware. Use them to mechanically detach adherent layers, collect lysates, evenly spread cells on agar, or isolate colonies—common prep steps before counting, cloning, or downstream assays.

In Thermo Fisher’s catalog, this group includes cell scrapers (for mechanical harvest), cell lifters (for quick removal of layers/lysates), and sterile colony spreaders (for even plating). Each is offered with dimensions and sterility levels suited to typical culture vessels.

Thermo Scientific (Nunc) Types: Cell Scrapers, Lifters & Colony Spreaders

Across the Nunc and Fisherbrand ranges, you’ll find purpose-built designs that match vessel geometry and technique. Start with your primary task—harvesting, lifting, or plating—then choose dimensions and packaging that fit your bench workflow and contamination controls.

Cell Scrapers (Nunc)
Nunc™ Cell Scrapers feature an adjustable, pivoting blade; they’re sterile and nonpyrogenic, offered in 23 cm and 32 cm handle lengths to reach flasks, dishes, and deep vessels. The wider blade helps efficient harvesting around edges and narrow necks.

Cell Lifters (Fisherbrand)
Disposable cell lifters have a wide beveled/chiseled edge to quickly remove cell layers or collect lysates from dishes and clusters; they are individually wrapped and sterile for aseptic handling.

Sterile Colony Spreaders (Thermo Scientific)
For plating or clonal work on agar, sterile colony spreaders are individually wrapped—ideal for even distribution across petri surfaces and for workflows that require consistent spread without cross-contamination.

Comparison snapshot (key buying signals)

• Tool type → Primary use → Sterility/pack → Typical dimensions → Notes

• Nunc Cell Scraper → Mechanical harvest of adherent cells → Sterile; case/pack options → 23 cm or 32 cm handle; ~17.5 mm blade width → Adjustable blade pivots for angles.

• Fisherbrand Cell Lifter → Quick layer/lysate removal → Sterile; individually wrapped → ~17–18 cm handle; beveled edge → One-piece design offers control.

• Thermo Sterile Colony Spreader → Even plating on agar → Sterile; 100/pk; individually wrapped → Flat head for uniform spread → Manufactured by TSC; single-use.

How to Choose: Match the Utensil to Your Flask, Dish, or Plate

Selection starts with vessel geometry and cell sensitivity. For deep flasks or large growth areas, longer handles and wider blades improve reach and coverage; for delicate layers, a beveled lifter can be gentler than a scraper, while spreaders standardize plating on agar.

Practical fit rules (quick guidance)

• T-flasks/straight-necked flasks (75–175 cm²): Choose Nunc Cell Scraper 32 cm (179707) for reach; pivot the blade to “wiper” or “hoe” positions for edges. 23 cm (179693) suits 25–80 cm² flasks.

• Standard dishes & multiwell plates: Prefer cell lifters to remove layers with less shear; the beveled edge helps control contact across flat surfaces. 

• Agar plates (plating/cloning): Use sterile colony spreaders (R4853000) to distribute suspensions evenly over the surface for reproducible colony formation.

Dimension cues

• Handle length: 23 cm vs 32 cm affects reach and leverage in taller or larger vessels.

• Blade width (~17.5 mm for Nunc scrapers): Wider heads accelerate coverage; confirm fit with vessel area to avoid multiple passes.

Sterility & Surfaces: Aseptic Handling with Nunc Utensils

Consistency hinges on pairing sterile tools with the right culture surfaces. Nunc scrapers are sterile and nonpyrogenic; most utensil lines ship individually wrapped to support aseptic technique. Check certificates and documents on product pages for compliance needs.

If you work with Nunclon™ Delta–treated plastics or other specialized surfaces, maintain gentle contact angles and minimize scraping force to preserve surface performance. For ultra-delicate detachment, a lifters-first approach may reduce mechanical stress.

Popular Mini Workflows: Harvesting, Plating & Clonal Isolation

The steps below are common patterns you can adapt to your SOPs. They help new users standardize results and reduce variability. Always align with your lab’s sterility practices and assay requirements.

Adherent cell harvest with a Nunc scraper (outline)
Rinse → add buffer/solution per protocol → angle the adjustable blade to sweep cell sheets toward one side → collect into tubes for downstream processing. Choose 32 cm for larger flasks and improved leverage.

Layer or lysate collection with a lifter
Open a sterile, individually wrapped lifter; use the beveled, chiseled edge to gently lift the layer in smooth strokes; transfer promptly to reduce dwell time at room temperature.

Even plating on agar with a colony spreader
Pipette suspension onto the plate; use a sterile, individually wrapped spreader to distribute the liquid evenly across the surface; allow brief absorption/drying before incubation.

FAQs: Cell Scrapers, Lifters, Spreaders & Strainers

These quick answers reduce guesswork and help you place the right SKU in fewer clicks. For full details, refer to each product’s “Specifications” and “Documents” tabs. 

Q1. Are Nunc Cell Scrapers adjustable?
Yes. The blade pivots to multiple angles, enabling “wiper” or “hoe” motions and efficient scraping at edges or odd angles.

Q2. What handle lengths are available? Which vessels match each length?
Scrapers come in 23 cm and 32 cm handles. Thermo Fisher suggests 23 cm for 25–80 cm² flasks and 32 cm for 75–175 cm² flasks.

Q3. What’s the typical scraper blade width?
Around 17.5 mm (see Fisher Scientific specs for the 23 cm model). Verify on the product page for your exact option. 

Q4. Are spreaders and lifters individually wrapped?
Yes—Thermo Scientific sterile colony spreaders are individually wrapped, and Fisherbrand lifters are sterilized and individually wrapped. 

Q5. Where do I find COA/sterility statements and SDS?
Open the Documents/Certificates section on each item’s page (e.g., Nunc Cell Scrapers and Colony Spreaders) to download COA or declarations.

Talk to Iright

Working on a new SOP or scaling a routine workflow? Iright can help you select utensil types, confirm documentation, and coordinate inventory. Send us your vessel types, target steps, and preferred pack sizes—we’ll match SKUs and share lead times to keep your bench moving.

Popular SKUs (quick order)

• 179693 – Nunc™ Cell Scraper, 23 cm handle (sterile; adjustable blade; case/pack options) — ideal for 25–80 cm² flasks.

• 179707 – Nunc™ Cell Scraper, 32 cm handle (sterile; adjustable blade) — recommended for 75–175 cm² flasks.

• R4853000 – Thermo Scientific™ Sterile Colony Spreader, 100/pk, individually wrapped. 

• 08100240 – Fisherbrand™ Cell Lifters, sterile, individually wrapped (polyethylene).