An oil bath is a laboratory heating device which uses boiling oil as the temperature regulator. Since different oils have different boiling points it is possible to obtain a temperature near to the desired temperature by selecting an oil with a boiling point as close as possible to the desired temperature.
An oil bath is essentially a container of oil heated by a hot plate, open flame or other heat source.
Another use of an oil bath is to filter particulates out of air, by leading the air stream through an (unheated) oil bath. This type of air filter was used in car engines, but has been replaced by modern paper air filters.
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Famous quotes containing the words oil and/or bath:
“Courage, determination, and hard work are all very nice, but not so nice as an oil well in the back yard.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“For a parent, it’s hard to recognize the significance of your work when you’re immersed in the mundane details. Few of us, as we run the bath water or spread the peanut butter on the bread, proclaim proudly, “I’m making my contribution to the future of the planet.” But with the exception of global hunger, few jobs in the world of paychecks and promotions compare in significance to the job of parent.”
—Joyce Maynard (20th century)