Finding Your Perfect Match: The AquaLab Water Activity Range Explained
When it comes to food safety, shelf-life, and quality control, measuring water activity (aw) isn't just a regulatory checkbox—it is the secret to protecting your product's integrity and maximising your profits. But with multiple instruments on the market, how do you know which meter fits your specific laboratory or production floor setup?
At Graintec Scientific, we bring you the industry-leading AquaLab range. To help you cut through the technical noise, we’ve broken down the four flagship models so you can easily spot the right tool for your operational needs.
The AquaLab Lineup at a Glance
Whether you need to test samples out in the paddock, require a robust benchtop workhorse, or are dealing with tricky volatile ingredients, there is a specialised sensor technology tailored for your workflow.
| Specification | PAWKIT | PRE | 4TE | TDL II |
| Instrument Type |
Portable |
Benchtop |
Advanced Benchtop |
Volatile Sample Benchtop |
| Technology |
Capacitance Sensor |
Chilled Mirror |
Chilled Mirror |
Tunable Diode Laser |
| Water Activity Range |
0.00 - 1.00 aw
|
0.05 - 1.00 aw
|
0.03 - 1.00 aw
|
$0.03 - 1.00 aw
|
| Accuracy |
± 0.02 aw
|
± 0.01 aw
|
± 0.003 aw
|
± 0.005 aw
|
| Resolution |
0.01 aw
|
0.001 aw
|
0.0001 aw
|
0.0001 aw
|
| Typical Read Time |
< 5 min
|
< 5 min
|
< 5 min
|
< 5 min
|
| Temperature Control |
No |
Fixed $25°C
|
Adjustable $15 - 50°C
|
Adjustable $15 - 50°C
|
| Volatile Samples |
Limited |
Not Recommended |
Not Recommended |
Excellent |
| PC / Software Connectivity |
No |
Optional |
Yes |
Yes |
Breaking Down the Models: Which One Are You?
The On-The-Go Tester: PAWKIT
If you need to make rapid, directional decisions directly on the production floor or out in the field, the PAWKIT is your pocket-sized partner. Utilising a lightweight capacitance sensor, it delivers a rapid read time under 5 minutes. While it lacks internal temperature control or software data logging, its portability makes it a highly convenient, reliable tool for swift spot-checks down to ± 0.02 aw accuracy.
The Essential Benchtop: PRE
Looking for fundamental laboratory accuracy without the complex extras? The PRE uses premium chilled mirror dew point technology to offer an enhanced accuracy of ±0.01 aw. It features a fixed temperature control strictly locked at 25°C to maintain stable testing conditions, with the added flexibility of optional software connectivity if you choose to upgrade your data tracking later.
The Gold Standard: 4TE
When absolute precision is non-negotiable for research, development, or strict quality compliance, the 4TE is the undisputed heavy hitter. Boasting a spectacular resolution of 0.0001 aw and a razor-thin accuracy of ± 0.003 aw, it gives you complete data mastery with seamless PC software integration. Crucially, its adjustable internal temperature control 15 - 50°C lets you analyse exactly how your products behave under varying environmental conditions.
The Volatiles Specialist: TDL II
If your products contain alcohol, flavorings, essential oils, or spices, standard chilled mirror sensors can easily become contaminated by the escaping vapors. Enter the TDL II. By leveraging a cutting-edge Tunable Diode Laser, it emits a precise beam of light tuned exclusively to detect water molecules. This completely isolates volatile interference, yielding an excellent, hyper-accurate performance ± 0.005 aw on your most challenging sample matrices.
Ready to Upgrade Your Lab?
Every unit in the AquaLab range delivers results in under 5 minutes, meaning you never have to sit around waiting to clear a batch for release.
If you want to take a closer look at these specifications or find out which model integrates seamlessly into your facility's daily workflow, reach out to our team at Graintec Scientific today. Let's make your moisture analysis precise, fast, and effortless!