A muffle furnace has separate combustion and heating chambers. This means the gases, ash and residue of combustion do not contaminate the heated material. Often used in scientific research, the muffle furnace allows the study of heated materials without inclusion of outside materials from the combustion process. The design of the furnace allows you to maintain high heat levels for long periods. Most laboratory-sized muffle furnaces are now electrically powered.
(Keith Allen contributed to this article.)
