From: peter@tsto.co.uk   
      
   Round-bottomed flasks are usually used when boiling, refluxing or   
   distilling - but why?   
      
   A mantle is more expensive and less temperature uniform than a hotplate   
   or oilbath of similar cost (or even half the cost). So, why do people   
   use them?   
      
   The only reason I can find on the 'net is that round bottoms are more   
   compatible with Bunsen burners' flames.   
      
   Plus I suppose if you were doing vacuum distillation a round flask would   
   resist the vacuum better - but is this significant in normal lab sizes,   
   eg up to a litre or two?   
      
   I have a 2-litre conical Buchner flask which isn't terribly thick, but   
   which takes vacuum OK. Don't know how low it goes in normal filtering   
   use though ..   
      
   Is there any other reason?   
      
      
      
   thanks,   
      
   -- Peter F   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)