Muffle furnaces are well-suited for ashing because they can reach high temperatures up to 1200°C, which is necessary to completely burn off the organic material. The temperature in the furnace can be tightly controlled and maintained, which ensures consistent results and reduces the likelihood of sample contamination. The muffle furnace also protects the sample from direct contact with the heating element, reducing the risk of contamination of the heating elements.

In addition, muffle furnaces are often equipped with ventilation systems that help to remove the volatile components produced during the ashing process, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. This helps to ensure that the inorganic residue is accurately measured and not affected by residual gases from the combustion.

Muffle furnaces are also relatively easy to operate and require minimal maintenance, making them an ideal tool for ashing in laboratories. The samples can be loaded into the furnace and the temperature can be set and controlled with a digital temperature controller. Once the ashing process is complete, the residue can be easily removed from the furnace.