The cultivation of microorganisms in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere typically takes place using anaerobic jars, an anaerobic glove cabinet or a CO₂ incubator. These conventional methods are marred by many disadvantages, including late discovery of faulty jars or gas packs, slow anaerobiosis and chemical waste.

The massive space-occupying chambers (anaerobic cabinets or CO₂ incubators) with fixed environments consume huge quantities of gas (requiring correspondingly large gas cylinders to keep them running). Servicing is costly and inconvenient. Added to this, they are incapable of cultivating micro-aerophilic and anaerobic organisms at the same time, thus denying laboratories vital flexibility. The Anoxomat has been designed to cope with many shortcomings. It offers an alternative to these methods, using the evacuation and replacement method of MacIntosh & Fildes, to create regular or user defined atmospheres in an anaerobic jar. The benefits of this method can be viewed under About the choice of this method. The benefits of using jars can be viewed under About the use of jars. Originally, the Anoxomat was designed to fit into what is called the "Anaerobic Culture Chain" in medical research, where the system was used to culture samples of patients for diagnostic purposes and to test inhibitory properties of antibiotics. Over the years, others also became aware of the advantages and efficiency of the Anoxomat, which has now found widespread application in a great many sectors. Apart from regional healthcare laboratories, microbiological departments of laboratories in hospitals, universities, veterinary institutes and the biotechnological sector, the systems are also used in the pharmaceutical and petrochemical industry. Food, beverage and water companies also have a special interest in the Anoxomat, as some pathogenic bacteria are anaerobic or micro-aerophilic. General advantages of the system can be viewed under Benefits.