Thermal bath media, which can be used to replace conventional wet media or dry solid blocks used in existing thermal baths for heating or cooling samples that impart advantageous maintenance and microbial control benefits. Thermally-conductive pellets have substantially elliptical shape, rounded edges, hardened surface, and a smooth polished finish. The small size of the thermally-conductive pellets allow for efficient thermal communication between pellets and samples. The thermally-conductive pellets may comprise a solid or hollow construction of a sufficiently thermally-conductive material with or without an antimicrobial barrier incorporated into or onto the pellets.
