Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a dissolution vessel removably seated within an aluminum platen. The apparatus also includes an assembly for automatically measuring a desired volume of media, heating and degassing the volume of media and then dispensing the volume of media into the dissolution vessel. In addition, the apparatus includes a carousel having a plurality of compartments, the carousel being rotatably mounted on a stage, the stage being alignable with the vessel. According to one mode of operation, an open-top, cage-type basket is placed in one or more compartments of the carousel, each basket containing a tablet intended for dissolution. The apparatus additionally includes a shaft aligned with the vessel, the bottom end of the shaft being adapted to frictionally fit together with a basket.