| An autoclave is the most effective way of sterilizing | | | | rolled in brown paper, which is then stapled to secure it. |
| medical and scientific equipment. While simple boiling in | | | | Step 4 Close the door of the autoclave and press |
| water at normal pressure kills most microbes and | | | | down on the long handle to latch it securely. |
| spores, it won't kill them all. An autoclave pressurizes | | | | Step 5 Toggle the exhaust switch, located at the top |
| the water to 1 atmosphere or 15 pounds per square | | | | middle of most machines, to slow exhaust if you are |
| inch, which in turn raises the water's boiling point. The | | | | sterilizing materials that contain water, or fast exhaust |
| autoclave then heats the water until boiling its new, | | | | for sterilizing apparatus. |
| elevated boiling temperature, at which point it is hot | | | | Step 6 Twist the timer to select the appropriate length |
| enough to kill all forms of life and thus sterilize the | | | | of sterilization time. For small-volume machines this is 15 |
| apparatus or equipment inside within 15 minutes. | | | | minutes, for machines containing over 1 liter of volume |
| Difficulty: Moderately EasyInstructionsThings You'll | | | | this is 30 minutes, and for larger machines with 1 gallon |
| Need: | | | | or more of volume you should select a 60 minute |
| Heat-resistant gloves | | | | cycle. This starts the machine. |
| Step 1 Twist the control knob for the drain valve on | | | | Step 7 Wait until the timer and pressure indicator both |
| the autoclave, usually located on the bottom front of | | | | read zero, and then open the door, taking care to keep |
| the machine, to the closed position. | | | | your hands, arms and face away from the upper |
| Step 2 Open the door on the autoclave and add hot | | | | parts of the door where steam is emerging and might |
| water in the bottom of this opening, filling it to just | | | | burn you. |
| below the front reservoir lip. On most machines this will | | | | Step 8 Remove sterilized items using sterile, heat-proof |
| take about 1 gallon of water. | | | | gloves. Pour any melted contaminated agar away |
| Step 3 Load the material to be sterilized into the shelf | | | | immediately into a biohazard container, then rinse |
| in the autoclave. Liquids in bottles should be 3/4 or less | | | | glassware with hot water. |
| full, with lids slightly loosened. Clean petri dishes should | | | | Step 9 Twist the drain valve control on the autoclave |
| be loaded in top side up, contaminated petri dishes get | | | | to the open position to empty the water. |
| loaded agar side down, and instruments should be | | | | |