Australia's Science Forum

Hi folks, I may need to retract that last request, as I have found some threads on making plates.
Cheers,

Hi Sue,
It's Autoclave tape.
It has stripes on it that turn black when the item reaches the proper sterilisation point.
Lou.

To make agar plates using a microwave, I put the ingredients into a glas Schott bottle, and microwave on full power for 8-10 mins... then pour into sterile petri dishes as usual..
To 'kill' used plates.. I put the plates into 2 oven bags, sealed separately, then microwave on high for 8-10 mins..
It is so much fun as the plates pop and carry on and they all melt and go wierd shapes....

Does any one use autoclave tape in their microwave????????? Perhaps the tape we have here is too old????????

I was just having a discussion with my teachers regarding why the oven bags don't explode when you seal them and heat them in a microwave. None of us could really work it out. There is probably a really simple explanation, does anyone out there in labbieland know why they don't?

That is actually interesting isn't it. Especially when you consider that when using the glad bags in an oven you have to add flour and leave the bag tied loose so the steam can escape. I read somewhere that they are heat resistant up to 200 deg so maybe the microwave doesn't get that hot.
I also wouldn't be standing too close to the vents of the microwave just in case some of the air/steam coming out has some of the bacteria etc in it that you are trying to sterilise.

Another thing, I got on to a place in WA and have just ordered a pressure cooker for the lab, with postage and a second hand $5 trivot to go in the bottom it cost me $212. They are very helpful and took the time to talk with me about what was best suited to sterilise and how to use the pressure cooker. They have a contact no.1800 266 069 or pressurecooker.com.au if anyone else needs one. I compared prices and they seem to be the best even having to get it posted.
Cheers Estelle