Operation of Steam Sterilizer
Posted: 29 Oct 2019, 06:04
Query from a Lab Technician...
Recently purchased a new Steam sterilizer...The question I had was regarding the venting. The instructions say to vent twice yet the lab techs I have sought advice from on the LTAV forum don't vent at all - they have the vent in the open position when heating then after they have seen steam escaping for 7 mins they close it off and proceed to bringing it to the sterilisation temperature then sterilising for 35mins all which makes me wonder if they have a different version of the All American Non-electric pressure steam sterilizer (Model number 1925X, 24Litre).
Also, a clarification if I may... step 8 is "place unit on heat source. If the water you have placed in the unit is cold, it will require approximately 35 mins to bring the unit up to temperature." Then Step 9 is "Open Control Valve...". Does this mean I should wait for the pressure to build up to the sterilisation zone then open the valve or do I open the valve whilst it is heating on the hotplate and just wait for the temperature to increase enough that steam is being generated?
My other question regarding the molten agar - In my experience when rapidly decreasing the pressure from high pressure the molten agar boils over the conical flask that it is in. Is there a trick to preventing molten agar from overflowing? (other than only filling the conical flask 80% - eg 400ml in a 500ml conical flask with foil over it). Or is there some mechanism in this steriliser that safe guards against this problem (I've only used it once so far).
Suggestions welcome!!!
Recently purchased a new Steam sterilizer...The question I had was regarding the venting. The instructions say to vent twice yet the lab techs I have sought advice from on the LTAV forum don't vent at all - they have the vent in the open position when heating then after they have seen steam escaping for 7 mins they close it off and proceed to bringing it to the sterilisation temperature then sterilising for 35mins all which makes me wonder if they have a different version of the All American Non-electric pressure steam sterilizer (Model number 1925X, 24Litre).
Also, a clarification if I may... step 8 is "place unit on heat source. If the water you have placed in the unit is cold, it will require approximately 35 mins to bring the unit up to temperature." Then Step 9 is "Open Control Valve...". Does this mean I should wait for the pressure to build up to the sterilisation zone then open the valve or do I open the valve whilst it is heating on the hotplate and just wait for the temperature to increase enough that steam is being generated?
My other question regarding the molten agar - In my experience when rapidly decreasing the pressure from high pressure the molten agar boils over the conical flask that it is in. Is there a trick to preventing molten agar from overflowing? (other than only filling the conical flask 80% - eg 400ml in a 500ml conical flask with foil over it). Or is there some mechanism in this steriliser that safe guards against this problem (I've only used it once so far).
Suggestions welcome!!!