AUTOCLAVE USE
©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biology and Chemistry
             University of Cincinnati Clermont College,
Batavia OH 45103
This page has been accessed Counter times since 11 July 2001.

Pasteur showed that once a medium is sterilized, it will remain sterile until contaminated by microorganisms (i.e., they do not appear by spontaneous generation.). Heating is one of the most convenient methods for sterilization. Simple boiling at 100°C, however, is not completely effective for sterilization because many spores can survive this temperature. However, the boiling point of water goes up when exposed to increased pressures. In a pressure cooker where the pressure is 15 pounds/sq inch (1 atmosphere) above standard pressure (760 mm Hg), water boils at 121°C. This temperature kills all life forms in 15 minutes or less. These conditions have become the standard for sterilizing apparatus or small volumes of liquid: i.e., treat over boiling water at 15 pounds pressure for 15 minutes (commonly called "15 pounds for 15 minutes").

An autoclave is a piece of laboratory apparatus which acts as an automated pressure cooker. The conditions inside are thermostatically controlled so that heat is applied until 121C is achieved, at which time the timer starts, and the temperature is maintained for the selected time.  Here is the cluster of dials and gauges which regulate its use.
 

ILLUSTRATE THE AUTOCLAVE, LABEL THESE PARTS:


 
drain valve *
drain pipe
water level		 door
door latch
slow/fast exhaust*		 timer*
pressure indicator*
temperature indicator*

* (Enter the appropriate settings or numbers on the dials for the beginning of the timing segment when autoclaving media)


 

USING THE AUTOCLAVE:

  1. Close drain valve.
  2. Pour 4 L (1 gallon) of hot water into the bottom of autoclave
  3. Load material to be autoclaved, following the appropriate protocol for type of material being sterilized. **
  4. Close door, latch securely by pressing down firmly.
  5. Select appropriate exhaust: slow for water-containing materials, fast for apparatus.
  6. Select the time of treatment (15 minutes for small volumes. For containers containing volumes over 1 liter: 30 minutes, over a gallon: 60 minutes.) This begins the cycle.
  7. After sterilization, when pressure has returned to zero, open up the door with care--the steam will burn your hands or wrists if they are above the door.
  8. Remove hot items with the aid of gloves, pour out any melted contaminated agar immediately and rinse glassware in hot water.
  9. Open drain valve to empty water in bottom of autoclave (make sure drain is in proper position).


**Use the following procedure for the listed class of materials being autoclaves:


 
liquids in bottles 3/4ths filled, caps on slightly loosened.
clean petri dishes top side up, in can if desired.
apparatus wrap in brown paper, fold over edges, staple to hold.
contaminated petri dishes agar side down, in pan if plastic.
     Do not load tall bottles near the front of the autoclave, the door hits them.