In the laboratory, the autoclave is a “superhero” for disinfection and sterilization. However, despite its effectiveness, it can easily “fail” if operated improperly! Today, we’re going to break down those common incorrect operations—so be sure not to step on these “minefields”!
1. “Disordered piling” of items to be sterilized
Many people in order to save trouble, stuff all items to be sterilized into the autoclave at once, without considering the spatial layout at all, leading to overloading for sterilization. This is a big no-no! Sufficient gaps must be left between items to allow steam to circulate fully. When stacked test tubes and petri dishes block steam flow, the temperature at the center may drop as low as 80°C. Uneven steam penetration will greatly reduce the sterilization effect, allowing bacteria to “survive”.
2. “Is 121℃/15min a ‘panacea’ for sterilization?”
Different materials have vastly different temperature tolerances! For sugar-containing culture media, a temperature of 115℃ is recommended (to avoid scorching). Different items and materials have strict requirements for sterilization temperature and duration. If the duration is too short, bacteria will not be completely eliminated; if it is too long, the items may be damaged, and harmful substances may even be produced. You must strictly follow the instruction manual and never operate based on intuition.
3. Neglecting “cold air discharge”
Before sterilization, it is essential to completely expel the cold air inside the autoclave. This is because cold air can impair the penetration of steam, resulting in incomplete sterilization. If you find that the cold air is not discharged smoothly, be sure to check in a timely manner whether the exhaust vent is blocked—don’t give bacteria an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
4. Autoclave operating “with faults”
An autoclave also has a “service life”. If you find that the sealing ring is aged, the pressure gauge is inaccurate, or there is a problem with the valve, never force it to operate. Timely maintenance and replacement of parts are essential to ensure the autoclave works normally and avoid potential safety hazards.
5. Neglecting regular maintenance and cleaning
If an autoclave is not maintained for a long period of time, its performance will gradually deteriorate. Issues such as aging sealing rings, malfunctioning pressure gauges, and clogged drain holes will all affect the sterilization effect and may even lead to equipment failure. Meanwhile, if the water in the sterilization chamber is reused repeatedly over a long time, it is prone to accumulating dirt, which can block the solenoid valve and even cause the heating tube to rust and be damaged.
It is recommended to change the water at least once a week; if the items to be sterilized contain mild corrosive substances, it is advisable to change the water once a day. Meanwhile, the sterilization chamber needs to be cleaned regularly to remove scale and debris.
The autoclave is our reliable assistant, but great caution must be exercised during operation. Do not let these common mistakes ruin its “sterilization capability”. Safety first and standardized operation are the keys to ensuring the sterilization work is flawless!
ZEALWAY provides quality autoclaves, full services and professional sterilization solutions for you.
Leave a Reply