Steam is the gaseous form of water. If it is to sterilize effectively, which means killing all spores:
• It must be at an appropriate temperature (which implies an appropriate pressure).
• It must be saturated with steam.
• Thus not be mixed with air, so it must displace all the air in the chamber of the autoclave.
• And, it must reach all parts of the load. If it contains droplets of water, it will soak into porous materials.
If no air is discharged, the bottom of the chamber may be much cooler than the top.
As soon as the chamber of an autoclave is full of steam at the desired temperature and pressure, it must be held there for a critical time—the holding time. The standard holding time is 15 minutes, at 121 degree C, but you may need to vary it.
Single walled autoclaves are strong metal chambers with water in the bottom, like large pressure cookers. They have several disadvantages.
This is by far the most efficient method of sterilization for materials that will stand up to heat and moisture.
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