AUTOCLAVE

The B-A-L uses a presure cooker as an autoclave.

This is a process required to sterilise equipment and as part of protocols. It is the surest way to kill bacteria and other unwanted biological agents.

• place pressure cooker onto the hob (the standalone hob is better suited for the pot size)
• ensure that the plate is in the bottom to raise the equipment off the floor of the pot
• full with 1L of water
• place equipment inside
• close pressure cooker and turn up heat high
• the water will start to boil and steam will begin to esacpe from the valve
• after 10 minutes or so of steam escaping the inside of the pot has turned to a hot steam environment
• drop the pressure regulator onto the valve this allows the temperature in the pot to rise from 100C to 120C (ish)
• watch the pressure and adjust heat to keep it around 15psi
• after 20/30 minutes under pressure turn off heat and allow to cool

Substance in beaker will now be sterlised meaning it can be used for plating as the only bateria that should be present is that which is introduced after this process.