Using the Small Autoclave

*This can include sterilizing any sort of broth, including LB broth used for pouring plates

1. Make sure there is enough water in the autoclave by opening the gray lid on the top of the autoclave. If there's not enough, you may add the filtered autoclave water from the jar next to the autoclave. If you are unsure, ask a lab leader or someone else on the floor. They will be happy to help.

2. Open up the autoclave (twist the metal part and unlock it by pushing it to the left).

3. In the autoclave for liquids, you will want to use the tray without holes in it. It will be located either next to the autoclave or in the cabinet below it. Place your jar/bottle in the autoclave. If it has a lid/cap, then make sure it is not all the way screwed on (a good rule of thumb is to have it screwed on just enough to not fall off, but enough to twist off the cap with one rotation of your hand).

4. The dial on the bottom right of the autoclave has four different settings on it: 0, Fill Water, Sterilize, and EXH+Dry. These represent the process that the liquid(s) will go through while in the autoclave. First, you need to fill with water. Turn the dial to Fill Water and fill it to about the line at the front of the inside of the autoclave (it's okay if it's not exactly to the line, and it may be better to be a little under than a little over so you don't spill water out).

5. Once the water has reached the line, turn the dial to Sterilize. This will stop filling the water. Now, you may shut the door, push the handle back over to the right, and tighten it as much as you can (not a strength competition, though). The autoclave will not start sterilizing until you set the timer, so do not feel the need to rush anything. Set the temperature to 250ºF/121ºC. Then turn the timer to 30 minutes, and it will begin sterilizing.

6. The timer will ding whenever finished. Then, turn the knob to EXH+Dry. This will exhaust and dry your materials, also quickly depressurizing the chamber. It will make a loud hissing noise and steam will come out of the top. Once the pressure gauge reaches zero, you may now open the door. Your materials will be hot, so it may be best to wait a couple minutes before handling them. If you are doing something time sensitive (like making plates), then remove the bottle and place it on paper towels next to the autoclave.

7. When finished, return the dial at the bottom right to 0, move the red pressure gauge back to zero by twisting the metal knob in the middle, and return the tray to wherever you found it. Turn off the autoclave, and shut the door.

*This mostly consists of sterilizing tubes

1. Put your tubes/solids in a beaker and place foil over the top of them.

2. Make sure there is enough water in the autoclave by opening the gray lid on the top of the autoclave. If there's not enough, you may add the filtered autoclave water from the jar next to the autoclave. If you are unsure, ask a lab leader or someone else on the floor. They will be happy to help.

3. Open up the autoclave (twist the metal part and unlock it by pushing it to the left).

4. In the autoclave for solids, you may use the tray with holes in it (wire tray). It will be located either next to the autoclave or in the cabinet below it. Place your jar/bottle in the autoclave. If it has a lid/cap, then make sure it is not all the way screwed on (a good rule of thumb is to have it screwed on just enough to not fall off, but enough to twist off the cap with one rotation of your hand). Make sure tubes are open as well.

5. The dial on the bottom right of the autoclave has four different settings on it: 0, Fill Water, Sterilize, and EXH+Dry. These represent the process that the liquid(s) will go through while in the autoclave. First, you need to fill with water. Turn the dial to Fill Water and fill it to about the line at the front of the inside of the autoclave (it's okay if it's not exactly to the line, and it may be better to be a little under than a little over so you don't spill water out).

6. Once the water has reached the line, turn the dial to Sterilize. This will stop filling the water. Now, you may shut the door, push the handle back over to the right, and tighten it as much as you can (not a strength competition, though). The autoclave will not start sterilizing until you set the timer, so do not feel the need to rush anything. Set the temperature to 273ºF/134ºC. Then turn the timer to 20 minutes, and it will begin sterilizing.

7. The timer will ding whenever finished. Then, turn the knob to EXH+Dry. This will exhaust and dry your materials, also quickly depressurizing the chamber. It will make a loud hissing noise and steam will come out of the top. Once the pressure gauge reaches zero, you may now open the door. Your materials will be hot, so it may be best to wait a couple minutes before handling them. After about 20 minutes, they can be handled without gloves.

8. When finished, return the dial at the bottom right to 0, move the red pressure gauge back to zero by twisting the metal knob in the middle, and return the tray to wherever you found it. Turn off the autoclave, and shut the door.