How To Validate an Autoclave: Operational Qualification (OQ) Written by: Amit Gupta Every laboratory strives for consistency and repeatability in its sterilization processes. But this doesn’t come easily. In order to ensure your autoclave operates efficiently it’s critical that you validate the sterilization process and verify that the equipment is working safely and properly. This is known as Operational Qualification (OQ), and it’s one of the most […] Tweet Like Share
Wet Packs: A Quick Guide on How to Prevent a Common Problem in Sterilization Written by: Scott Mechler One of the worst things you will encounter after running a sterilization cycle in your autoclave is evidence of moisture within the chamber or within the load itself. This phenomenon, known as wet packs, may not seem overly concerning but should be taken seriously and investigated. A wet pack is a sign that something is […] Tweet Like Share
How To Validate an Autoclave: Installation Qualification (IQ) Written by: Amit Gupta There is an array of qualification tests that can be conducted to validate an autoclave. Many laboratories validate autoclaves by simply using biological indicators (BI’s). For some labs, however, a simple validation with BI’s is not enough and a more elaborate validation process must be followed. These labs typically require installation, operation, and performance qualifications […] Tweet Like Share
How to Calibrate Your Autoclave in 12 Simple Steps Written by: Scott Mechler Calibration is an important but often misunderstood maintenance requirement for steam sterilizers. Done correctly, it ensures that the temperature your autoclave displays is the same as the temperature the chamber actually reaches, which has a direct and measurable effect on sterilization efficacy. In this article, we’ll explain what calibration is, what equipment you need to […] Tweet Like Share
Common Steam Autoclave Maintenance Questions, Answered Written by: Amit Gupta Keeping your steam autoclaves in proper working order improves productivity, reduces downtime, extends the life of the autoclave, and helps to ensure overall safety in the workplace. To help you with autoclave upkeep, we wrote about the importance of maintenance and shared some basic tips to maintain your equipment in a prior post. In this post, we take the conversation a little deeper, answering common sterilizer maintenance questions and identifying the critical components on an autoclave that should be inspected periodically by a trained service provider. This is not an exhaustive list of all the autoclave components that should be inspected but merely the major ones. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Understanding Steam Autoclave Ownership Costs: Acquisition Cost vs. Operating Cost Written by: Scott Mechler Whether you’re purchasing a small laboratory autoclave or one for your ambulatory surgery center, a steam autoclave is a significant investment. Beyond budgeting for upfront purchasing costs, it’s critical to understand the overall lifetime costs of owning a steam autoclave, as well. In order to make the best purchasing decision, you need to consider both the initial price tag (the acquisition cost) and the long-term maintenance costs (the operating cost). By combining these costs, you can get the full picture of what it costs to own an autoclave over its entire lifespan. When in the market for your next steam autoclave, it’s important to carefully consider all associated costs — let’s break them down. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Is Your Amsco Autoclave Getting Old? 4 Benefits of a Control System Upgrade to Extend the Life of Your Older-Model Autoclave Written by: Mike Peters Autoclaves typically last more than 20 years, but as they age, so does the technology that supports them. As a result, labs with older model autoclaves/sterilizers—such as Amsco® autoclaves—predictably operate at less than full capacity due to compromised performance. Read more → Tweet Like Share
4 Reasons Why Where Your Autoclave Is Manufactured Matters Written by: Jason Thompson From your car to the food you eat, it’s important to know where things come from. The same goes for autoclaves—you should be aware of where they are manufactured and how this can impact the overall value. In the U.S. market today, there are both foreign and domestic autoclave manufacturers. Autoclaves engineered and manufactured in the United States provide more returns for labs or facilities located in the U.S. than their foreign counterparts. There are 4 essential considerations for evaluating an autoclave manufacturer: Read more → Tweet Like Share
Why Your Autoclaves Are Wasting Water (and Money) and How To Stop It Written by: Scott Mechler Steam autoclaves (also referred to as sterilizers) are common and essential pieces of equipment in today’s microbiology and animal labs; however, they traditionally consume a significant amount of water. Read more → Tweet Like Share
Are You Risking Unnecessary Autoclave Downtime? Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Just like a car, your autoclave should receive routine maintenance to ensure that it works properly today, tomorrow, and for years to come. So, let’s investigate what this really means for laboratories looking to get the most out of their autoclaves. Read more → Tweet Like Share
5.29.26 Protect Your Sterilizer & Keep Your OR Running With SterilSource → For sterile processing teams at healthcare facilities, providing purified water for their autoclave has historically meant accepting tradeoffs around floor space, budget, and throughput. Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and other, smaller healthcare facilities have felt this most acutely, with many having to choose between installing a bulky reverse osmosis (RO) system that takes up significant […]
5.28.26 Consolidated Sterilizer Systems Introduces SterilSource, a Premium Water Purification System for Healthcare Facilities and Life Science Labs → May 2026, Billerica, MA — Consolidated Sterilizer Systems is proud to announce the launch of SterilSource, a compact wall-mounted water purification system designed to meet the demanding water quality regulatory requirements of healthcare and life science environments. SterilSource is available in three configurations, offering scalable water treatment solutions from basic mineral and contaminant removal to […]
5.14.26 Consolidated Selected as Small Business Manufacturer by the University of California → What Set Us Apart Throughout the RFP process, Consolidated stood out for our: Relationship with UC, which predates this agreement, with many campuses already standardized on our autoclaves Low cost of ownership through non-proprietary parts and third-party service models, including local service Built-in water- and energy-saving features Support for both in-house and generator steam Custom […]
