Is It Time to Upgrade or Replace Your Autoclave?

Is It Time to Upgrade or Replace Your Autoclave?

Written by: Jason Thompson

Autoclaves are often a mission-critical tool and, like all machinery, do experience wear and tear as a result of frequent use. Inevitably, there will come a time when you replace your unit to ensure consistent autoclave performance. Here are some guidelines around when it may be time to upgrade or replace your autoclave: The autoclave […]

Your Go-To Guide for Autoclave Safety

Your Go-To Guide for Autoclave Safety [w/ Free Checklist!]

Written by: Scott Mechler

Autoclaves, also known as sterilizers, are designed to disinfect, decontaminate, and sterilize laboratory equipment using incredibly hot, pressurized steam. As a result, there are a number of potential risks associated with operating an autoclave, such as steam burns, hot fluid scalds, and hand and arm injuries when closing the autoclave door. In order to avoid […]

Decontaminating N95 Masks with Steam Sterilization

Decontaminating N95 Masks with Steam Sterilization

Written by: Amit Gupta

Can N95 Masks be steam sterilized for reuse?  This article attempts to answer this question by giving a review of the current literature and taking a closer look at N95 filter types and materials of construction. The ability to autoclave N95 masks would be ideal because autoclaving is a proven sterilization process and existing autoclave […]

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8 Common Autoclave Problems You Should Know

Written by: Scott Mechler

In an ideal world, laboratory autoclaves would always work exactly as intended. Unfortunately, issues can and do arise — the key to resolving them is knowing what to look for. In this article, we’ll outline seven of the most common autoclave problems and how to identify them. Key Takeaways: Most autoclave problems are the result […]

Laboratory autoclave machine with title "A Guide to Laboratory Safety & Standard Autoclave.

Autoclave Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): How to Safely Operate an Autoclave (+SOP Template)

Written by: Scott Mechler

Autoclaves, also known as steam sterilizers, use pressurized steam to kill any microbial life that may be present on a contaminated item. For this reason, autoclaves are most commonly used in laboratories, hospital operating rooms and food production facilities in order to sterilize goods and instruments. Autoclaves are extremely powerful and can be a bit […]

53 Items Every Autoclave Maintenance Plan Should Include

53 Items Every Autoclave Maintenance Plan Should Include [+ Free Log Sheet!]

Written by: Mike Peters

Here at Consolidated Sterilizer Systems, we’re of the mind that the importance of routine preventative autoclave maintenance really can’t be understated. After all, preventative maintenance reduces system downtime, improves processing performance, eliminates the need for costly repairs, and ensures workplace safety — and that’s only the start of it. Bearing that in mind, we’ve put […]

N95DECON compiles critical research on N95 masks, shown with a white N95 respirator mask.

N95DECON Scientific Consortium Compiles Critical Research on N95 Mask

Written by: Arthur Trapotsis

April 2, 2020 – The ongoing shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has forced many hospitals, care centers, and first responders to reuse their limited supply of critical resources. This lack of protective devices puts healthcare workers at increased risk of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which […]

Biosafety Level Guidance for COVID-19 Research document header with biohazard symbol.

Biosafety Level Guidance for COVID-19 Research

Written by: Scott Mechler

What biosafety level is required to handle samples and/or perform research containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus?  Read on for the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Background A Biological Safety Level (BSL 1, 2, 3, or 4) is assigned to a biological lab as a safeguard to protect laboratory personnel, as well as […]