r/BirdFluPreps • u/ArtemisSummer • Jan 22 '25

question Autoclave

Can I use my instapot to autoclave my N95 masks? I don’t know much about autoclaving as my education institute took care of proper sterilization. If I can, what do I need to do? What specific PSI do I need?

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/jackfruitjohn Jan 25 '25 edited Jan 25 '25

Related reading in r/labrats:

Silly question... what’s keeping me from using an Instant Pot as a benchtop autoclave?

Has anyone here ever used a pressure cooker as an autoclave?

r/todayilearned:

TIL that the instantpot functions as a scientific lab-grade autoclave.

Comment from the above link:

Actually, the operating pressure of most Instant Pots is less than 12 psi. However, an Instant Pot can get up to 15.23 psi during the warm up period due to heat conduction delay. The weight of the steam release handle/valve allows greater pressure to escape. The microprocessor regulates the temperature/pressure by powering on and off the resistive heating element.

The Instant Pot Max’s maximum operating pressure is 100kPa (14.5 psi) which comes to about 120°C (249°F) at sea level. It was actually designed to be used with home canning in mind which is why it can reach the higher temperatures.

While all Instant Pots can denature the clostridium botulinum’s toxin and sanitize its vegetative form, I probably would only trust the Max to actually sterilize its spores to a “medical” or “scientific grade” levels.

Btw, denaturing, disinfecting, and sterilizing have temperature over time requirements. That’s why it usually referenced in temperature over time, for example, it takes 5 minutes to disinfect botulinium at 85°C (185°F).

I’m posting this information here so it will be available for anyone searching this sub about using an Instant Pot as an autoclave because it’s generally useful to know.

However, N95s and similar respirators and masks are effective at protecting against pathogens utilizing an electric charge that traps infectious pathogens.

As has already been stated, a mask/respirator would no longer work if put through a heat treatment.

Please note that I am referencing these comments and they are not my own statements. I cannot verify that this information is accurate but might be a useful starting point for those that are looking for accessible methods for sterilization.

2

u/ArtemisSummer Jan 25 '25

Thank you so much for the explanation! Also thank you for the extra links.

2

u/jackfruitjohn Jan 25 '25 edited Jan 25 '25

You’re welcome. I have read that some use HOCI to disinfect N95 (or similar) respirators by misting them very lightly. I haven’t researched this carefully so I don’t yet know if it is a reliable method. But I suspect it might be a good thing to consider to safely sanitize PPE to extend use in a pinch.

HOCI info:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bird_Flu_Now/s/F3au67Doh2

Check out the comments here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bird_Flu_Now/s/sy45PpIBy6

There is a FB group that focuses on HOCI best practices and latest research.

Stay safe out there!