Easy Vial Sterilization Technique

[666bym]

Hey guys,

I plan on getting into homebrewing and since it can be a pain in the ass to source high quality pre-sterilized vials, I thought of an alternative technique using a very easy process and a pressure cooker. Basically I took some concepts I've been applying when growing magic mushrooms.

Here's the technique:

1. Prepare the Vials and Stoppers:
   • Clean the vials and rubber stoppers with tap water and dish soap.
   • Rinse thoroughly with distilled water.
   • Dry them in an oven at a low temperature (approximately 80°C or 175°F) for about 20 minutes, and allow them to cool completely. We don't want any water/ humidity left in the vials.
2. Cap and Crimp the Vials:
   • Insert a rubber stopper into each vial and crimp it securely so that the vial is sealed but empty.
3. Prepare for Sterilization:
   • Insert a sterile syringe needle through the rubber stopper of each vial. The needle should be large enough to allow for air exchange without leaving a huge hole in the stopper
   • Cover the needle opening with micropore tape to prevent contamination when removing the vials from the pressure cooker. The micropore tape will allow for air exchange but will prevent for contamination to enter when removing the vials from the PC. Again, I borrowed this concept from mycology and it works. Essentially attaching a syringe filter to the needle would give you the same effect but using micropore tape is more cost effective.
4. Setup for Sterilization:
   • Place the crimped and needle-inserted vials into a suitable container or basket that can withstand high temperatures and pressure.
   • Arrange the container or basket inside the pressure cooker, ensuring there is adequate space around the vials for steam to circulate.
5. Sterilization Process:
   • Add water to the bottom of the pressure cooker and close it.
   • Heat the pressure cooker on high until steam begins to escape from the valve.
   • Once steam is escaping, place the weight on the pressure cooker and increase the pressure to at least 15 psi (preferably 18 psi).
   • Maintain this pressure for 45 minutes to ensure thorough sterilization of the vials.
6. Post-Sterilization:
   • Allow the pressure cooker to cool down completely before opening it. This will prevent the risk of contamination from steam or hot surfaces.
   • Carefully remove the container or basket with the vials from the pressure cooker, ensuring you maintain a sterile environment.
7. Final Steps:
   • Once the vials are cool, carefully remove the needle from each vial.
   • Store the sterilized vials in a clean, dry place until needed.

This should make sterilization a shit ton easier for many people. Let me know what you think, feedback is appreciated.

 

[damian90k]

10-15 years back, everyone sterilize vials with that technique. I don't know how it disappear now. I do that also, but I sterilize vials and stoppers separately. Then I put stoppers in iso alcohol after sterilization and use it directly from there as iso evaporate very fast and fill vials immediately after sterilization. Also I always use sterilization indicator tape.

 

[H&M]

Just a note: NEVER use tap water for any process

 

[666bym]

Oh it was supposed to say destilled water, wtf

Just a note: NEVER use tap water for any process

 

[bighunanballs]

For 25 years now I've just used a iso 70% wash and rack dry and never had an issue. Sometimes I'll pressure cook labware after a year or two of use then back to ISO baths

 

[666bym]

For 25 years now I've just used a iso 70% wash and rack dry and never had an issue. Sometimes I'll pressure cook labware after a year or two of use then back to ISO baths

Yeah I know that may work just fine. But like many others, I would rather play it safe and go fully sterile. Just a personal preference since I have seen with mushrooms how far the tiniest amount of contamination can go. I know not the same here because of BA/BB, but still..

 

[bighunanballs]

I know not the same here because of BA/BB,

Correct

 

[max187]

For 25 years now I've just used a iso 70% wash and rack dry and never had an issue. Sometimes I'll pressure cook labware after a year or two of use then back to ISO baths

Hey man, i am interested in potentially copying your sterilisation technique. Could you walk me through it step by step? Are you drying in the oven or just letting them air dry naturally? do you cover the tops of the vials post sterilisation while drying with a breathable material or just let them dry off open? I am looking for a practical and efficient way to sterilise a large batch of vials, hopefully without the use of a pressure cooker or oven if possible.

 

[ThinkTrenbolone]

I just stick my vials in autoclave bags. I wash them in distilled water. Then alcohol. Then distilled. Fresh. Then dry in oven then straight into the bags. Then steam cook them at 15 psi for 25 mins. Then I dry the bags out in oven again to get rid of moisture that's left. Then vaccume seal the bags themselves to extend its sterilized environment

 

[Sampei]

Why just not buy 50-30ml sterilised vials?

They are cheap 15-17 euro max for 10 vials.

With 10x30ml vials you can store 300ml of gear. I believe more then enough for a while.

Hassle free

 

[BigNattyMcGee]

The final transfer from the filtered product to the vials. I plan on using the bigger filters, the ones capable of filtering 100 - 500 mls at a time. Provided ones work area is as clean and sanitary as a home brew area can be (I don't think it's possible to maintain actual sterile conditions for very long at home), how much risk is involved if you pour the filtered product into the vials and then cap them? Again, I am operating under the assumption that all equipment has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized as best you can.

I have used the 60ml syringe w/caulk gun technique into pre capped/sterile vials - and it's a messy, time consuming, PITA.

I ran across an older Bill Roberts article on Meso (A Review of Various Carrier Oils, Solubilizers and Bacteriostatics Used to Make Steroid Homebrew Preparations) where he discusses home brewing, and he brings up a point that the final product in oil isn't really a friendly environment for nasty things to grow.

At any rate, I'd be curious if anyone has a tried and true technique they use and would be willing to share. Perhaps I am hoping to avoid the inevitable, but it should would speed things up!

Thanks Meso!

 

[Benf15harp]

I wonder if my vials are sterile.

 

[HB_22]

I just stick my vials in autoclave bags. I wash them in distilled water. Then alcohol. Then distilled. Fresh. Then dry in oven then straight into the bags. Then steam cook them at 15 psi for 25 mins. Then I dry the bags out in oven again to get rid of moisture that's left. Then vaccume seal the bags themselves to extend its sterilized environment

I don't understand how these bags are working. You can put the vials in, put them in the pressure cooker to sterilize them with high pressure and steam (does the steam go through the autoclave bag?) and then put the whole bag in the oven to dry it? Does this really work? I thought these bags are sealed in a certain way to keep the vials or whatever is inside sterile, so I am wondering how steam or moisture can enter and leave if they are sealed?

 

[ThinkTrenbolone]

I don't understand how these bags are working. You can put the vials in, put them in the pressure cooker to sterilize them with high pressure and steam (does the steam go through the autoclave bag?) and then put the whole bag in the oven to dry it? Does this really work? I thought these bags are sealed in a certain way to keep the vials or whatever is inside sterile, so I am wondering how steam or moisture can enter and leave if they are sealed?

You put them in. Steam it. Then seal it as soon as you can. Then just chuck them low heat to dry out. There is a paper backing that allows stream through

 

[HB_22]

You put them in. Steam it. Then seal it as soon as you can. Then just chuck them low heat to dry out. There is a paper backing that allows stream through

Thank you mate, that explains a lot.

 

[EmberWave]

After cleaning with pure alcohol, rinsing with distilled water and then placing it in the oven would be much better.

 

[EmberWave]

But despite everything, since the product contains benzyl alcohol, you can feel safe

 

[narta]

But despite everything, since the product contains benzyl alcohol, you can feel safe

Can ba make a product safe if I sneeze before I cap it? BA needs a very high percentage in order to be even remotely bactericidal.

 

[EmberWave]

Can ba make a product safe if I sneeze before I cap it? BA needs a very high percentage in order to be even remotely bactericidal.

I hope you know how not to sneeze

 

[Astartes]

For 25 years now I've just used an iso 70% wash and rack dry and never had an issue. Sometimes I'll pressure cook labware after a year or two of use then back to ISO baths

This, then put in a strong UVC sterilizer with drying function and filter. Works great. Out of sterilizer, cap and go.