Easy Vial Sterilization Technique

[Ateam2023]

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

speaking of storing large amounts o larger vials (20-30-50 ml) do youhave any leads on good storage cases etc? tia

 

[Ateam2023]

i just ordered some essential oils travel cases for 60 vials up to20 ml on Ali for $18

 

[dionetib]

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.

i personally don’t think it make sense to crimp it before sterilising. Your essentially sterilising the vial from outside rather than inside imho

 

[dionetib]

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?

lots of people do it in this way but I would personally not bag them prior to the pressure cooker. Even when using the autoclave you should only use the pouches with the vacuum cycle (non-vacuum cycle won’t sterilise bagged instruments)

 

[Sampei]

lots of people do it in this way but I would personally not bag them prior to the pressure cooker. Even when using the autoclave you should only use the pouches with the vacuum cycle (non-vacuum cycle won’t sterilise bagged instruments)

Use of a Pressure Cooker to Achieve Sterilization for an Expeditionary Environment - PubMed

This study provides evidence that sterilization is possible with offthe- shelf pressure cookers. Though lacking US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, the use of this commercially available pressure cooker may provide a method of sterilization requiring minimal resources from providers...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

it says differently here

 

[dionetib]

Use of a Pressure Cooker to Achieve Sterilization for an Expeditionary Environment - PubMed

This study provides evidence that sterilization is possible with offthe- shelf pressure cookers. Though lacking US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, the use of this commercially available pressure cooker may provide a method of sterilization requiring minimal resources from providers...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

it says differently here

fair enough. I think the ultimate test would be to use a helix test in a pressure cooker to find out (oppose to tst strip)

 

[666bym]

i personally don’t think it make sense to crimp it before sterilising. Your essentially sterilising the vial from outside rather than inside imho

That‘s why you put the needle in sir

 

[Sampei]

That‘s why you put the needle in sir

No need for all of this, just place everything inside of autoclave bag and seal the bag. A lot easier