UV Sterilizer vs Autoclave

Looking for thoughts on what is better or if a UVS would be an acceptable replacement for an autoclave? People use their ovens for their vials, so would the sterilizer be any different/worse/same as an oven or autoclave?

Subbed on this one. I was looking at these earlier this week and was trying to find out just how good they are for sterilizing. I was thinking it could be used to sterilize non-sterile bottletop filters.
 
Subbed on this one. I was looking at these earlier this week and was trying to find out just how good they are for sterilizing. I was thinking it could be used to sterilize non-sterile bottletop filters.
I don’t see why it couldn’t be used for all things. The pics I saw were for salon tools, so why not anything and everything else?
 
I don’t see why it couldn’t be used for all things. The pics I saw were for salon tools, so why not anything and everything else?

Same ones I was looking at. I just couldn’t find any info about the level of sterilization they are able to achieve.
 
Also found this article interesting. Most interesting is the part that says UV radiation is not good at killing bacteria where parts are overlapping. It would appear to me that UV sterilization of caps, stoppers and vials is more than sufficient. If you think about it, they sell UV sterilizer for baby bottles. If it’s good enough to sterilize those, surely vials and etc. are going to be sterilized as well.

https://waterpower.pnnl.gov/jsats/pdf/PNNL-21126.pdf
 
I found a cabinet that is being sold to dentist offices and have asked them my question regarding vials, caps and stoppers. They said they answer in 24-48 hours, so I’ll post it when they reply. Not bad for $120.
 
If the light can not contact it then it can not be sterilized. Like bottle top dispensers for example.

This is what I think.
Someone told me they use a UV sterilizer for a transfer tube. I suppose if it’s a clear tube, the light is touching it and works?

So it sounds like you’re saying the stoppers and caps would not be good candidates but the vials would be fine?
 
Someone told me they use a UV sterilizer for a transfer tube. I suppose if it’s a clear tube, the light is touching it and works?

So it sounds like you’re saying the stoppers and caps would not be good candidates but the vials would be fine?
Correct. Now that's only an assumption, Im no expert on how they work.

Why not go clave? I got one on ebay for 300. The time and peace of mind is well worth 300.
 
I would be concerned with the inside of a vial. Glass is reflective even clear glass to an extent. JMO/IDK? lol. I do know if you heat the fuck out of something it will kill bacteria.
 
Looking for thoughts on what is better or if a UVS would be an acceptable replacement for an autoclave? People use their ovens for their vials, so would the sterilizer be any different/worse/same as an oven or autoclave?

@master.on your input would be greatly appreciated!
1 UV won't kill enough bacteria.

2 If it's meant for personal use, just buy sterile vials. i.e. Hospira is true big pharma quality and they're like $5 at Amazon or Ebay.

3 If it's meant for anything larger scale
buy a wet autoclave (those that leave vials wet after sterilization), they are cheap and widely available
then rinse with STERILE FILTERED 75% alcohol and allow them to fully dry, in a sterile enclosure.

4 Dry heat sterilization ain't suitable because vials glass ain't heat resistant and proper sterilization would need high temperatures and long times that would surely crack glass (and melt rubber stoppers).
Aluminum wrapped oven heating just doesn't work. Vials would need to be exposed to hot air (to get exposed to hot Oxygen) and that would need a huge, expensive sterile oven.
https://microbeonline.com/dry-heat-sterilization-principle-advantages-disadvantages/
 
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1 UV won't kill enough bacteria.

2 If it's meant for personal use, just buy sterile vials. i.e. Hospira is true big pharma quality and they're like $5 at Amazon or Ebay.

3 If it's meant for anything larger scale
buy a wet autoclave (those that leave vials wet after sterilization), they are cheap and widely available
then rinse with STERILE FILTERED 75% alcohol and allow them to fully dry, in a sterile enclosure.

4 Dry heat sterilization ain't suitable because vials glass ain't heat resistant and proper sterilization would need high temperatures and long times that would surely crack glass (and melt rubber stoppers).
Aluminum wrapped oven heating just doesn't work. Vials would need to be exposed to hot air (to get exposed to hot Oxygen) and that would need a huge, expensive sterile oven.
https://microbeonline.com/dry-heat-sterilization-principle-advantages-disadvantages/
Hmm... this is totally contrary to what many believe of an autoclave. If you get the wet clave with heated dry you’re saying that isn’t sufficient either?

What about these UGL’s that set their oven to 500°F - is that not sufficient sterilizing?
 
Hmm... this is totally contrary to what many believe of an autoclave. If you get the wet clave with heated dry you’re saying that isn’t sufficient either?

What about these UGL’s that set their oven to 500°F - is that not sufficient sterilizing?
While autoclaves don't leave vials that wet,
even a little water condensation can make oil based formulations cloudy.
Sterile filtered 70% alcohol is a great and cheap way to ensure vials are bone dry.

Baking in oven doesn't work, as ovens aren't sterile
and they usually wrap vials in Aluminum foil that prevents hot air from getting in.
 
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