User talk:Andy Maloney/Notebook/Lab Notebook of Andy Maloney/2009/10/23/Autoclave

• Brian P. Josey 12:21, 26 October 2009 (EDT):

So I looked in the manual that came with the autoclave, no dice. I couldn't find any mention of the copper in it, but I did find some other things that could be useful.

The first is this awesomely relevant website. The recommend cleaning out all of the tubing. This would solve the problem once and for all.

Also, I doubt that we are really taking care of it well enough. In the manual it has a list of things that we should do every day, week, and month to ensure that the autoclave stays in good condition. This run from wiping down the inside of everyday to cleaning it every week to checking gauges every month. I know that I've cleaned it once so far, and I haven't seen anyone, myself included, do any of these little things. Also, what is the model number? I noticed that in the manual that the model number 3545 is starred. If this is the case, then we need to clean it out with two packets of Chamber Brite, not one. Also, when I last cleaned it, I replaced the water in the reservoir with some DI water from the hood, not the machine because it needed to recharge. I don't know if this will have any effect, DI water is DI water, but just in case I wanted to mention it. While we could go through and clean every single pipe, I think that we just aren't doing enough to clean it daily and that we are taking it for granted.

I doubt that there will be much copper in the steam. I suggest that the copper comes in from the pipes and the water is boiled off leaving the copper residue all over the bottom of the tray. There could be copper in the steam, but I don't know how that would happen.

Steve Koch 22:06, 26 October 2009 (EDT): Awesome research, Brian, and thank you! I agree that we've been taking it for granted. Maybe it's time to set up a "chores" system in the lab? If you're in favor or opposed, put in your vote here.