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Stainless steel pan to be used in an autoclave to sterilize soil

August 16, 2009

Who I am? I am a gardener.
What I do? I work in a plant research laboratory.
Why? I need to purchase a stainless steel pan to autoclave soil (i.e., to sterilize soil) to grow research plants. The temperature of the autoclave is 250F and under 15 pounds/square inch of pressure. I plan to run the autoclave for between 30 minutes to about 1 hour. What type of stainless steel pan should I purchase? 18/10 or 18/8? Does it matter? I don't want to damage the expensive autoclave.

Sherry Chan
I am a gardener - San Francisco, California, USA

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Either will work fine. They are both in the 300 series of SS. I would avoid 400 series SS as it tends to rust and corrode much more than 300 series. James Watts - Navarre, Florida August 18, 2009 Sherry Doesn't the autoclaving process hurt your plants? And if not, are the resultant plants now sterile and not produce fruit? Willie Alexander - Colorado Springs, Colorado August 18, 2009

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Willie, it's the soil that's being autoclaved, so that plants can subsequently be grown in it.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
August 21, 2009

Go with 304 or better yet 316 s/s and have it electropolished before service. It will last forever.

Cliff Kusch
electropolishing shop - North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
September 18, 2009