Autoclaving Hydrocorn Protocol

Materials and Equipment Needed

1. "Dirty" Hydrocorn
2. Large Nalgene beakers (other types of plastic will melt)
3. Autoclave

Safety Issues

Ask someone who has used the autoclave to help you the first time. Use caution when working with the heated autoclave.  Always put gloves on when handling hot Hydrocorn.  Also, use caution when opening the autoclave door after the process is completed.  The steam may cause burns.

Time Required

20 minutes for autoclave to "get ready"

1 hour for autoclaving

Procedure

Step	Image
Check to be sure deionized water is on by turning on a deionized water faucet in the lab.
Turn autoclave-steamer on.  The switch is located in the Graduate Student Office.  If the office door is locked, ask a graduate student for a key.  It will take about 20 minutes for it to get ready for use.
Pour all the "dirty" Hydrocorn into various Nalgene beakers.
Place the beakers on the racks in the autoclave.
The autoclave must reach 20 psi before starting.
Double check that the time says 40 minutes for steam steralize time and zero minutes for steam dry on the autoclave.
Press the gravity button to start the machine.
Close the door, lock it, and be sure there is a tight seal on the door.
If steam is excaping from the door, turn the machine off, untighten the door, push in on the door, and retighten the door. The autoclave alarm will go off when the door can be opened (a slightly longer time than the run time you set).  Be careful when opening the door, as steam may come out.