Owing to the big risk of infections happening from the laboratory or medical equipment, the need for thorough sterilization cannot be denied. Properly sterilized equipment has near to no microbes on it and thus becomes harmless for the medical personnel as well as for the patient. To conduct this sterilization, several methods have been introduced over the years which include the use of steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizer, filtration, chemical sterilization, sterilization by ionizing radiations, etc.
In this article, a comparison has been made between the steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizer in terms of their working mechanism, advantages, as well as limitations.
Steam or Moist Heat Autoclave Sterilizers
Steam sterilization, also known as moist heat sterilization, is a process that is done using an autoclave. An autoclave is a machine that generates highly pressurized steam to kill microbes present in the substances kept in its chamber. From its appearance, an autoclave sterilizer looks like a microwave with a shelved inside chamber. However, instead of microwave radiation, the autoclave uses steam.
Advantages of Steam Sterilization
Steam sterilization is an effective method in many ways. Therefore, autoclaves are employed in almost every microbiological and pharmaceutical industry in addition to dental clinics and other medical facilities. The advantages of this method include the following:
· Effective Sterilization
With the use of autoclave sterilizers, the sterilization process is conducted effectively and efficiently. This is because the use of steam for sterilization makes the process highly reliable. The energy carried by steam is much higher than that of water maintained at its boiling point. Therefore, its efficacy is at least 7 times higher which is utilized to kill microbes.
· Decontamination of Medical Waste
Steam sterilization is effective against germs present in the medical waste. Hence, it is employed for cleaning the medical and surgical equipment after every use.
· Suitability for Multiple Products
The steam sterilization can be employed for cleaning various types of products. These include glassware, solid substances, labware, fluids, plastic ware, etc.
· Highly Safe Process
Due to the presence of highly-pressurized steam in the interior chamber of the autoclave, there is always an associated risk of steam leakage or accidents which can cause harm either to the products or to the personnel. To prevent such incidents as well as to make the process safer, certain safety features have been installed in the autoclave sterilizers.
· Employment in Microbiological Laboratories
In microbiological labs where bacteria are often cultured, the culture media needs to be sterilized before use. For this purpose, the employment of autoclave sterilizers is essential. In addition, other flammable liquids can also be sterilized by this technique.
· Uncomplicated Sterilization Process
Like many other laboratory devices, autoclave sterilizers also need to be standardized to ensure their performance and efficacy. With their standardization method being easy and quick, this domain is also taken care of easily.
Limitations of Moist Heat Sterilization
Despite several advantages, steam sterilization has the following limitations:
· Requirement of Space
The installation of an autoclave requires a significant amount of space. Therefore, in facilities where the space is limited, having an autoclave further reduces the available area thus decreasing the comfort level of the working personnel. This issue should particularly be considered while installing an autoclave sterilizer in a hospital.
· High Energy Process
During their operation, the autoclave sterilizers consume high energy. As a result, the cost of the sterilization process is elevated.
· Reduced Product Performance
With the frequent use of autoclave sterilizers, the materials to be sterilized become vulnerable to corrosion or damage. This is due to the frequently occurring interaction with the moisture. Resultantly, the life of the products such as surgical instruments is significantly reduced.
· Heat-Sensitive Substances
Moist heat sterilization is not suitable for substances or chemical agents that are either sensitive to heat or steam as the chances of their deterioration become high during the process.
Dry Heat Sterilizers
Dry heat sterilization is an effective method for dealing with the microbes present on the equipment as well as in heat-resistant chemical agents. Unlike autoclaves where highly-pressurized steam is the bactericidal or bacteria-killing component, dry heat sterilizers employ oxidative power in the form of heated air to deal with germs.
This dry heat effectively interacts with the protein-based structural components of the bacterial cells and destroys them to make the devices bacteria-free. As a result, contamination is prevented.
Advantages of Dry Heat Sterilization
The process of dry heat sterilization is often compared with moist heat. This is because the method offers several advantages which cannot be achieved by steam sterilization. Some of these are as follows:
· Moisture-Sensitive Substances
Dry heat sterilization is an ideal method for sterilizing chemical substances which are sensitive to moisture. These include fats, powders, or oils.
· Increased Equipment Lifespan
To increase the life of the equipment, it is best to subject them to dry heat sterilization as it does not contain moisture so the devices are not damaged by corrosion. Therefore, items such as glassware, metal instruments, and other hydrophobic materials should be sterilized using a dry heat sterilizer.
· Environment-Friendly Technique
Unlike steam sterilizers which release steam containing harmful substances into the environment, the dry heat sterilizers are safe and do not cause any harm to the atmosphere.
· Low Equipment Cost
In comparison to moist heat sterilization, dry heat sterilizers are inexpensive and more budget-friendly.
Limitations of Dry Heat Sterilization
Like autoclave sterilizers, dry heat sterilization technologies are also not suitable for every product. The process has the following limitations:
· Dense Management Load
In industries or hospitals where a large number of equipment is to be sterilized in one cycle, dry heat sterilizers might not come in handy. This is because heat is not evenly distributed within their interior chamber which makes it difficult for each piece to get thoroughly sterilized.
· High Process Cost
Apart from the fact that the instrument cost of dry heat sterilizers is lesser, these sterilizers take longer to complete one cycle i.e. up to 1 hour. This adds up to the electricity cost and thus the process becomes costly.
Dry heat sterilization is being performed by trained laboratory personnel
Steam Sterilizer Autoclave vs Dry Heat Sterilizer: Comparison
Among different sterilization techniques, steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers are often compared. Each one of these has its own advantages as well as disadvantages. The following table enlists some of the key features of both steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers:
| Features | Moist Heat Sterilizer | Dry Heat Sterilizer |
| Sterilization Technique | Steam generation | Oxidative process |
| Ideal Sterilization Temperature | 121°C | 170°C |
| Ideal Sterilization Time | 15 minutes | 1 hour |
| Environmental-Friendly Method | ✘ | ✔ |
| Dense Load Management | ✔ | ✘ |
| Suitability for Flammable Substances | ✔ | ✘ |
| Suitability for Hydrophobic Substances | ✔ | ✘ |
| Suitability for Sterilizing Fats and Oils | ✘ | ✔ |
| Suitability for Metal Equipment | ✘ | ✔ |
| Risk of Corrosion | ✔ | ✘ |
| Equipment Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Process Cost | Lower | Higher |
Steam Sterilizer Autoclave vs Dry Heat Sterilizers at Health Supply 770: Products and Features
Autoclave sterilizers are machines that are used for cleaning medical equipment and making them free from germs. Both steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers are good and effective and have comparable efficacy.
Considering their frequent employment in medical and dental care facilities as well as in beauty salons, many companies manufacture and market both steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizer. In this regard, many different kinds of steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers are available at the Health Supply 770 which have been discussed in detail along with their prices and purchase links:
8 L Dental Lab Autoclave Sterilizer Medical Steam Sterilization Drying Function
$1,250.99
Product Details
Among the well-known steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers, these 8 L Dental Lab autoclave sterilizers are machines that are used in healthcare facilities for cleaning equipment and instruments. These Dental Lab autoclaves are manufactured in China. When it comes to their specifications, these have multiple sterilization pressure options which can maintained at either 0.12 Mpa or 0.23 Mpa.
The sterilization time required for the instruments to become completely germ-free is either 6 minutes or 25 minutes. However, this sterilization time can also be exceeded up to 40 minutes. The construction material used for manufacturing these sterilizers is stainless steel which is reliable, long-lasting, and heat as well as moisture-resistant.
The dimensions of the device are Φ 250 x D 350 mm while the length of the internal chamber is 60 x 39 x 36 centimeters. Moreover, the high temperatures that can be achieved in the device are between the range of 122°C and 134°C.
As the name suggests, the capacity of the device is up to 18 liters and the system has a heater power of up to 1000 W. Overall, like many other steam autoclave sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers, the device is a good option for sterilizing dental instruments, surgical tools, as well as glassware.
Automatically Dental Medical 18 L Autoclave Sterilizer Vacuum Steam Sterilization
$932.99
Product Details
Automatically dental medical 18 L autoclave sterilizers one of the great options available for use in medical and dental facilities. In addition, it can also be used for sterilizing instruments in beauty salons. The product has various sterilization time options which can be set at 6 minutes or 25 minutes.
The temperature range of the product can be set at 121°C with a pressure value of 0.12 Mpa as well as at 134°C with 0.22 Mpa pressure. The dimensions of the internal chamber are Ø 25 × D 35 cm or Ø 9.84 × D 13.78 inches. As for the overall internal capacity, the device can hold up to 18 liters of substances.
The construction material is stainless steel which has high durability and the power required to run the system is up to 1000 W. The safety system of the Automatically dental medical 18 L autoclave sterilizers is exceptional and allows protection to the personnel. Therefore, it is considered one of the best products when the choice is between a steam autoclave sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizer.
Midmark Corporat M9-022 Autoclave, Ultraclave Ritter M9001 Automat 9″X15″
Product Details
Among the steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers, Midmark Corporat M9-022 autoclave ultraclave Ritter M9001 Automat 9″ x 15″ is one of kind device employed for sterilization. The reliability of the product is high as its stainless steel construction makes it durable and long-lasting.
To enhance usage ease, these machines are also affixed with programmable buttons that ensure fast temperature as well as drying time change options. In addition, the vent settings of the device can also be changed between fast to slow options.
The temperature which can be achieved in the device is between the range of 230 to 275 degrees and the time required for sterilization is up to 3 to 90 minutes. The device also has 2 small and 2 large trays to hold the materials. In addition, the volume capacity the system has is up to 3.5 gallons with the unwrapped cycle time for cold and hot being 19 and 14 minutes respectively. Overall, this product is considered one of the best options among different steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article for steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
All types of steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given in the article to check out the wide range of steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers.
Bottom Line
Sterilization is one of the necessary methods employed in industries, dental clinics, hospitals, etc. To conduct this process, steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers are often preferred. In dry heat sterilization, microbes are killed with steam generated in the autoclave. However, in dry heat sterilization, an oxidative process is employed.
Both of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages and the choice is narrowed down depending upon the requirements of the buyer as well as the facility where the device is to be installed.
Considering their efficacy and essentiality, it is always a good idea to have autoclave sterilizers at your medical facility, beauty salon, dental clinic, etc. In this regard, for purchasing different kinds of steam sterilizer autoclave vs dry heat sterilizers, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
