The autoclave idea

The autoclave idea

First what is an autoclave for those that do not know. Here is a wiki link on the autoclave:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave

Basically, it is a way to sterilize medical equipment using steam and even boiling water in a pinch.  Boiling water and steam kills germs and viruses, by the way.

The idea has many other uses, too. For example, food safety, and steam and boiling water distillation of pine oil for cleaning comes to mind.

Now even today vaporizers are still advertised to help in some kinds of healing.  Said another way, vaporizers can be thought of as another kind of autoclave, though different, too.

And then there are those who believe in aroma therapy. That is another kind of autoclave idea in most cases.

Those who “can” food know a lot about the power of boiling water and steam.

Most USA hospitals and local doctor’s offices a half century ago often had autoclaves, and so can you today and at home. All it takes is a way to boil water and ideally make some steam.

Now as to the question of why did they get supplanted by other things? The answer is I don’t know why. Autoclaves worked. And some places still use them, too. Many think they are coming back into greater use, too.

Last, if you are set up for canning food, then you already have a home style autoclave, if you choose to use it that way.