An autoclave is a piece of machinery.
It's not a complicated piece of machinery.
But it is a piece of equipment that's made up of several different parts.
As such, there's always the possibility that something might go wrong or some part might break.
Sending your autoclave out for repair can be quite costly.
Not only will you have to pay for the repair but you'll also have to pay for shipping and handling both ways.
Not to mention the fact that you'll also have to pay to rent a replacement for 4 to 6 weeks.
Before you box it up and send it in for repair, check out these autoclave troubleshooting tips to see if you can save yourself a little money.
Staining: You should only used distilled water in your autoclave.
Tap water contains minerals and additives that can literally be baked onto your instruments by the hot steam.
Clean the steam line filter according to the manufacturer's directions and wipe out the inside of the autoclave after each use to prevent build-up.
You should also separate different metals with a tray liner and thoroughly clean all instruments before loading them into the autoclave.
Temperature problems: If the temperature doesn't rise, or it rises and then drops during the cycle, the drain line or strainer are probably plugged.
The drain line allows air to escape as the pressure inside the chamber increases.
If the air can't escape, cooler pockets of air form within the steam which prevents it from reaching the maximum temperature.
Pressure problems: If the pressure doesn't rise or it fluctuates, again, check the drain line or strainer.
If they're clogged it will prevent the release of air from the chamber and that will cause the pressure to drop or fluctuate.
Damp equipment: Excessive moisture on your equipment at the end of the cycle generally means all you need to do is increase the dry time.
It's also important to make sure you're not over-loading your autoclave.
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for load limits.
Cracks in chamber: You should never use unauthorized chemicals in your autoclave.
Use distilled, deionized water only or follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Never use bleach or other harsh chemicals or you can damage the interior.
Steam escapes: Steam escaping from around the door during the cycle indicates a worn gasket which you can easily replace yourself.
Water in chamber: Water in the chamber at the end of the cycle usually signals a blocked or clogged drain.
If clearing the drain doesn't take care of the problem it may be that you need a new valve for the drain line.
This is something that's easily handled right there in your office and you can do it yourself with just a few simple steps.
Generally, when something goes wrong with an autoclave, it's a pretty easy fix.
But most people think that because they're dealing with a machine that's sophisticated enough to sterilize medical equipment, then they probably shouldn't try a Do-It-Yourself repair.
As you can see, though, a lot of the problems that pop up have something to do with either proper drainage or proper use and cleaning.
Before you send your autoclave off for an expensive repair, don't be afraid to see if it's something you can handle yourself.