Avoiding autoclave choice overload

When presented with so many excellent options, it can be a struggle to narrow down the choice! Priorclave’s own standard range of autoclaves includes over seventy different models, with an unlimited number of custom options available. Thankfully, the range of autoclaves available can be simplified to four main types: benchtop, top loading, front loading, and pass-through.  

Benchtop
A small autoclave designed specifically to be placed directly onto a lab bench. This style of autoclave is virtually self-contained, a standalone design that requires simply connecting to an appropriate power supply. It is by far the easiest to install and potentially the lowest priced. It is perfectly suited for a small laboratory with limited space or whose items for sterilisation are relatively small, with an infrequent throughput.    

Top-Loading
Another space-saving autoclave, better suited for the sterilisation of taller than normal items, such as fermenters and large capacity Erlenmeyer flasks. However, due to the need to lift baskets and containers vertically, a load-lifting hoist is both available and highly recommended. 

Front-Loading
These autoclaves are much larger and can handle greater loads.  They come in two chamber shapes, either cylindrical or rectangular. 

A cylindrical chamber is naturally resistant to pressure and has improved air circulation. These require less material reinforcement, which can make them a more cost-effective option. They also typically suffer less wear and tear over their lifetime, so they are easier to maintain.   

A rectangular chamber requires stronger reinforcements to handle pressure due to its flat surfaces. This reinforcement increases its weight and cost. However, for heavy-duty, higher capacity sterilising processes, rectangular chambers are often the preferred chamber shape.  

Pass-through
Pass-through autoclaves enable sealed laboratory environments to be maintained, with door interlocks preventing the potential for laboratory standards to be compromised. Every double-door autoclave provides a sterile path in and out of sealed laboratories. These are most popular as ‘clean rooms’ are being adopted by a wide variety of industries, ranging from biomedical research to semiconductor fabrication. 

Beyond these four standard models, Priorclave can produce custom-built autoclaves. This ensures that your autoclave achieve the very best performance, ergonomically designed to suit your staff's needs. It also means that any features not required can be left off, reducing the overall cost.  

Whichever model you choose, every Priorclave autoclave is treated with Biomaster™, an anti-bacterial silver nano-technology that is incorporated into all epoxy-coated surfaces. This coating provides effective lifelong defence against bacteria and fungi, including MRSA. This coating not only reduces the risk of microbial growth but also helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination, supporting laboratory hygiene standards between cleans.  

Every Priorclave autoclave is also fitted with their exclusive Tactrol 3 programmable control system, which makes it easy for users to create precise custom cycles that can be started with the push of a single button, even whilst fully gloved. Researchers especially appreciate Tactrol’s Delayed Start and Media Warming features, which enables growth media to be prepared overnight and kept ready-to-pour, without risk of thermal degradation, caramelising high glucose media, boil-overs, etc. 

To discover which is the right ergonomic and affordable Priorclave autoclave for your needs, contact their sales team today.

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