I got a call from a customer who purchased the door gasket for he Market Forge sterilizer, and asked me the following question:
I just replaced the door gasket and it’s on snug. However, on 2 test runs, the autoclave has a lot of water bubbling at the bottom of the door and water is dripping quickly out of the bottom and oozing out of the top of the door.

Here is the response:
The gasket is made from a mold so it may not be perfect.  But I would look at the inner components that make it close.  Like the springs, the studs the springs connect to and etc.   The unit will leak a little steam until about 5 min. in then should stop.  If it is just a slow leak  hit the bevel outside were the door presses against it while it builds pressure could be just the molding needing a little adjustment.

Have any questions?
You may call me at 1-800-762-1586 ext 215
Or click to chat

 

This interview by James Martell was done in 2007.  It describes the power of the affiliate marketing, and how I (Shlomo Savyon) started Alfa Medical and Sterilizers.com

Enjoy the interview

TOMY ES-315 Sterilizer – ERR message – What shall I do?

ERR normally shows a number after indicating the input error (eg. Water level sensor is 1).  Err with no number indicates multiple errors.   If you press start when there is no water in the chamber and the lid is open, you will get an ERR 0 (or ERR according to TOMY).  I have only one case of ERR only and that was related to an external incident that damaged the autoclave severely.  I have never seen this error otherwise (20+ year history).

TOMY changed the circuit board for the new sterilizers around the year 2010, and most likely the ERR without number was added to the logic.

The best course is to make sure the chamber has sufficient water, close the lid and the exhaust valve.  That should isolate the error if there is still one.  If not, they will need to go through the inputs to see which components are failing.  If the inputs test, then the problem is probably with the board.

Thank you,
Shlomo
Sterilizers.com

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Customer sent this question:
“One of our professors wants to know if the metal guides that hold the shelves inside the Market Forge model we currently have, can be removed since we don’t use any racks other than the one in the very bottom (which doesn’t sit on the metal guide). I see in the back of the chamber that the guide is somewhat attached to the damper? I am guessing that is what it is. It kind of curves in the back upper portion of the chamber, as if it may direct steam/condensation toward the very back of the chamber?”

Answer:
All the metal pieces inside the Market Forge sterilizer chamber are there for a purpose. Without these pieces you can’t insure proper sterilizing.

The triangular shaped piece (baffle) located in the back top (supported by the wire racks) is there for two reasons. It helps keep the flow of steam where it should be and secondly it prevents any condensation coming off the probe(s) located in the top of the unit from dripping down on to the media being sterilized.

The bottom perforated metal piece (with the non-concentric holes) is known as the Perforated Water Baffle. Its purpose is to keep the boiling water from splashing up on to the media being sterilized while also allowing the steam to pass through those holes to get the maximum amount of steam circulating throughout the chamber. Therefore, that Perforated Water Baffle SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SHELF. These holes should not be covered up.

 

And that’s the second reason for the wire racks (tray supports) on the sides. These are used to support the 12” x 20” (perforated or wire) trays so these trays do not sit on top of the Perforated Water Baffle and cover up the holes. This attached link attached a page from the Owners Manual that may help clarify this points.

Sterilizer Manual – Pan Support and Baffle Install Only

Sincerely,
Shlomo Savyon
sterilizers.com

 

The recommended distance the condenser coil can be located away from the sterilizer itself should be no different than the recommended length of the steam exhaust vent line when exhausting to the outdoors, without a condenser.

This text is from the sterilizer spec sheet:

The overall height and length of the steam exhaust vent line
should not rise more than 4’ (1.2 meters) above the unit and
exceed 15’ (4.5 meters) with a minimum of bends. The steam exhaust line
should slope downward toward the condenser after leaving the sterilizer in order to
ensure condensate drainage.

As you can see, the general rule of thumb, under the proper conditions, is 15 ft.

Need to purchase the Condenser Coil For Market Forge?

Posted by

Shlomo Savyon – Sterilizers.com

What is the volume of cooling water required per use for a typical STME autoclave?

As per the manufacturer, there are two answers:

1) If the sterilizer exhaust steam is vented to the outdoors then there is no cooling water except for the excess water remaining in the chamber at the end of the day. This can be no more than 6 quarts of water if it is full at the end of the day. More likely, it’s even less.
 
2) If the unit cannot be vented to the outdoors than they will be using the optional cold water condensing unit. This is used to mix the exhausted steam with cold water to then send down the drain.
 
When using the condenserduring a normal 30 minute sterilization cycle, you can expect to use anywhere from 15 to 20 gallons of water.

 

An interesting article was posted in the Chattanoogan web site about the truth about ‘Pedicure‘.  The only common I have to make in regards to the paragraph of autoclaving implements, is that the implements needs to be put into an Ultrasonic Cleaners, then put into a bag (Bags), and then put into the autoclave.  Also, monitoring the autoclave is important.  We recommend.  How elese would you know if the autoclave is working or not?

Call me if you have any further questions.
Thanks,

Shlomo
1-800-762-1586
ext 215

 

p.s. this is the paragraph in the article I was referring to:

Is it clean?

Sanitation is, first and foremost, the most important thing to look for in your salon. Do you see tools being used that have obviously been used on someone else? Do you see the pedicure chairs being washed, rinsed and cleaned with a product that will kill viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens between each client? Do you see thick filings and clippings from other clients lying on tables, floors or pedicure chairs? Please do not have services here. If your salon is touting  “sterile” implements which have been autoclaved, that does not necessarily mean the salon is clean. Autoclaving instruments really does nothing in a non-sterile field. Some salons throw instruments right into the autoclave without even cleaning them first with soap and water, and the autoclave is improperly maintained. If you see nail dust covering floors and/or work surfaces, you are being exposed to anything the prior clients might be carrying. Find yourself a clean and well maintained salon, with or without an autoclave, as long as the instruments used are being correctly sanitized or they are being disposed of after each client. And don’t be afraid to ask.  A true professional is proud of their sanitation methods and is happy to show you the lengths to which they go to protect you.

A dentist license recently temporarily was suspended because he allegedly did no disinfect surgical instruments in his office.  Also, no evidence that the office was sending out for spore testing which is against CDC recommendation of weekly testing the autoclave.

The easiest and least expensive way to spore test, is to to this …Click To Purchase, you get the result at the end of the cycle.  No need to mail it out, immediate feedback.

Go to this url address to see more of the suspended dentist.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/06/suspended_dentist_examined_but.html

Thank you,
Shlomo Savyon
516-283-5535