11 replies to this topic

[shmgeggie]

My neighbors on the block behind me had a garage sale last weekend. I stopped by out of curiosity. Well, they had an autoclave sitting on a table there. I asked about it and the owner said that her dad was a physician and it was probably bought in the '70's and was, as far as she knew, in working order. She was kind of surprised that I even knew what it was. I decided that I wasn't really interested in yeast ranching, so I didn't ask about price. Later that day, I realized that I should have just bought it so I could use it for barter on this board. But I never got back over there. The lady said they were going to have another sale soon, so I'm thinking that they probably still have the autoclave. If anyone is interested, it would be easy for me to knock on the door and ask if they still have it and how much they want for it. Then maybe we could work something out to make it worth my trouble (There's lots of stuff I don't have that I'd be willing to trade for). Maybe this post should go in the classified section but I'll start it here for now.

[tag]

What size?

[shmgeggie]

What size?

I dunno. It was a table-top thingy, about the size of a big stereo amp, maybe? Probably for surgical tools.

[stangbat]

I've got a big one that I use for canning (25 qt I think). Shoot, you can use them for any canning although they take a while to cool down compared to a smaller canner. So it is kind of a toss up as to whether it is faster to get more jars in and wait longer for it to cool down vs. canning fewer jars in a smaller canner with a shorter turn around time. The big ones aren't cheap so it may be worth your while to pick it up. Of course you don't need to tell her that. :scratch:Another disadvantage and autoclave is it doesn't have the rocking pressure relief thingie like a canner so you have to watch the pressure gage and pay more attention to the flame levelIt is the big one here:

[xd_haze]

If it makes you feel more scientific, just call your pressure cooker an autoclave. I know I do -- it makes me feel much better. mike

I've got a big one that I use for canning (25 qt I think). Shoot, you can use them for any canning although they take a while to cool down compared to a smaller canner. So it is kind of a toss up as to whether it is faster to get more jars in and wait longer for it to cool down vs. canning fewer jars in a smaller canner with a shorter turn around time. The big ones aren't cheap so it may be worth your while to pick it up. Of course you don't need to tell her that. :scratch:Another disadvantage and autoclave is it doesn't have the rocking pressure relief thingie like a canner so you have to watch the pressure gage and pay more attention to the flame levelIt is the big one here:

[stangbat]

If it makes you feel more scientific, just call your pressure cooker an autoclave. I know I do -- it makes me feel much better. mike

No matter what, you need to call it an autoclave if you are spending >$300. https://www.pressure...let.com/941.htmBTW, I only spent $30 on my autoclave, so maybe I'd better call it a pressure canner.

Edited by stangbat, 14 July 2009 - 07:06 AM.

[xd_haze]

Now that is a canner!

No matter what, you need to call it an autoclave if you are spending >$300. https://www.pressure...let.com/941.htmBTW, I only spent $30 on my autoclave, so maybe I'd better call it a pressure canner.

[Deerslyr]

My neighbors on the block behind me had a garage sale last weekend. I stopped by out of curiosity. Well, they had an autoclave sitting on a table there. I asked about it and the owner said that her dad was a physician and it was probably bought in the '70's and was, as far as she knew, in working order. She was kind of surprised that I even knew what it was. I decided that I wasn't really interested in yeast ranching, so I didn't ask about price. Later that day, I realized that I should have just bought it so I could use it for barter on this board. But I never got back over there. The lady said they were going to have another sale soon, so I'm thinking that they probably still have the autoclave. If anyone is interested, it would be easy for me to knock on the door and ask if they still have it and how much they want for it. Then maybe we could work something out to make it worth my trouble (There's lots of stuff I don't have that I'd be willing to trade for). Maybe this post should go in the classified section but I'll start it here for now.

Here's my suggestion... don't wait until the next garage sale. Just go over there and tell her you reconsidered and what is her asking price? If she had it out at the garage sale, she's really not going to care how or when it goes, but just wants to get it out. Then you could offer it up over here or sell it on E-Bay. I'm sure with whatever she'd sell it for you'll make a profit. The worst she is going to say is "no" and all you are out is the walk around the corner. We had someone come back after a garage sale, and would have sold the item to her, but unfortunately someone else snagged it. Don't be that person that gets the item you want taken from under you.

[shmgeggie]

Forgive my ignorance but is a pressure cooker really the same thing as an autoclave? The thing I'm talking about looked like an electronic gadget, not a cooking utensil.

[djinkc]

Forgive my ignorance but is a pressure cooker really the same thing as an autoclave? The thing I'm talking about looked like an electronic gadget, not a cooking utensil.

Probably an electric autoclave. Make sure it isn't a chemiclave. They use a nasty ethanol and formaldehyde mix instead of water.

[stangbat]

Forgive my ignorance but is a pressure cooker really the same thing as an autoclave? The thing I'm talking about looked like an electronic gadget, not a cooking utensil.

Essentially. Although when you use it in a laboratory or hospital it gets a fancy name. An autoclave may have some extra parts that are used for sterilizing certain equipment (such as an exhaust tube). I had to buy a canning rack to put in the bottom of mine since it didn't come with one (mine came with an aluminum container). And as DJ pointed out, there are different types. But they both do the same thing in the end.

Edited by stangbat, 14 July 2009 - 12:31 PM.