You know that a functional autoclave sterilizer is essential to a safe, productive dental practice, and you want to ensure that your dental autoclave operates smoothly. You've heard that regular autoclave maintenance is important.

But with the hectic schedule of a typical day at the office, plus the challenge of finding time for family, friends, and continuing education outside of work, it can be difficult to track your autoclave's maintenance.

We're here to help! Our dental technicians have compiled a guide to the most important maintenance guidelines for 3 popular autoclave sterilizers: STATIM 2000 and 5000 units, Midmark Ultraclave units, and Pelton & Crane units.

We've also created an autoclave maintenance checklist. We encourage you to download and print the checklist so you and your staff can begin logging your regular maintenance today:

Midmark Ultraclave Maintenance

• Wash external housing with quaternary disinfectants.
• Clean gaskets with soap and distilled water. Replace damaged gaskets.

• Drain and clean water reservoir and refill with clean, distilled water.
• Wash trays, rack, and plate with soap and distilled water.
• Clean chamber with sterilizer cleaner.

• Clean filter screens (fill/vent and air) with Speed-Clean and distilled water.
• Inspect pressure relief valve for damage and replace if necessary.
• Clean boiler ring with non-chlorine solution and metal-free scouring pad.

Pelton & Crane Autoclave Maintenance

• Clean door gasket with soap and distilled water. Replace damaged gasket.
• Inspect door latch and door switch for proper operation and replace if necessary.
• Clean chamber with sterilizer cleaner.

• Remove and clean the chamber water filter using an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Inspect safety valve for damage and replace if necessary.
• Clean boiler ring with non-chlorine solution and metal-free scouring pad.

• Compressor air filter
• HEPA filter
• Check valve

STATIM Autoclave Maintenance

• Clean cassette gasket with soap and distilled water. Replace damaged gasket.
• Drain and clean water reservoir and strainer filter. Replace filter and refill reservoir with clean, distilled water.

• Replace compressor air filter.
• Replace biological filter.
• Replace cassette gasket.
• Clean the water pump filters.

• Inspect cassette for damage and replace if necessary.
• Inspect solenoid valve for damage and replace if necessary.
• Inspect biological filter and replace if necessary.
• Inspect check valve for damage and replace if necessary.

Track Your Progress

We hope you've found this guide helpful. Download our maintenance checklist found at the beginning of this post to track your progress, and don't be afraid to ask a dental technician for help.

If during your inspections you or your technician decide that your autoclave simply needs to be replaced, find out how to pick a replacement here.