If the authorities only want the pots disinfected then the methods mentioned
below will probably be ok. If they want the pots sterilised then that is a
whole different matter!

Regards

Mike Bennett. UK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Dowdell"
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 4:33 AM
Subject: [IBC] Sterilising pots?


On Wed, 23 Jul 2003 23:01:27 -0400, Nicolas Steenhout
wrote:


Sooo, my plan is to soak the pots in a solution of 1oz bleach per gallon
of
water, for 10 minutes, then air dry. This is what I would do for mead
and
beer brewing (though for brewing I'd rinse in a lots of clear water
before
drying).

Thoughts?

Nicolas

Nic,

A 10% bleach solution is often recommended for sterilizing cutting
boards after cutting up raw chicken or other
meats so it should work for sterilizing your pots. Of course there is no
guarantee that bleach will kill every kind of
organism but it is effective against the majority of bacteria. Another
sterilant is a strong ethanol solution. In our lab
we use 70% ethanol to sterilize against molds and bateria. It may be a
non-standard use for vodka (whatever its
EtOH content), but it should work as well.

Best wishes in bonsai,
Les Dowdell
who only uses ethanol as a sterilant.


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