I used to use a microwave to sterilise soil. Remove worms, damp soil,
plastic tub in tied up polythene bag.
Its easy to spot when the water is boiling-the bag swells up dramatically.
Observe all the time.
The smell is rather like wet soil after rain-not at all offensive. There are
those in our househod who would have noticed if it was.
Good method if you want compost to fill a seed tray, up to 2 litre size pot
etc.

"Frogleg" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 07 Apr 2004 23:39:56 +0100, Peter Ramm
wrote:

A friend of mine is using an old microwave to sterilise soil before
using for cuttings/seeds etc. in his greenhouse.

Is it worth doing?

Any comments?

It is extremely stinky to heat/sterilize soil. If the old m'wave is in
a shed, it should be OK, but I sure wouldn't want to do it in my
kitchen!