Steam sterilization is a simple, advantageous, and widely used method in the fight against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even spores. A steam sterilizer, commonly called an autoclave, uses steam heated to 250°–275°F under pressure. With the air removed from the autoclave, steam sterilization combines temperature, pressure, and time to reach decontamination.
Compared to dry heat sterilization, steam proves to be not only faster but also more efficient in inactivating all resistant bacterial spores. Only reaching temperatures of 250° upwards ensures that spores are definitely eliminated, as it has been proven that spores still survive at 212°, the temperature of boiling water.