Hot air sterilizers vs. steam sterilizers

• Hot Air Sterilizers use hot air to sterilize items. They operate at higher temperatures than steam sterilizers.
  They can be effective for sterilization, but some microorganisms may survive at the lower temperatures.
  Hot air sterilizers are often used in laboratories for glassware and metal instruments.


• Steam Sterilizers use steam to sterilize items. They operate at lower temperatures, which can be gentler on certain materials.
  They are generally more effective, as steam allows for better heat transfer and thus ensures a more thorough sterilization.
  Steam sterilizers are widely used in medical facilities, especially for instruments and equipment that are sensitive to heat.

In medical practice, the permissibility of hot air sterilization is increasingly viewed critically. Although this method is recognized when devices have mechanical air movement, it does not meet all the requirements for the sterilization of 'critical' medical devices.

The Medical Device Operator Ordinance (MPBetreibV) refers in § 4 Abs. 2 to the compliance with the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for hygiene in the reprocessing of medical devices. According to point 2.2.4, the RKI prefers thermal sterilization methods with saturated steam (at 121 °C or 134 °C) due to their more reliable effectiveness.

The use of hot air sterilization is not explicitly prohibited, but RKI requirements, especially for documentation and release, can only be partially fulfilled with hot air sterilizers. A risk assessment according to RKI recommendations is required for medical practices, and for the reprocessing of 'critical' medical devices, the RKI recommends the use of steam sterilizers (autoclaves).

The MPBetreibVO (§ 4.2) requires the reprocessing of medical devices taking into account the manufacturer's instructions with suitable validated procedures. The exact definition of a 'validated procedure' is not clear, but some experts interpret it as automatic documentation of the sterilization processes, while others understand it as a reproducible and error-resistant procedure.

The responsibility for reprocessing lies with the operator of the sterilizer, who must conduct an individual risk assessment to select the appropriate procedure for sterilization.