How to make a home autoclave from a gas cylinder

Store-bought stew and canned food do not always have high quality, pleasant aroma and good taste. Therefore, many people prefer to prepare products for future use on their own. After all, then it becomes possible to choose your favorite recipes, use only fresh, high-quality products.

To simplify and speed up the canning process, it is recommended to use a special device — an autoclave. At the same time, it is not even necessary to buy it, since you can make an autoclave from a gas cylinder yourself practically from improvised means.

How does a home autoclave work?

The device consists of several key elements:

• metal case;
• devices for pressure control — pressure gauge;
• thermometer to measure temperature;
• safety valve;
• air valve;
• covers.

Stands are usually located inside, and the lid is fastened to the tank with bolts and nuts. The device sterilizes products placed inside. The operation of an autoclave is similar to that of a conventional pressure cooker.

How to use a domestic autoclave:

1. Glass jars are prepared, washed. In accordance with the recipe used, products mixed with spices are placed in them. It is advisable to leave an empty space (1-2 cm) at the top.
2. The containers are rolled up with metal lids using a special machine.
3. The containers are stacked in rows on top of each other inside the autoclave tank.
4. Water is poured into the tank so as to completely cover the jars. It is important not to fill it to the brim, you need to leave about 5-6 centimeters of empty space. It can be a little less, but you need to be careful not to have too little water. Otherwise, the canned food may spoil.
5. The lid is installed and sealed tightly with bolts. The pressure inside the apparatus should be from 1 to 1.5 atmospheres.
6. The device starts heating up gradually. As a result, the internal pressure should reach a level of 3-4 atmospheres. The desired pressure must be maintained for the time required to prepare a particular canned food. The exact duration of sterilization is indicated in the recipe. For example, for beef or pork, it will take about 40-50 minutes, and for poultry, 20 minutes is enough.

After cooking is completed, turn off the device to cool it down. When the temperature drops to at least 30 degrees Celsius, you can take out canned food. But before that, you need to slowly bleed air from the tank using the nipple.

How to make an autoclave from a gas cylinder

To make an autoclave with your own hands, the easiest way is to use an unnecessary propane tank. A big plus is that it is already adapted to interact with high pressure. In addition, it has a convenient cylindrical shape and thick metal walls.

You can use other analogues such as an air receiver for a railway or an industrial fire extinguisher. But the gas bottle is the best.

If you use a tank with a capacity of 24 liters, then 14 half-liter cans can be loaded into it. For the manufacture of a household autoclave, you will need a grinder, a drill and an inverter-type welding machine. Additionally, you need to prepare materials:

• low carbon steel (sheets 1 cm thick) for flanges and manhole;
• 5 mm steel sheets for the manufacture of the neck;
• 3 mm sheets — for a pallet;
• bolts with nuts — 6-8 pieces.

If you plan to install a pressure gauge and a thermometer, then you need to take care of creating nozzles for them. A safety valve should be installed that will allow pressure to be released if the level becomes critical.

The flange can be made in a square shape, since it is easier to make at home. If you wish, you can give it a rounded shape.

First of all, you need to disassemble the gas cylinder, observing all the rules:

1. Unscrew the valve and install the future tank vertically. Fill the container with water.
2. Cut an opening in the shape of a square to create a neck.
3. Drill holes through which the valve and the temperature sensor fitting will be mounted.
4. Burn out the vessel with a burner or blowtorch. This will get rid of the smell of gas, which is impregnated with the walls of the cylinder. You can burn it on a regular fire if there is no lamp or burner.

Then you can proceed directly to the manufacture of the autoclave:

1. Assemble a pallet consisting of metal strips. Fasten them by welding.
2. From 5 mm sheets, form a neck and weld to a gas cylinder.
3. Make a flange and hatch. Make holes for fasteners, as well as a pipe for a pressure gauge. Parts are recommended to be fastened using a clamp.
4. Weld the flange to the neck. The threaded fitting is welded to the cover. They are equipped with safety devices.
5. To regulate and control the temperature, a hole can be made in the middle of the metal case for installing a thermometer.
6. Fasten the air valve.
7. Make a rubber gasket, which should be the same size as the flange.

Safety devices can be mounted anywhere on the cover and the air in/out valve must be placed above the maximum water level. This completes the assembly of a homemade autoclave from a gas cylinder.

The company «UkrPromTeh» offers many models of autoclaves with different characteristics. Therefore, you can always find a device with the necessary parameters. It is absolutely not necessary to make the device yourself, because not everyone has the time, the necessary skills, knowledge, tools and equipment to assemble the device.

It is much easier to buy a ready-made device made by experienced craftsmen. Choose the best model and order through our website. Delivery across all Ukraine.