Sterilizing cutting tools.

[BettyE]

I ALWAYS flame my small stainless steel cutters, or I sometimes use de-natured alcohol if my hubby is using my small torch. I bake my clay pots in my bar-b-que at 350 degrees for an hour; let them cool before taking them out. I put them in the cool bar-b-que, then start timing when it comes up to temperature. BettyE.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

To answer my own question, I have decided to get Corona FS4350 and Corona FS4310 shears for evaluation.
Products : Corona Tools USA
They still have a plastic handle but it may be far enough from the blade to not be damaged and even if the plastic handle does melt it can be removed and not impare functionality.

For a torch I have decided to get an Iwatani chef's torch:
Amazon.com: Iwatani Torch Burner Professional #Cb-tc-pro: Kitchen & Dining

David, Fiskar makes a very similar clipper for less than half the price.

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by glengary54

David, Fiskar makes a very similar clipper for less than half the price.

The prices on the Corona company website are full retail price, on Amazon you can buy them for less than 1/2 of that price.

The next problem that I want to address is that the tools still rust even though I am not using hypochlorite. I was looking for rust preventatives and it seems that lanolin is effective (and should not harm plants) so I plan to buy a commercial rust preventative formulated with lanolin as the active ingredient.

[Oscarman]

There are many wonderful things we offer on the OB and I am always happy to see that when search for orchid info it always leads to the OB.

So I am search for the effectiveness of Virkon to irradicate virus and other diseases and here I am again!

This thread has many excellent comments and advice - thank you all for your contributions.

What about the use of 70% USP Isopropyl alcohol for tool sterilization. Can anyone comment on the anti-viral effectiveness of tool storage or dip in this product? Can viruses survive? Does it take a short dip, or long term storage? Thx

[Leafmite]

The problem with using alcohol is that it is most effective with viruses that have an envelope (lipid covering) but most plant viruses don't seem to be this type. Alcohol does a great job with fungus and bacteria that affect plants (and even people) as long as there is enough exposure.

[BettyE]

I NEVER pre-heat the oven when I bake my clay orchid pots. Pre-heating can weaken or crack a pot...especially when there is any moisture in the pot. This is something which I learned many years ago, dealing with stoneware/porcelain ware.I put my pots into the gas bar-b-que, close it up, and fire it up for an hour. 350 degrees...and let them cool naturally before removing. I use a bleach solution (10% for twenty minutes ) to sterilize clean plastic pots. These methods have worked for me for over 45 yrs...and I've not had even one case of virus...Just my opinion. BettyE

[DavidCampen]

I had been sterilizing my cutting shears by soaking in permanganate solution followed by a dip in a solution of water, isopropanol and physan 20 (the isopropanol to destroy any remaining permanganate) but I found this to be slow and cumbersome. So I have switched to flaming my shears, they of course don't get red hot but I spend perhaps 15 seconds playing the flame on both sides and cutting edges of the shears - I hope that this is enough.

I am using this butane torch:
Iwatani Torch Burner Professional #Cb-tc-pro: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining
You aren't restricted to using only butane cylinders from this brand - a number of equivalent cylinders are available under different brand names, you can find them in most any Asian food store. This torch is convenient to use; I can manipulate it - open valve, ignite, close valve - all with one hand.

I use these shears:Amazon.com: Corona Clipper #FS 4350 Thinning Shear: Home Improvement
I have 3 of these that I rotate through as I am working so that each has time to cool after flaming before I use it again.

[JaneEyre]

I have stainless steel shears with plastic handles that I use for orchids only. After each orchid I scrub them with a scouring pad and soap. I thoroughly rinse with water and then I use small butane torch for 15 to 30 seconds on each blade. The blades get very hot but never red. I hope it is enough.

[Island Girl]

I know this is an old thread, but David (or anyone else?) would the potassium permanganate be effective enough on its own to sterilize tools? (with the dip in the 70% rubbing alcohol to destroy the P.P. so as to not stain everything ~as David C. mentioned~)

I'm looking for something that travels (8 hours in a car) better than a blow-torch (at least for this coming summer... After that, I have an acetylene blow torch that I'm perfectly comfortable using)

[BettyE]

For what it's worth, I have used a small spray bottle filled with alcohol. It does the trick, and is easy to carry around...Sometimes I DO flame cutting tools, when I have the time...BettyE