An autoclave is primarily used for?

• A. Sterilizing articles by steam under pressure and/or dry heat
• B. Measuring temperature
• C. Diagnosing infections
• D. Heating food for distribution

Answer: (A)

An autoclave’s main job is to sterilize articles by using steam under pressure (and, in some cycles, dry heat). The pressure raises the temperature at which steam can act, so saturated steam can reach about 121°C (and higher, with more pressure). The combination of high heat and humidity penetrates loads thoroughly and quickly, killing all microorganisms, including tough spores. While some autoclaves offer dry-heat cycles, the defining use is sterilization with steam under pressure, which is why it’s the best answer.

This isn’t about measuring temperature—that’s the domain of thermometers; it isn’t used to diagnose infections—lab tests detect infections; and it isn’t a device for heating foods for distribution—that role belongs to other food-processing methods.