Blackstone E318 18

In a dental practice, a compact 18-litre Class N autoclave such as the E318 suits the steady flow of solid, unwrapped instruments from examination and restorative trays. The standard UK cycle under HTM 01-05 is 134 to 137 °C held for at least 3 minutes, at 2.1 to 2.2 bar gauge. The E318's 134 °C cycle holds for 10 minutes by default, which clears that minimum comfortably but lengthens every run. Handpieces, lumened suction tips and pouched instruments belong in a vacuum steriliser instead.

Because the unit does not dry its load, the steps after each cycle carry more weight. HTM 01-05 expects instruments from a non-vacuum steriliser to be dried with disposable non-linting cloths, then used, stored or wrapped. Unwrapped instruments may be kept for one day in the clinical area or one week in a non-clinical area. Instruments wrapped after sterilisation can be stored for up to a year under a quality system that tracks dates.

Daily running follows the same guidance. Fill the reservoir with freshly distilled or RO water, drain it at the end of the day, and leave it empty with the door open. An automatic control test is due each day, and every cycle needs a record, whether by printer, data logger or handwritten logbook. As a pressure vessel, the steriliser also needs a written scheme of examination under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.

Medigear.uk has asked Blackstone about recording options, the reservoir and EN 13060 test evidence for the E318, and it will share what comes back with the practice.

Two Temperature Programmes

Cycles at 121 °C and 134 °C cover robust instruments and items whose makers approve only the lower temperature.

Adjustable Hold Times

Holds can be lengthened to 60 minutes at 121 °C or 20 minutes at 134 °C where a load or local policy calls for it.

Pressures That Match the Steam Tables

The chamber pressures quoted for both programmes match saturated steam at the set temperatures.

Automatic Discharge

Listed as standard, which should spare staff from venting or draining by hand, subject to confirmation.

Compact Chamber

Measuring 250 by 350 mm, the chamber suits practices that process solid instruments in small, frequent batches.

Runs From a Standard Socket

At 1500 VA ,,it fits within a 13 A socket on 230 V supplies, and it also supports a 110 to 120 V supply.

Clear Installation Guidance

The drawing sets 10 cm of free space behind, beside and above, which simplifies bench planning.

Fewer Daily Tests

As a non-vacuum steriliser,r it needs the daily automatic control test but not the steam penetration test used on vacuum models.

Chamber

250 × 350 mm, labelled 18 litres.

Temperatures

121 °C and 134 °C.

Hold at 121 °C

30 to 60 minutes.

Hold at 134 °C

10 to 20 minutes.

Pressure

1.1 bar or 2.1 bar.

Drying

Not fitted.

Power

1500 VA.

Net Weight

32 kg.

The E318 is the plainest route into Blackstone's Class N range: an 18-litre chamber, two temperatures with adjustable holds, and pressures that line up with saturated steam. It suits practices that process solid, unwrapped instruments and are set up to dry and wrap them by hand, because the unit itself does not dry. It is not a steriliser for handpieces or pouched sets. For any 18 litre Class N autoclave bound for a UK surgery, a buyer will want the width, the reservoir details, a way to record each cycle, and evidence of testing to EN 13060. Medigear.uk has asked Blackstone for all of it and will pass the answers to the practice's decontamination lead.