Back in April, we mentioned that you probably shouldn’t attempt to sterilize disposable N95 respirators in your home oven, but we also provided guidance on how to do it if you were really determined. However, now the United States Department of Homeland Security has come up with a more reliable method for decontaminating these masks at home using a programmable pressure cooker equipped with a sous-vide setting, such as the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus. This technique allows you to reuse a disposable respirator up to five times.
If you happened to purchase a multi-cooker during the pandemic because we suggested trying sous-vide cooking for meats, you can feel proud knowing you’ve got a tool that could help in an emergency situation.
Why the multi-cooker method works:
N95 masks are labeled as single-use for good reasons. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, essential workers have faced severe shortages of these masks. Therefore, the Instant Pot decontamination method should only be used when absolutely necessary—not just for fun or convenience.
In fact, the DHS FAQ states, “The only time one should consider decontaminating them for reuse is in critical supply shortage situations where there is a need for respiratory protection and mask supplies are not sufficient to provide protection to those who need it.â€
This multi-cooker method works by rapidly heating and maintaining the temperature at 149 °F (65 °C) for 30 minutes. The key here is the moist heat, and using a paper bag is crucial for this process. Placing your N95s in a paper bag ensures that some steam can penetrate and disinfect the masks without causing excessive moisture damage.
This method should work for most N95s, but it isn’t approved for other types of masks. Additionally, it’s important to note that this method has not been approved by the FDA.
Using an Instant Pot for Mask Decontamination:
To decontaminate your masks at home, you’ll need the following items:
- An Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus or another programmable pressure cooker with a sous vide feature.
- A rack for the cooker, which should have been included in the box.
- Small binder clips, for raising the rack to the appropriate level.
- Distilled, bottled, or filtered water.
- Paper bags small enough to fit in the cooker.
- Staples or paper clips to close the bag.
- Disposable gloves.
The process itself is quite straightforward, and you can decontaminate up to three masks at once:
1. Pour about half an inch of water into the bottom of the pot.
2. Place the rack in the pot, ensuring it’s positioned high enough to keep the paper bag from touching the water. If needed, attach small binder clips to the bottom of the rack to serve as "legs."
3. Place up to three nested masks in the paper bag. Homeland Security recommends wearing gloves while doing this and handling the masks with only one hand.
4. Dispose of your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.
5. Roll up the top of the bag and seal it with a staple or paperclip.
6. Place the bag on the rack inside the cooker and secure the lid.
7. Set the sous vide function to 149 °F (65 °C) for 30 minutes.
8. Start the cook cycle.
Once the cycle is complete, remove the bag (the cooker should not be pressurized), take out the masks, and let them dry in a clean place for about an hour.
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After the mask has dried, inspect it for any signs of damage. If the mask appears undamaged, it’s safe to wear again!
It's worth noting that this method offers a practical solution in emergencies, but always prioritize obtaining new, properly certified masks whenever possible.
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