The best study / meta-study is this one from June 2020: "Nebuliser hygiene in cystic fibrosis: evidence-based recommendations," in Breathe (Sheff). 2020 Jun; 16(2): 190328.

There is a LOT in this piece but here's a relevant snippet:

"Steam disinfection with the aid of “baby bottle steam sterilisers” is an effective method for disinfection of nebuliser devices, as detailed (table 4). Whilst commercially termed a “steriliser” by the CF community and patients, this method is a disinfection method rather than a sterilisation method. This difference in terminology has important microbiological significance as to the anticipated outcome."

Table 4 indicates its effectiveness at killing of a wide range of bacterial pathogens, including:

Mycobacterium abscessus abscessus
Mycobacterium abscessus bolletii
Mycobacterium abscessus massiliense
Mycobacterium abscessus/chelonae
Mycobacterium avium intracellulare
Mycobacterium chelonae

-- and also notes:

"P. aeruginosa (mucoid, nonmucoid) and nontuberculous mycobacteria were not detected in either wet or dry fully assembled nebulisers following steam disinfection even in the presence of sputa"

They tested using the Wabi baby unit, but note that "Different brands of steam disinfectors performed effectively." They also note that these devices are pretty cheap, far more convenient than other cleaning protocols, and operate in such a way that pathogens cannot "enter during prior stages (tap water, residual sputum, detergent, handling, etc.)" -- and that you can store your items in it for up to 24 hours w/out fear of contamination by storing in plastic containers, baggies, other surfaces.

The article concludes with the strong, evidence-based recommendation to use a bottle sterilizing units for home cleaning of nebulizers (and other equipment, one can extrapolate). Figure 1 (attached) is a nice graphic of the cleaning protocol they recommend. The audience for the article are CF patients, but there is no reason it wouldn't apply to our group as well 🙂

I did a deep dive into cleaning methods when I got my MAC diagnosis on top of Bronchiectasis, and decided to go with a baby-bottle sterilizer (microwave looked good for me too, but would have meant traveling downstairs every time I wanted to clean). I then did product research and purchased this unit (there were other good ones out there but I liked this because of it's relatively low profile) : Philips AVENT Premium Baby Bottle Sterilizer with Dryer.

I usually swish stuff around in a soapy-water tub and rinse before I put it in the unit. The full steam-to-dry cycle takes a full 40 minutes, with 10 minutes of sterilizing and 30 minutes of drying. I imagine it does meet the 10 minute boiling threshold...?