Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?

I sterilize my neb parts and Aerobika in steam bags with no problem. Add a couple ounces of distilled water to be and pop them in for 3 minutes. Been doing this for months without any trouble. Very convenient for those of us who do not have counter space to accommodate a big sterilizer. I also soak parts in 1 cup vinegar solution 1 cup water every so often to demineralize things.

@equanimous Arlo For the aerobika and neb parts I've been using steam bags in microwave also, specifically the Medela quick clean micro-steam bag. My habit is to soak the parts in hot soapy water, rinse, then into the microwave bag for 3.5 mins using previously boiled water.. According to the manufacturer, each bag can be used 20 times. That's every 10 days if you sterilize after each use. If I did the math right, that's over 36 bags a year! I suppose I could cut down to once a day, then it would be 18 bags.

Here's my question: do you exceed the use # on the bag? It's very tempting.

Someone earlier in this thread talked about covering the parts with water in a microwave safe bowl and nuking it for however many minutes it takes to boil for a few minutes. I have just the right glass PYREX bowl! Anyone tried this?

@equanimous Arlo For the aerobika and neb parts I've been using steam bags in microwave also, specifically the Medela quick clean micro-steam bag. My habit is to soak the parts in hot soapy water, rinse, then into the microwave bag for 3.5 mins using previously boiled water.. According to the manufacturer, each bag can be used 20 times. That's every 10 days if you sterilize after each use. If I did the math right, that's over 36 bags a year! I suppose I could cut down to once a day, then it would be 18 bags.

Here's my question: do you exceed the use # on the bag? It's very tempting.

Someone earlier in this thread talked about covering the parts with water in a microwave safe bowl and nuking it for however many minutes it takes to boil for a few minutes. I have just the right glass PYREX bowl! Anyone tried this?

I use the BOLOLO baby bottle sterilizer once a day at night for that days "parts". I first soak them all for a half hour in hot water and dawn dishwashing liquid, then I rinse thoroughly, then place in the sterilizer; and it does the steam clean first, and then switches to dry. I then push the dry button again to make sure all moisture is off of all the pieces .
I really like this method....the microwave left everything moist and then I had to dry it all on a paper towel...This way is much easier. They come out very clean.

@equanimous Arlo For the aerobika and neb parts I've been using steam bags in microwave also, specifically the Medela quick clean micro-steam bag. My habit is to soak the parts in hot soapy water, rinse, then into the microwave bag for 3.5 mins using previously boiled water.. According to the manufacturer, each bag can be used 20 times. That's every 10 days if you sterilize after each use. If I did the math right, that's over 36 bags a year! I suppose I could cut down to once a day, then it would be 18 bags.

Here's my question: do you exceed the use # on the bag? It's very tempting.

Someone earlier in this thread talked about covering the parts with water in a microwave safe bowl and nuking it for however many minutes it takes to boil for a few minutes. I have just the right glass PYREX bowl! Anyone tried this?

I was informed by another blog that simply Steam microwaving in such a bag for a few minutes is not enough to kill MAC. Can anyone else let us know

@muon which blog? People have varying opinions according to risk level tolerance. If it was on lung matters I've noticed they have zero tolerance for alternatives to boiling. They boil everything -- drinking water, all devices after each and every use. They do not trust any spigot, even if it has been tested. They show setups with dedicated water boilers/sterilizers, usually the instapot. There's certainly something to be said for zero tolerance if it sets your mind at ease.

Instructions with aerobika say microwave steam bags are ok. I boil my devices once a week, and will replace twice a year. No NTM diagnosis so far. If I were getting repeated infections I might consider a zero tolerance plan. It does make sense to be careful, how much varies.

Ah yes, that is correct, it was on lung matters. Thank you for providing this clarification, and glad no NTM!

@muon and @ scoop - I find most inflexible positions/zero tolerance policies on Lung Matters and similar sites to be hard to take. Remember, these are not medical professionals with the backing of research promoting these processes. They are laymen like you and me who have done a fair amount of research. But they "cherry pick" the experts and studies they quote.

We are all different, in our lives, the severity of our condition, our risk tolerance and our time and other resources to follow a specific path. Even the medically trained and experienced specialists at the major treatment centers do not take the same rigid approach.

I have stayed healthy for 4 years with daily cleaning/weekly boiling - MAC is "slow to grow" and experts agree that biofilm does not form instantly to protect it, so requiring daily boiling makes no sense. The same with boiling water that has tested MAC-free coming out of the taps, especially if water heaters are set above 130F.

Five years ago I took to heart my ID doc's advice, "MAC is a disease you will live with, not die from. You need to be reasonably cautious, then go out and live your life."

Sue