WFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q02339

I want to know what way the steripeel is facing when you put in a rack for sterilisation

if by steripeel you mean a paper/plastic combination, it should either be vertical or sideways in a rack, or paper side down, as this is where drainage takes place (plastic side down would tend to hold water and delay drying)

Dear Emilio,

Peel packs should be placed on edge, with paper to plastic.
If they can not stand on edge, they should be placed with the paper side UP to avoid condensation remaining trapped inside the pouches.

Hi Emilio,
I have seen this question so many times. You need to follow Australian standards, (4187) where it tells you paper to laminate standing on the side, or laying flat with paper side down. You will always get different opinions on this so I would advise to follow the relevant standard for the country you are working in.

Hi Emillio,

You can do a experiment. Using two pack of heaver same setting instruments, put them in the steriliser with one pack paper facing up and another one facing down. After sterilising if you find a wet pack, it sould be on the one paper facing down.
I think the reason is when steam contact to metal, condensation and evaporation happen in the same time. But paper will absorb the steam and keep the moisture. During the drying time, if paper is facing up, the pack will be dry quicker.
We can think about cooking. Heating remain water in a pan, if we cover a lid(condition like laminate placed face up), the steam or moisture will stay in the evaporation-> condensation and then again, take longer time to dry. But if we heat the pan without a lid on, moisture will escape very quick. so I agree with Pete Bobb.