Way overkill. Laboratory autoclaves, and also the pressure cookers used for flasking, get no where near that temperature. Nor do they need to spend all that much time at temperature. 300F for half an hour is more than adequate (probably also excessive) for all disinfection needs, including virus destruction - after all, they're just nucleic acids surrounded by protein.
The high temp (of the self cleaning cycle) is not just for disinfection. It burns off any roots, etc. clinging to the pot. There is nothing left but ashes. Besides, the oven gets cleaned. As for the prior comment about fumes, it is no worse than when cleaning the oven. As for the prior comment about cost, it is cheaper than chemicals. For growers with hundreds of clay pots to clean, this is probably not the best way for you. But then commercial growers have many concerns that hobbyists don't.
Use whatever you feel comfortable with.
Mike _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
