Apparatus and method for sterilizing items

A one atmosphere sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing at least one item, comprising:

• an enclosure having an inner wall defining an interior chamber adapted to hold the item being sterilized, the enclosure capable of withstanding an operational temperature of above 100° C. at one atmosphere and configured to maintain a pressure of one atmosphere in the enclosure;
• at least one door for selectively accessing the interior chamber;
• a first fluid source in selective fluid communication with the interior chamber for supplying a first working fluid to the interior chamber;
• a heater for heating fluid in the interior chamber, the heater being capable of heating the first working fluid to the operational temperature of above 100° C. at one atmosphere, and the heater being capable of maintaining the first working fluid at the operational temperature of above 100° C. at one atmosphere in the interior chamber;
• a pump for moving fluid in the interior chamber by the heater;
• and at least one one-way, one atmosphere check valve projecting through the inner wall of the enclosure allowing unobstructed and continuous fluid communication between the interior chamber and the exterior of the interior chamber, the valve configured to continuously vent fluid in the interior chamber to the exterior of the interior chamber at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere, the valve further configured to allow for continuously increasing the concentration of the first working fluid in the interior chamber, wherein the heater is adapted to heat the first working fluid in the interior chamber to the operational temperature and the valve maintains the pressure in the interior chamber at approximately one atmosphere.