Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Steam is being tested as a way to treat soil before strawberries are planted, and one California grower reports that his steam-treated plots yielded nearly twice as many organic strawberries as his other plots that year. The result is encouraging, but it comes from a small field effort rather than a controlled study, and the reporting leaves the costs and scale questions open. Steam is an alternative being explored, not a proven replacement for chemical fumigants.
What was tested, and where
The Associated Press reported the story from Watsonville, California, on October 8, 2026. The method is field soil steaming: a machine injects steam into the soil before planting to suppress soil-borne diseases and weeds. Steam has been used for decades in greenhouses, and the current work adapts it to open fields.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The report says four California growers took part in the trials the previous fall. It identifies High Degree, an agriculture startup, as the company testing the steam-powered machine. It does not say whether that machine is available to buy, what it costs, or on what terms it could be obtained.
What growers and researchers reported
- Yield. Longtime strawberry grower Rod Koda said his steam-treated plots were still producing fruit after the usual harvest period. He said they produced nearly twice the amount of organic strawberries as his other plots that year. “It’s a very noticeable difference,” he said. The report does not give the weight, area, or trial table behind that comparison.
- Disease. University of California, Santa Cruz researcher Jenny Broome said the steam-treated plots produced more berries and showed less damage from Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease. This is her observation. The report does not quantify how much the damage was reduced.
These are reported observations from a small set of plots on one farm, alongside trials on four growers’ fields whose results the report does not detail. They do not show that every treated field will see similar gains, and they do not show that all four growers achieved Koda’s result.
#1 Best Overall
- NO DRYING FUNCTION: This steam autoclave completes high-temperature steam cycles but does not dry items. Residual surface moisture may remain after treatment. Use compatible self-sealing sterilization pouches when a drier finish and protected storage are needed.
- TWO TEMPERATURE CYCLES: Select between 121°C for 25 minutes and 134°C for 5 minutes according to the material and applicable processing requirements of the reusable tools or glassware being treated.
- CLEAR STATUS MONITORING: A combined temperature and pressure gauge, LED digital display, and temperature selector allow users to monitor operating conditions throughout the cycle.
- MULTIPLE SAFETY COMPONENTS: Equipped with a manual pressure relief valve, automatic pressure adjustment, overheat protection, and a safety door switch. Always follow the operating manual before opening or servicing the unit.
- 18L CAPACITY WITH ACCESSORIES: The chamber supports batch processing and includes a tray rack, sterilization trays, drainage tube, and power cord. Allow at least 50 cm of suitable installation space around the unit.
Broome also said steam might work for lettuce, carrots, and other high-value crops. That is a prospective idea. The strawberry trials do not test it.
Why growers are looking beyond chemical fumigants
California Strawberry Commission president Rick Tomlinson described the underlying problem: “Fundamentally, there’s this disease in the soil and if you don’t have some solution, you’re just rolling the dice and one of the years you’re going to end up bankrupt.” He said researchers had worked on steam for more than a decade and were now trying to speed up field application.
Rank #2
- Electric Steam Sterilization: The electric-heated design combines heating and the pressure vessel in one unit, reducing the need to coordinate a separate heat source and helping streamline steam-processing tasks in an appropriate workspace.
- Practical 4.7 Gallon (18L) Capacity: The vessel provides useful batch room for arranging suitable items during steam processing, helping users consolidate routine loads while retaining a manageable format for a dedicated work area.
- Work-Ready Stainless Steel Exterior: The stainless steel shell gives the unit a professional exterior and creates a straightforward surface for routine wipe-down care, helping the equipment maintain a clean appearance between uses.
- Dedicated Pressure-Vessel Format: The enclosed pressure-canner design is built for steam processing under pressure, giving buyers a focused equipment format for workflows that call for an electric autoclave rather than an open vessel.
- Purpose-Built Use: Intended for steam sterilization tasks, this electric unit is best placed in a dedicated work area and used with items suitable for pressurized steam processing, keeping the workflow centered on the equipment’s stated function.
The stakes are large. The report says nine out of 10 strawberries grown in the United States come from California, and it puts the state’s strawberry cultivation at about 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares). It also says strawberries were among California’s top 10 commodities in 2025.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →David Andrews, chief science officer for the Environmental Working Group, said, “The economics are shifting.” The report presents environmental advocates’ concerns about fumigant exposure, but it contains no exposure measurements and no regulatory findings. Those concerns should be read as advocacy positions, not established health determinations.
Rank #3
- BABY BOTTLE AND PACIFIER STERILIZER. Sterilize up to six baby bottles at once, plus bottle parts, pacifiers and more.
- SET IT & FORGET IT. Auto shut-off feature helps prevent overheating.
- EASY TO OPERATE. Features easy-touch electronic controls with cycle indicators: heat cycle, cool down cycle, and ready cycle.
- ELIMINATES HARMFUL BACTERIA. Sterilizing eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, mold, and the yeast that causes thrush.
- QUICK STERILIZING. Large capacity allows you to steam sterilize up to six baby bottles at once.
How steam compares with other soil approaches
The report places steam among several approaches to soil disease. It does not compare their economics or outcomes, so most cells below read “not stated.”
| Approach | What the report says | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Field steaming before planting | Injected into soil to suppress soil-borne disease and weeds; trialed by four California growers | Cost per acre, acres treated per day, and energy use: not stated |
| Chemical fumigants | Steam is presented as an alternative to them | Their costs and outcomes compared with steam: not stated |
| Depriving soil of oxygen | Named as another approach to soil disease | Effectiveness and cost in strawberries: not stated |
| More resistant plants | Named as another approach to soil disease | Performance relative to steam: not stated |
Source for all cells: Associated Press, October 8, 2026.
Rank #4
- 【Lighten up】Grownsy’s baby bottle sterilizer is smaller than the rest but holds enough daily feeding supplies and get the job done much quicker. Don’t let a slow bulky sanitizer add extra anxiety to your parenting journey.
- 【Peace of Mind】With Drying function followed automatically after 99.99% steam sterilization, Grownsy’s bottle sanitizer effectively prevents mold from growing inside baby bottles. Build-in filter prevent secondary pollution by exposure to new contamination in the air. Double protection, Twice as much love.
- 【Stop Waiting】 Tired of endless waiting for air-dry? Go for this Grownsy’s electric sterilizer which features a drying function that’s 31% faster than others! Get more sleep or spend some time on a beauty salon. You will glowing with health and come back with better mood.
- 【Universal Fit】 All brands/sizes baby bottles, pacifiers, pump parts, tiny spoons, teethers and even the occasional wine glass may all find a room in your bottle sterilizer. It’s a nice baby shower gift for modern new parents.
- 【Use 3 Ways and 4 Functions】Features only large lower bin, only smaller upper bin and both bin together for different occasions; Use as a Sterilizer & Dryer, Sterilizer Only, Dryer Only or Storage System.
What is still unproven
- Cost-effectiveness. The report gives no machine price, operating cost, or economic comparison. Tomlinson’s comments point to cost and coverage as open challenges.
- Speed and acreage. Covering more acres quickly is named as a hurdle. No field capacity figures are given.
- Energy use. Not reported.
- Fumigant reduction. Whether steam can cut fumigant use across farms is not measured in the report.
- Other crops. Lettuce and carrots remain prospective.
How to judge future steam results
If you are a grower, a researcher, or a reader weighing claims about steam, these questions separate a useful result from an anecdote:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 3-in-1 Wash Bin, Steam Sterilizer & Veggie Steamer: doubles as a wash basin for cleaning baby bottles and accessories, then steam sterilizes—or use it to quickly steam vegetables for added everyday convenience
- Made from 100% Food-Grade Silicone: durable, reusable design safely sanitizes baby bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, and toddler accessories
- Holds Up to Five 5–8 oz Baby Bottles: spacious enough for daily feeding essentials while keeping everything contained for washing and sterilizing
- Space-Saving Collapsible Design: folds down from 5.5" to just 1.88" in height for easy storage in diaper bags, cabinets, or travel luggage
- Compatible with Standard U.S. Microwaves: features cool-touch handles for safe removal and easy pouring of hot water after steaming
- How many plots were treated, and was there an untreated control in the same field?
- Is the yield reported as total weight per plot or per acre, not only as a percentage?
- Were disease levels measured with a defined method, or observed visually?
- What is the full per-acre cost, including fuel, labor, and equipment, and how many acres can be treated in a day?
- Was the result obtained on a soil type and crop similar to yours?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
