Abstract: A microwave apparatus is used to pasteurize eggs. The apparatus may include means for preferentially microwave-heating yolk of the eggs. The albumen may be separately heated or may be precooled. Alternatively, the albumen may be heated by diffusion from the yolk in one or more stages or may be heated in an additional stage along with the yolk.

Abstract: A portable apparatus which produces high temperature and pressure steam derived from a microwave energy source for the rapid sterilization of medical and dental appliances. Items to be sterilized are placed in a detachable high pressure chamber which is then attached to the microwave powered steam source. Microwave energy is coupled into a guiding structure containing a shaped impedance transformation element so that essentially all of the microwave energy is transferred to a reaction fluid contained in a holder at the end of the matching element. The reaction fluid is rapidly vaporized and the resulting vapors rapidly expand into the chamber through a metal screen that also prevents transmission of microwave energy. Pressure temperature values internal to the chamber are used to control application of microwave power thereby maintaining an optimum micro-organism kill condition for a prescribed time interval.