Abstract: An apparatus uses microwave radiation to sterilize metal equipment including sharp edged metal equipment having small quantities of water or water containing organisms on the surface of the equipment. No source of bulk water is required to be heated during the sterilization process and no humid environment is required. The microwave radiation is emitted from locations at opposing ends of a wave guide so that the equipment is present at a nodal point of the near electric field component of the microwave radiation. This configuration reduces the electromagnetic field components that induce sparking and avoids the formation of large potential differences induced by the microwave field between the equipment and the microwave cavity walls. In addition the apparatus employs the electron cloud located in the near field of the magnetron to bombard the surface of the equipment.