> However, prions, such as those associated with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, and some toxins released by certain bacteria, such as Cereulide, may not be destroyed by autoclaving at the typical 134 °C for three minutes or 121 °C for 15 minutes and instead should be immersed in sodium hydroxide (1M NaOH) and heated in a gravity displacement autoclave at 121 °C for 30 min, cleaned, rinsed in water and subjected to routine sterilization.
Seems like we should just burn them like the parent suggested. Prions are no joke.
I thought prions were immune to fire as well, as in Creutzfeldt–Jakob infected cows must not be burned, as the particulates can infect the feed on adjacent and nearby farms.
Prions are just naked proteins. They're scary because that makes them resistant against normal sterilizers like alcohol (nothing to dehydrate), heat (simple enough to not denature easily I guess), radiation (no DNA to damage), etc., but since they're just naked organic molecules, just stick stuff in a strong oxidizer (bleach) for a few minutes if you have a reason to be worried about them.
But also, you probably shouldn't have prions just floating around your environment in the first place.
Mercifully prions are a big deal, not an everyday thing. Autoclavation is an acceptable solution for bacteria but if there's even a hint that prions are involved it's time to bring in the all consuming fire to wipe it off the surface of the planet.
BTW, a non-electronic pressure cooker does exactly that in almost any situation, off-grid and even in the bush.