I have been experimenting with a waterbath from Fisher Scientific for heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER).  The specific model number is "ISOTEMP 205".  I use it primarily for the HercepTest, but it appears to work well for other antigens as well.  I have it set at 95 degrees C. and place slides into the hot retrieval solution for a minimum of 20 minutes (40 minutes for HercepTest).  The immunoreactivity on slides treated this way compares favorably with those treated with our Black & Decker "Flavor Scenter Steamers", but with less tissue destruction.

R. Cartun