Dear Louise
If i recall correctly, the reasons and systems required for herceptest  ask
that you use a water bath, just a hypothetical question but doesn't the use
of anything but waterbath negate the method? I am not an advicate of the
herceptest , but since debates have surfaced on this particular system, your
question makes me curious.
by the way my way of antigen de-masking is microwave and in plastic coplin
jars.
                                                      Dana