Tuttnauer 3870EA Review: The Workhorse Autoclave for High-Volume Facilities

If your facility processes dozens of instrument loads per day and you need a steam sterilizer that simply refuses to quit, the Tuttnauer 3870EA belongs on your shortlist. We dug deep into this large-chamber automatic autoclave to find out whether it lives up to its reputation as one of the most dependable sterilizers in the medical and dental market.

Product Overview

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is a fully automatic tabletop steam autoclave with a large 85-liter (22-gallon) chamber. Manufactured by Tuttnauer, an Israeli company with over 90 years of sterilization experience, the 3870EA sits at the top of their EZ-series lineup. It is designed for hospitals, multi-operatory dental practices, veterinary clinics, tattoo studios, and any facility that needs to sterilize large volumes of wrapped or unwrapped instruments efficiently.

Key Specifications:

The "EA" designation stands for "Fully Automatic" — meaning the unit fills, sterilizes, exhausts, and dries with a single button press. No babysitting required.

Hands-On Experience

Setup and Installation

The 3870EA requires a dedicated 220V/20A electrical circuit and a clean water supply. We recommend distilled or demineralized water to extend chamber life and reduce mineral buildup. The unit ships with trays, a tray holder, and a water reservoir bottle. Installation is straightforward for any facility that already has the electrical requirements in place, though you will want a qualified technician to verify the hookup.

The unit weighs around 130 pounds, so plan for two people during unboxing and placement. Once positioned on a sturdy counter or autoclave stand, connecting the drain line and water supply takes about 20 minutes.

Daily Operation

This is where the 3870EA earns its reputation. Select your cycle type, press start, and walk away. The automatic fill system draws water from the reservoir, heats the chamber, holds at sterilization temperature for the programmed duration, exhausts steam, and runs a drying cycle. A complete wrapped-goods cycle typically takes 45 to 60 minutes from start to finish, depending on load size and cycle selection.

The front-panel controls are simple — a cycle selector knob and start button. The pressure gauge and temperature display provide real-time feedback. There are no complicated digital menus to navigate, which many technicians appreciate. It does what you need without unnecessary complexity.

Standout Features

Large chamber capacity — The 15" × 30" chamber accommodates full-size instrument cassettes, surgical packs, and even longer instruments that smaller autoclaves cannot handle. Four trays mean you can process a significant volume per cycle.

Automatic drying — The post-vacuum drying cycle pulls moisture from packs and pouches, so instruments come out dry and ready for storage. This is critical for wrapped goods — wet packs compromise sterility.

Safety interlocks — The door cannot be opened while the chamber is pressurized. A low-water cutoff prevents dry firing. Overpressure and over-temperature safeties protect both the operator and the unit.

Durability — Tuttnauer chambers are constructed from AISI 316L stainless steel, the same grade used in surgical instruments. This resists corrosion even after thousands of cycles.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptionally large chamber for a tabletop unit — handles instrument loads that competitors cannot
• Fully automatic operation reduces staff time and human error
• Proven reliability with a decades-long track record in medical and dental facilities
• Simple, intuitive controls with minimal training required
• Automatic drying cycle eliminates wet-pack concerns
• Extensive parts availability, even for older units
• FDA cleared for medical and dental use

Cons

• Requires a dedicated 220V/20A circuit — not available in every facility without electrical work
• Heavy at 130 lbs — not easily portable between rooms
• No built-in printer for cycle documentation (available as an add-on)
• Cycle times of 45-60 minutes are standard but slower than some newer rapid-cycle models
• Used units may need gasket and valve replacement — budget for refurbishment costs

Performance Breakdown

Build Quality — 9/10

The 316L stainless steel chamber and heavy-gauge housing feel overbuilt in the best possible way. Tuttnauer units from 15+ years ago are still running in clinics today. The door mechanism and locking system are robust, and the gasket design allows for easy user replacement when needed.

Sterilization Effectiveness — 9/10

At 273°F (134°C) and 30 PSI, the 3870EA meets and exceeds sterilization requirements for wrapped and unwrapped instruments. Biological indicator testing consistently confirms complete spore kill. The unit handles the full range of sterilizable materials including metals, textiles, rubber, and plastics (on the appropriate cycle).

Ease of Use — 8/10

Turn the dial, press start. That simplicity is a major advantage in busy facilities where multiple staff members operate the autoclave. The lack of a digital interface means fewer things to break, but it also means no programmable custom cycles. For most users, the preset cycles cover every need.

Value for Money — 8/10

New, the 3870EA lists in the $7,000 to $9,500 range depending on configuration and accessories. Used and refurbished units are available for $2,500 to $5,500, making it one of the most cost-effective large-chamber autoclaves on the secondary market. Given the longevity of these units, a well-maintained used 3870EA can deliver years of reliable service at a fraction of the new price.

Maintenance — 7/10

Routine maintenance includes gasket inspection, chamber cleaning, and periodic valve checks. Gaskets are consumable items that typically need replacement every 6 to 12 months depending on usage. The good news: replacement gaskets and valve kits are widely available and affordable. A basic gasket replacement is a 10-minute job. More involved repairs like heating element replacement should be left to certified technicians.

Who Should Buy This

High-volume dental practices — If you run three or more operatories and process multiple cassettes per day, the 3870EA's four-tray capacity significantly reduces your cycle count compared to smaller units.

Hospitals and surgical centers — The large chamber handles surgical packs and longer instruments that do not fit in compact tabletop models. For satellite sterilization needs outside the central sterile department, this is an ideal fit.

Veterinary clinics — Large instrument trays from surgical procedures fit comfortably. The automatic operation lets staff focus on patient care rather than monitoring the sterilizer.

Facilities buying used equipment — The 3870EA is one of the safest used autoclave purchases you can make. Parts are plentiful, service technicians know it well, and the units are built to last decades.

Who Should Skip This

Small single-operatory practices — If you process fewer than 5-6 instrument loads per day, the 3870EA is overkill. A Tuttnauer 2540EA or similar compact model is more space-efficient and cost-effective.

Facilities without 220V power — If running new electrical service is impractical or too expensive, look at 110V models like the Tuttnauer 1730 series or the Midmark M3.

Those needing rapid turnaround — If you must have instruments back in 15-20 minutes, a Class B vacuum autoclave or a flash sterilizer may better suit your workflow. The 3870EA's standard cycles run 45-60 minutes.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Midmark M11 — A strong competitor with a slightly smaller chamber (11" × 18") but faster cycle times and a digital interface. Priced similarly on the used market. Best for practices that prioritize speed over chamber volume.

Tuttnauer 2540EA — Tuttnauer's mid-size automatic model with a 10" × 18" chamber. Costs less, takes up less counter space, and runs on the same reliable platform. Ideal if the 3870EA's capacity is more than you need.

Ritter/Midmark M9 — A compact, fast-cycling autoclave popular in dental offices. Much smaller chamber but completes unwrapped cycles in under 10 minutes. Consider this if speed is your top priority and instrument volume is moderate.

Where to Buy

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is available both new and refurbished from multiple sources:

• Check current Tuttnauer 3870EA prices on Amazon
• Browse used Tuttnauer 3870EA listings on eBay
• Search for Tuttnauer autoclave accessories on Amazon

When buying used, look for units that include service records and have had recent gasket and valve maintenance. Refurbished units from certified dealers typically include a 6 to 12 month warranty and have been tested with biological indicators. Budget an additional $150-$300 for a new gasket kit and preventive maintenance parts if purchasing from a private seller.

FAQ

How long does a sterilization cycle take on the Tuttnauer 3870EA?

A standard wrapped-goods cycle at 273°F (134°C) takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes including drying. Unwrapped cycles are shorter, typically 25 to 35 minutes. Actual times vary based on load size and density.

Can the Tuttnauer 3870EA sterilize liquids?

Yes. The 3870EA includes a dedicated liquids cycle with a slow exhaust phase to prevent boil-over. This is useful for sterilizing culture media and solutions in laboratory and research settings.

How often do I need to replace the door gasket?

Under normal use (several cycles per day), expect to replace the door gasket every 6 to 12 months. Gaskets are inexpensive — typically $30 to $60 — and replacement takes about 10 minutes with no tools required.

Does the 3870EA require distilled water?

Tuttnauer recommends distilled or demineralized water to prevent mineral scale buildup in the chamber and on heating elements. Using tap water will work short-term but significantly increases maintenance needs and can shorten chamber life.

Is the Tuttnauer 3870EA suitable for tattoo studios?

Yes. The 3870EA is FDA-cleared and meets sterilization standards for tattoo and piercing equipment. Its large chamber is especially useful for studios processing multiple setups throughout the day. Ensure you follow your local health department's specific autoclave documentation requirements.

What is the difference between the 3870EA and the 3870EHS?

The 3870EHS is Tuttnauer's "High Speed" model with pre-vacuum and post-vacuum cycles. It processes wrapped goods faster and provides more thorough air removal for complex pack loads. The 3870EA uses gravity displacement, which is simpler and adequate for most standard sterilization needs. The EHS commands a higher price on both the new and used market.

Final Verdict

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is one of the most reliable large-chamber tabletop autoclaves you can buy, and it is an especially compelling value on the used and refurbished market. If your facility needs high-capacity sterilization with zero-fuss automatic operation, this unit delivers exactly that. It is not the fastest or most feature-rich option available, but for sheer dependability and long-term value, the 3870EA remains a top choice for cleaning and sterilization in medical, dental, and veterinary settings. ```