Tuttnauer 3870EA Review: The Workhorse Autoclave Your Facility Needs

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If your clinic, dental office, or surgical center processes a high volume of instruments every day, you already know that a small tabletop autoclave simply cannot keep up. The Tuttnauer 3870EA is built for exactly this problem — a large-chamber, fully automatic steam sterilizer designed for facilities that need serious throughput without sacrificing reliability.

We thoroughly researched this unit across clinical settings, user feedback, and technical documentation to give you an honest assessment of whether the 3870EA deserves a spot in your sterilization room.

Product Overview

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is a large-capacity automatic autoclave from Tuttnauer, an Israeli manufacturer with over 95 years of experience in sterilization equipment. The "EA" designation stands for "Fully Automatic Electronic," meaning the unit handles the entire sterilization cycle — from filling and heating to sterilizing, exhausting, and drying — at the press of a button.

Key Specifications:

Chamber size: 15" x 30" (38 cm x 76 cm)
Chamber volume: 85 liters (22.5 gallons)
Chamber material: AISI 316L stainless steel
Number of trays: Up to 6 standard trays
Sterilization temperature: 250°F (121°C) and 273°F (134°C)
Cycle types: Wrapped, unwrapped, textile, rubber/plastics, liquid
Drying system: Post-vacuum drying with exhaust fan
Power: 220V, single-phase
Approvals: FDA cleared, UL/CSA listed, CE marked

This is not a compact countertop unit. The 3870EA sits in the mid-range between tabletop sterilizers and full-size hospital autoclaves, making it ideal for multi-operatory dental practices, ambulatory surgery centers, veterinary clinics, and outpatient medical facilities.

Hands-On Experience

Setup and Installation

The 3870EA ships as a standalone unit that requires a dedicated 220V electrical circuit and a water supply connection. Most facilities have it installed by an authorized Tuttnauer distributor, which we strongly recommend. The plumbing connections are straightforward, but proper leveling and electrical hookup matter for long-term performance. Plan for a half-day installation window.

Once connected, the initial setup involves running a few test cycles to verify temperature and pressure calibration. The digital control panel walks you through cycle selection with a simple interface — nothing overly complicated, but the user manual is worth reading before your first real load.

Daily Use

Loading the 3870EA is where the large chamber really pays off. With six tray positions and a 15-inch diameter opening, you can process full cassettes of surgical instruments, dental handpiece pouches, and wrapped packs in a single run. In a busy dental practice running eight or more operatories, this means fewer cycles per day and less time waiting on instruments.

The automatic cycle operation is genuinely hands-off. Select your cycle type (wrapped goods at 273°F is the most common), press start, and walk away. The unit fills its own water, heats to the programmed temperature, holds for the sterilization phase, exhausts steam, and runs the drying cycle. A typical wrapped-goods cycle completes in approximately 45 to 55 minutes, including drying.

The built-in printer produces a paper record of each cycle with time, temperature, and pressure data — essential for compliance documentation. If your state or accreditation body requires sterilization logs, this feature saves significant administrative effort compared to manual recording.

Standout Features

The closed-door drying system is a genuine advantage over many competitors in this price range. Rather than requiring you to crack the door open for drying (which introduces room air and potential contamination), the 3870EA uses an exhaust fan and post-vacuum process to dry packs inside the sealed chamber. Wrapped instruments come out dry and ready for storage.

The multi-cycle programming deserves mention as well. Five preset cycle types cover virtually every material you will encounter in a clinical setting. The liquid cycle with slow exhaust is particularly useful for facilities that sterilize media or solutions — not every autoclave in this class offers it.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Large 85-liter chamber handles high instrument volume efficiently
Fully automatic operation reduces staff time and human error
Closed-door drying keeps packs sterile after the cycle
Built-in printer for compliance documentation
Multiple cycle presets for different material types
AISI 316L stainless steel chamber resists corrosion
Strong track record for reliability over 10+ year service life
Widely available replacement parts and service network

Cons:

Significant upfront cost, even on the used market ($4,000–$8,000 used, $12,000+ new)
Requires 220V dedicated circuit — not plug-and-play
Physical footprint is substantial; measure your sterilization area carefully
Cycle times of 45–55 minutes are standard but not the fastest in the category
The built-in printer uses thermal paper that fades over time — consider supplementing with digital logs
Older units may need door gasket replacement, which runs approximately $150–$300 for the part

Performance Breakdown

Build Quality: 9/10 Tuttnauer builds these units to last. The 316L stainless chamber resists pitting and corrosion even after years of daily use. The door mechanism is robust, though the gasket is a consumable item that needs periodic replacement. Many facilities report 15+ years of service from well-maintained units.

Sterilization Effectiveness: 9/10 When properly loaded and maintained, the 3870EA consistently meets sterilization parameters. Biological indicator testing (which you should be running weekly) confirms reliable kill rates. The dual-temperature capability (250°F and 273°F) covers standard and flash sterilization needs.

Ease of Use: 8/10 The control panel is intuitive for a unit of this complexity. Cycle selection is straightforward, and the automatic operation means minimal training for staff. The slight learning curve involves understanding proper loading techniques — overloading or improper pack placement can compromise drying performance.

Value for Money: 8/10 New, the 3870EA is a serious investment. On the used market, however, these units represent outstanding value. A well-maintained used 3870EA at $5,000–$7,000 delivers the same sterilization performance as units costing twice that price. The key is verifying service history and gasket condition before purchase.

Maintenance: 7/10 Daily maintenance involves draining the reservoir and wiping the chamber — about five minutes. Weekly and monthly tasks include cleaning the strainer, checking the door gasket, and running biological indicators. Annual professional service is recommended. Parts availability is excellent through Tuttnauer's distributor network, which is a significant advantage over lesser-known brands.

Who Should Buy This

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is the right autoclave for:

Multi-operatory dental practices processing six or more operatories worth of instruments daily
Ambulatory surgery centers that need reliable, high-volume sterilization without a full central sterile department
Veterinary clinics handling a mix of surgical instruments and wrapped packs
Facilities upgrading from a tabletop unit that can no longer keep up with patient volume
Budget-conscious buyers who want hospital-grade sterilization at a fraction of the cost by purchasing used or refurbished

Who Should Skip This

This is not the right unit if:

You run a small solo practice — a tabletop autoclave like the Tuttnauer 2540M handles low volume more efficiently and costs far less
Your facility lacks 220V electrical service — installing a dedicated circuit adds to the total cost
You need a Class B vacuum autoclave for hollow instruments or complex implant trays — the 3870EA is a gravity/exhaust-style unit, not a pre-vacuum sterilizer
Space is extremely limited — this unit needs adequate clearance for ventilation, door opening, and loading

Alternatives Worth Considering

Midmark M11 UltraClave: If you need a smaller footprint with faster cycle times, the M11 offers 11" x 18" chamber capacity with cycles as short as 10 minutes for unwrapped instruments. It handles lower volume but fits into tighter spaces. Check current prices on Amazon.

Tuttnauer EZ10: For practices that want Tuttnauer quality in a true tabletop format, the EZ10 is a fully automatic 10-inch chamber unit. It cannot match the 3870EA's throughput, but it costs significantly less and runs on standard electrical. Browse autoclaves to compare options.

Ritter/Midmark M9: Another popular tabletop alternative with a 9" x 15" chamber. Excellent build quality and fast cycles, but the smaller chamber means more loads per day for high-volume practices.

Where to Buy

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is available both new and used through several channels:

Used and refurbished units frequently appear on eBay from medical equipment dealers. Expect to pay $4,000–$8,000 depending on age, condition, and included accessories. Always ask for service records and verify the door gasket condition. Search current eBay listings for the Tuttnauer 3870EA.
New units are available through authorized Tuttnauer distributors. New pricing typically starts around $12,000–$14,000. Check Amazon for availability and pricing.
Refurbished with warranty — several specialized medical equipment refurbishers offer the 3870EA with 6- to 12-month warranties, which is a smart middle ground between used and new.

When buying used, prioritize units that include the original trays, tray rack, and built-in printer. Replacement trays alone can cost $50–$100 each, and you will want all six.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 55 minutes including drying. Unwrapped cycles are shorter at roughly 25 to 35 minutes. Liquid cycles with slow exhaust take the longest at around 60 to 75 minutes.

Can I use tap water in the Tuttnauer 3870EA?

Tuttnauer recommends using distilled or demineralized water to prevent mineral buildup and extend chamber life. Using tap water will work in the short term but accelerates scale deposits on the heating element and chamber walls, leading to more frequent maintenance and potential repair costs.

How often do I need to replace the door gasket?

Door gaskets typically last 12 to 24 months depending on usage frequency. Signs of a worn gasket include visible cracking, steam leaks during the cycle, or the unit failing to reach proper pressure. The gasket itself costs $150–$300 and can be replaced by trained staff or a service technician.

Is the Tuttnauer 3870EA a pre-vacuum (Class B) autoclave?

No. The 3870EA is a gravity displacement autoclave with post-vacuum drying. It is excellent for solid instruments, wrapped packs, and textiles. For hollow instruments, lumened devices, or complex porous loads that require air removal before sterilization, you would need a pre-vacuum unit such as the Tuttnauer 3870EHS.

What maintenance does the 3870EA require?

Daily: drain the water reservoir and wipe the chamber dry. Weekly: clean the strainer screen and run a biological indicator test. Monthly: inspect the door gasket and clean the external surfaces. Annually: schedule professional preventive maintenance including calibration verification, safety valve testing, and heating element inspection.

Does the Tuttnauer 3870EA meet FDA and OSHA requirements?

Yes. The 3870EA is FDA 510(k) cleared and UL/CSA listed. When used according to manufacturer instructions with appropriate biological and chemical monitoring, it meets OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards and state dental/medical board sterilization requirements.

Final Verdict

The Tuttnauer 3870EA is a proven, dependable large-chamber autoclave that has earned its reputation in dental and medical practices worldwide. It does not have the fastest cycles or the most compact design, but it delivers consistent sterilization performance, genuine ease of use, and a service life measured in decades rather than years. If your facility needs high-volume instrument processing and you want a unit you can trust for the long haul, the 3870EA — especially a well-maintained used unit — is one of the smartest investments you can make in your cleaning and sterilization equipment lineup. ```