Tuttnauer 3870 EA Review: Is This Used Autoclave Worth Buying?
If your practice goes through instrument cycles every hour, a failing or undersized sterilizer isn't just an inconvenience — it's a patient safety risk and a workflow bottleneck. The Tuttnauer 3870 EA has been a fixture in dental offices, veterinary clinics, and outpatient surgical suites for decades, and used units regularly surface on the secondary market at a fraction of original cost. But is a pre-owned 3870 EA a reliable workhorse or a maintenance headache? We break it all down.
Product Overview
Price Comparison
| Retailer | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| buyhitek | USD7500 | Buy → |
| ewz-surplus | USD7800 | Buy → |
| inland-empire-suppliers | USD19995 | Buy → |
The Tuttnauer 3870 EA is a tabletop, gravity-displacement autoclave sterilizer in the large-capacity class. The "E" designates electric heating, and "A" designates automatic — meaning it self-fills from a built-in reservoir and self-drains at the end of each cycle, requiring far less operator intervention than manual ("M") models.
Who it's for: Dental practices, veterinary clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, dermatology offices, and any clinical environment that needs a dependable, high-volume tabletop sterilizer without committing floor space to a larger pass-through unit.
Key specifications to verify with the seller:
- Chamber style: Horizontal cylinder, tabletop
- Operation: Gravity displacement (standard cycles) and pre-vacuum capability on some configurations
- Heating: Electric
- Cycle temperatures: 121°C (250°F) and 134°C (273°F)
- Water supply: Internal reservoir (automatic fill/drain)
- Controls: Analog or digital depending on production year
Note: Specifications can vary by production year and configuration. Always confirm the exact model variant, manufacture date, and service history with the seller before purchase.
Hands-On Experience
Setup and Installation
Setting up a used 3870 EA starts before it arrives — you need to confirm the unit's electrical requirements match your facility's supply (typically 120V or 240V depending on region and configuration), and that you have a dedicated drainage path or catch basin for the automatic drain function.
Once on the counter, the footprint is substantial for a tabletop unit. You'll want at least 12 inches of clearance on all sides for ventilation and safe door operation. The internal reservoir needs to be filled with distilled water only — tap water accelerates mineral buildup and can void any remaining service agreements on refurbished units.
Initial startup involves a calibration check. On a well-maintained used unit, cycles should reach temperature and pressure within normal operating windows. If a used unit takes noticeably longer than expected to reach cycle temperature, that's your first diagnostic signal — typically a failing heating element or mineral-caked reservoir.
Daily Use
In a high-throughput dental or veterinary practice, the 3870 EA earns its reputation. The automatic fill-and-drain cycle means your front desk or tech can load instruments, press start, and move on. The larger chamber accommodates bulkier wrapped packs and cassette trays simultaneously — a meaningful advantage over the smaller 2340 or 2540 series units.
Cycle times vary by configuration and load, but gravity cycles at 134°C typically complete in under 30 minutes including dry time. A properly functioning unit delivers consistent, validated sterilization without babysitting.
The analog controls on older units are elegantly simple — fewer points of digital failure, and easier to troubleshoot when something does go wrong. Newer digital-panel variants add cycle logging and enhanced temperature monitoring, which some accreditation bodies now require.
Standout Features
Self-contained water system: The automatic fill-and-drain eliminates the need for direct plumbing in most setups. This is a genuine operational convenience compared to plumbed units, especially in older building stock without autoclave-ready rooms.
Proven parts ecosystem: Because the 3870 EA has been in production for years, replacement gaskets, door seals, heating elements, and solenoid valves are widely available. This dramatically reduces the risk of a used unit becoming unrepairable.
Chamber capacity: The larger chamber is the primary reason practices choose this model over smaller Tuttnauer units. You can run a full cassette load without rearranging packs to fit.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large chamber handles high-volume instrument loads
- Automatic fill-and-drain reduces operator workload
- Extremely well-supported parts ecosystem — repairs are feasible
- Gravity and (on some models) pre-vacuum cycle options
- Robust build quality; units from the mid-2000s are still in clinical service
- Used units available at significant discount vs. new
Cons
- Heavier and larger than many competitors — not ideal for very small operatories
- Older analog units lack cycle data logging (an issue for some regulatory requirements)
- Requires distilled water discipline; mineral buildup is the #1 cause of used-unit problems
- No built-in printer on base configurations (some accreditors require a paper record)
- Due diligence on used units is essential — service history and last calibration date matter
Performance Breakdown
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | ★★★★★ | Stainless chamber, heavy-gauge construction — built to outlast most equipment it sterilizes |
| Sterilization Reliability | ★★★★★ | Consistent results when properly maintained; gravity cycle validated for most instrument types |
| Ease of Use | ★★★★☆ | Automatic operation is simple; initial setup and maintenance require some training |
| Value (Used) | ★★★★★ | Strong value when purchased with verified service history; significant savings vs. new |
| Parts Availability | ★★★★★ | One of the best-supported tabletop autoclaves on the market |
| Data Logging | ★★☆☆☆ | Older analog models lack electronic logging; factor this into regulatory planning |
Who Should Buy This
High-volume dental practices that run instrument cassettes through multiple daily cycles and need a chamber large enough to handle full tray loads without sorting.
Veterinary clinics with mixed instrument types — surgical packs, wrapped items, and unwrapped instruments — that benefit from the larger chamber and dual-temperature cycles.
Outpatient surgery centers on a budget, particularly those replacing a failed unit quickly and looking for a proven, serviceable platform rather than an unfamiliar brand.
Equipment resellers and refurbishers sourcing units to restore — the 3870 EA is one of the most economically viable models to refurbish given parts availability and buyer demand.
Any practice comfortable doing basic maintenance (gasket replacement, descaling) and with access to a local biomedical technician for annual calibration.
Who Should Skip This
Very small practices with low weekly instrument volume. A Tuttnauer 2340 or 2540, or even a smaller Midmark M9/M11, will be more appropriately sized and easier to manage.
Facilities requiring electronic cycle documentation from day one without budget for an aftermarket printer or data logger. Check your accreditor's requirements before purchasing an older analog unit.
Anyone without a clear service history on the specific used unit. A 3870 EA with unknown maintenance history is a gamble. Unknown descaling intervals, worn door gaskets, and uncalibrated temperature sensors can turn a bargain into a compliance failure.
Practices in regions with very hard water and no reliable distilled water supply — mineral fouling is the most common cause of shortened autoclave lifespan.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Tuttnauer 2540 EA
If your volume is moderate and counter space is tight, the 2540 EA is the smaller sibling of the 3870. Lower capacity but the same proven automatic platform. Used units are plentiful and typically cheaper. Good starting point for growing practices that may upgrade later.
Midmark M11
The Midmark M11 is a direct competitor and the dominant alternative in dental settings. It uses an internal cassette-based water system and is also well-supported. Some technicians find the M11's steam generator design more straightforward to service. Worth comparing service availability in your area.
Pelton & Crane OCM
A less common alternative, the Pelton & Crane OCM occupies similar market space. Parts availability is more limited than Tuttnauer, so factor that in if you're buying used.
For a broader comparison of used autoclaves across brands and sizes, see our full category guide.
Where to Buy
Used Tuttnauer 3870 EA units surface regularly on the secondary market. Pricing varies significantly based on condition, age, and service history:
- Cosmetic/parts units: $59–$300 — useful for parts only; do not attempt clinical use without full service
- Unverified used, untested: $300–$1,500 — buyer beware; request all available history
- Refurbished with service documentation: $1,500–$4,500 — the sweet spot for most buyers
- Fully certified refurbished with warranty: $4,500–$8,000+ — closest to new confidence at meaningful savings vs. MSRP
Check current listings on eBay — the widest selection of used and refurbished units, with seller ratings and return policies visible before purchase.
Also available on Amazon — typically fulfilled by medical equipment dealers with refurbished inventory.
Search Tuttnauer 3870 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "3870 EA" mean? The model number breaks down as follows: 3870 refers to the unit's approximate chamber capacity and series; "E" stands for Electric heating; "A" stands for Automatic (self-fill, self-drain). This distinguishes it from "M" (Manual fill/drain) variants in the same series.
How long do Tuttnauer 3870 EA units typically last? With proper maintenance — annual calibration, regular descaling, and timely gasket replacement — a 3870 EA can remain in clinical service for 15–20+ years. Many units manufactured in the mid-2000s are still operating in active practices today.
What maintenance does a used unit need right away? At minimum: replace the door gasket (they harden and crack over time), descale the chamber and reservoir, replace distilled water, and have a biomedical technician run a calibration cycle and Bowie-Dick or biological indicator test to verify sterilization efficacy before clinical use.
Can I run pouched instruments in a 3870 EA? Yes. The 3870 EA supports wrapped/pouched items in gravity displacement cycles. Verify your loading configuration follows the manufacturer's validated loading patterns — overloading or improper spacing can compromise sterilization.
Is a used 3870 EA compliant with OSHA and dental board sterilization requirements? A properly serviced and calibrated unit is compliant. Regulatory requirements focus on validated sterilization cycles, spore testing documentation, and cycle records — not the age of the equipment. Confirm your specific state dental board or accreditor requirements around cycle logging, as some now require electronic records that older analog units cannot provide natively.
What's the difference between the 3870 EA and the 3870 EK-120? The EK-120 variant typically refers to configurations designed for specific market regions or with specific electrical requirements. Always confirm the exact variant, voltage, and any regional certification markings with the seller.
Final Verdict
The Tuttnauer 3870 EA is one of the most reliable tabletop autoclaves ever manufactured, and the secondary market regularly offers excellent value on used and refurbished units. For any practice that needs high-volume sterilization capacity in a tabletop form factor, a well-serviced 3870 EA is a sound investment — often at 30–70% below the cost of a comparable new unit.
The key is due diligence: prioritize sellers who can provide service history, and budget for an initial biomedical inspection before putting the unit into clinical service. A refurbished unit from a reputable dealer, priced in the $2,000–$4,500 range with documentation, represents the best overall value for most buyers.
Bottom line: Buy it — but verify before you trust it. ```