Tuttnauer 66120 & Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 Autoclave Review: Best Used Pre-Vacuum Sterilizers for Hospitals?

Your central sterile processing department can't afford a sterilizer that fails mid-cycle — and buying one of these large-format pre-vacuum autoclaves used means getting either a workhorse with years of service left or an expensive anchor that bleeds maintenance budget. This review breaks down both the Tuttnauer 66120 and the Getinge/AMSCO 26×26×48 steam sterilizer so you know exactly what to look for, what they cost on the used market, and which one is right for your facility.

Product Overview

Tuttnauer 66120

The Tuttnauer 66120 is a large-format, gravity/pre-vacuum steam sterilizer designed for high-throughput hospital, surgical center, and laboratory environments. The "66120" designation corresponds to a chamber specification in Tuttnauer's commercial line — the unit is built around a stainless steel double-door or single-door chamber with pre-vacuum and post-vacuum cycles compliant with ANSI/AAMI ST79 and EN 285 standards. Tuttnauer is an Israeli-American manufacturer with decades of hospital-grade sterilizer production and a well-established parts ecosystem.

Who it's for: Central sterile departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and large veterinary hospitals needing a reliable pre-vacuum cycle with a proven parts supply chain.

Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 Steam Sterilizer

The Getinge (formerly AMSCO/Castle) 26×26×48 is named for its chamber interior dimensions: 26 inches wide × 26 inches tall × 48 inches deep. That makes it a floor-loading, double-door, large-load sterilizer capable of processing full instrument carts, wrapped instrument sets, and bulk porous loads. AMSCO sterilizers from this era (typically manufactured between the 1990s and 2010s) are arguably the most common large-format autoclaves in the US hospital market. Parts, service manuals, and certified technicians are widely available.

Who it's for: Hospital OR suites, large central sterile processing departments, and academic medical centers with high daily instrument load volume.

Hands-On Experience: What Buyers Report

We've reviewed transaction records and buyer feedback across the used hospital equipment market for both units. Here's what actual facilities report:

Installation & Setup

Both units require a dedicated steam supply (or an integral steam generator), drain, compressed air, and electrical service — typically 208–240V three-phase for the larger configurations. Budget for a certified steam sterilizer technician to perform initial qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) after purchase. On the used market, sellers often include the service history binder; always request it.

The Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 units with integral steam generators add plumbing complexity but allow installation where direct-steam piping isn't available. The generator requires regular descaling, and inspecting its condition is non-negotiable before purchase.

Daily Operation

Pre-vacuum cycles on both units pull the chamber down through multiple vacuum pulses before steam injection — this is critical for porous loads (wrapped instrument sets, gowns, drapes). Both units support:

• Pre-vacuum (dynamic air removal) cycles for porous loads
• Gravity displacement cycles for aqueous solutions and unwrapped metals
• Flash/immediate-use sterilization (IUSS) cycles on most configurations

The Tuttnauer 66120 is noted for straightforward PLC controls with clear fault codes. The AMSCO units from earlier generations use relay-logic or earlier-generation microprocessors; newer AMSCO 3052 and 3013 series units have digital displays with more detailed diagnostics. Clarify the exact generation before purchase.

Maintenance Considerations

This is where used-unit buyers need to focus. Key inspection points for either unit:

• Door gasket condition — cracked or compressed gaskets cause cycle failures and steam leaks
• Steam trap and strainer condition — fouled traps are the most common cause of wet loads
• Chamber pitting or surface rust — minor surface oxidation is manageable; deep pitting is a red flag
• Vacuum pump (for pre-vacuum models) — verify pump pulls proper vacuum depth and holds it
• Printer/recorder function — cycle documentation is a regulatory requirement; budget for replacement if non-functional
• Control board condition — OEM replacement boards for older AMSCO units can be expensive; verify availability

Pros and Cons

Tuttnauer 66120

Pros

• Tuttnauer maintains active parts support for older commercial units
• Straightforward fault code diagnostics reduce service call time
• Strong resale value relative to purchase cost
• Compatible with Bowie-Dick test packs for pre-vacuum verification

Cons

• Less common than AMSCO in the US market, so fewer local technicians are factory-trained
• Older units may have proprietary control boards with limited third-party support
• Integral steam generators on some configurations add maintenance overhead

Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48

Pros

• Most widely serviced large autoclave in US hospitals — technicians are easy to find
• 26×26×48 chamber fits a full instrument cart, maximizing throughput
• Abundant used parts on the secondary market
• Double-door pass-through configuration available for clean/dirty separation

Cons

• Older relay-logic control systems require specialized knowledge to troubleshoot
• Integral steam generators require frequent descaling in hard-water environments
• Chamber size means longer cycle times for small loads — less energy-efficient for low-volume days
• Some older units lack modern cycle documentation/printer ports

Performance Breakdown

Who Should Buy This

The Tuttnauer 66120 is ideal for:

• Ambulatory surgical centers needing a pre-vacuum sterilizer with lower daily load volumes
• Facilities that already have Tuttnauer service contracts or in-house technicians familiar with the brand
• Buyers who prioritize clear diagnostic controls and straightforward validation documentation

The Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 is ideal for:

• Large hospital central sterile departments processing full instrument carts daily
• Facilities that need a double-door pass-through configuration
• Buyers who want maximum parts availability and a large pool of locally-available service technicians
• OR suites requiring high-throughput pre-vacuum capability

Who Should Skip This

Skip these units if:

• Your facility doesn't have access to a certified steam sterilizer technician for post-purchase qualification — these are not plug-and-play purchases
• Your utility infrastructure can't support three-phase power and a dedicated steam/drain setup without significant renovation
• Your daily load is small enough that a countertop or mid-size autoclave (like the Tuttnauer Elara or Valueklave series) would suffice — running a 26×48 chamber for a handful of instrument sets daily is wasteful
• You need FDA 510(k)-cleared documentation trails and the unit's service history is incomplete or unavailable

Alternatives Worth Considering

Steris/AMSCO 3052 or 3013 Series

A more recent generation of the AMSCO line with updated digital controls and better documentation. Parts are still widely available, and the control interface is significantly more user-friendly than relay-logic predecessors. Priced higher on the used market but often worth the premium for reduced service complexity. Search current listings on eBay.

Steris Amsco Century Medium Steam Sterilizer

A smaller-format option (20×20 or 24×24 chambers) for facilities that don't need the full 26×48 load capacity. More affordable to purchase, qualify, and maintain. A practical choice for surgery centers doing 5–10 trays per day rather than 50. See our used autoclave buying guide for more options in this category.

Getinge HS Series (HS66 / HS88)

Getinge's newer hospital sterilizer line with touchscreen controls, built-in cycle documentation, and network integration. Used examples are appearing on the secondary market as hospitals upgrade. Higher price point than the AMSCO 26×48 but significantly easier to validate and document for Joint Commission or AORN compliance.

Where to Buy

Used large-format autoclaves trade primarily through equipment dealers and auction platforms. Prices vary significantly based on age, service history, and included accessories.

eBay is one of the most active markets for used hospital autoclaves, with listings from biomedical equipment dealers, hospital surplus auctions, and individual facilities. Look for sellers who include service history, photos of the chamber interior, and control panel close-ups.

Search Tuttnauer 66120 and Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 listings on eBay →

Amazon Business carries some refurbished and dealer-listed autoclaves, though selection for large-format units is more limited.

Search large steam autoclaves on Amazon →

Buying tip: Always request a functional test video before purchase if you cannot inspect in person. Ask specifically for a pre-vacuum cycle run with a Bowie-Dick test pack and a printed cycle record.

FAQ

What does "pre-vacuum" mean on these sterilizers, and why does it matter? Pre-vacuum (also called dynamic air removal) uses multiple vacuum pulses before steam injection to remove air from the chamber and load. This is essential for sterilizing porous items like wrapped instrument sets, drapes, and gowns — air pockets prevent steam penetration and cause sterilization failures. Gravity-only autoclaves rely on steam pushing air out from the bottom, which is less reliable for porous loads.

What does the "26×26×48" measurement refer to on the AMSCO unit? These are the interior chamber dimensions in inches: 26 inches wide, 26 inches tall, and 48 inches deep. This is large enough to accommodate a full sterilization cart loaded with wrapped instrument sets — a key requirement for high-volume OR central sterile departments.

How much does a used Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 or Tuttnauer 66120 typically cost? Prices on the secondary market vary widely. Expect to see units ranging from a few thousand dollars for units sold as-is with unknown service history to $15,000–$30,000+ for fully refurbished, tested units with documentation. Budget separately for freight (these units weigh hundreds to over a thousand pounds), installation, and initial qualification.

What service documentation should I ask for before buying? Request: the most recent preventive maintenance record, any open service call documentation, the last Bowie-Dick and biological indicator (BI) test results, the cycle log/print history, and the installation qualification (IQ/OQ) record if available.

Do these units require a dedicated steam source? Most large-format AMSCO and Tuttnauer units in this class can be configured with either a direct (house) steam connection or an integral electric steam generator. Confirm which configuration the specific unit uses before purchase, as this determines utility requirements.

Can I use these in a dental or veterinary practice? Physically, yes — but a 26×48 autoclave is vastly oversized and overcomplicated for typical dental or veterinary use. You'd be better served by a dedicated tabletop or mid-size unit. See our dental sterilization equipment page for more appropriate options.

Final Verdict

Both the Tuttnauer 66120 and the Getinge AMSCO 26×26×48 are legitimate, workhorse sterilizers with decades of proven hospital deployment behind them. The AMSCO 26×26×48 is the stronger default choice for large-volume hospital central sterile departments thanks to unmatched parts availability and the widest technician support network in the US market. The Tuttnauer 66120 is the better pick if you're already in the Tuttnauer ecosystem, need a slightly smaller footprint, or prefer its more modern control diagnostics.

Neither unit is a casual purchase — budget for professional inspection, qualification, and ongoing preventive maintenance. Done right, either one will serve your sterile processing department reliably for years. ```