Buying a New Autoclave/ Sterilizer "Tuttnauer"
Guide viewed: 632 times Tags: Tuttnauer | Autoclave | Dental | Sterilizer | Midmark


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Hello

I was just looking at the 600+ listings under the keyword "Autoclave" in the eBay search and was amazed at the eclectic assortment I found.

I found autoclaves that are not legal for use in the USA, electronic units made in China that have little or no service in the USA (and no FDA approval), Autoclaves that have been modified from their original design, Autoclaves I know for a fact that have limited "if any" spare parts available, Autoclaves such as the Midmark M-9 & M-11 which from 2003 and older the Manufactere has no replacement main PC boards available (That's Right ! Midmark has a Cash for Clunkers Program that affects all these units that are Seven (7) years old or older. Basically, if you have one of these autoclaves and have a board problem you will need to send it to Midmark where they will determine whether or not it is a board issue. If so, they keep the autoclave and issue a $1000.00 Rebate Check towards the purchase of a New machine. Midmark then destroys the unit and recycles it's remains to keep it out of the market place. What's not clear is if this program only applies to the original owner or will it provide some protection to those purchasing used machines on eBay?), I also see a lot of older Pelton and Crane OCR and OCM autoclaves( most of these units never had a boiler certification or FDA approval. The OCR and OCM were produced between 1966 and 1989. These units have a lot of safety issues because of their age and the modifications that have been done to some of them over the years. One of my biggest concerns is that the safety valves on most of the older units do not work and the machine has to be modified to accept a modern part.) Autoclaves I have never seen or heard of before (I've been in this business 18 years), Autoclaves that are said to be new and never used when in fact I can tell by the sellers pictures that it is not true, Autoclaves that are said to be in good working order when I can tell that it has a bad heater just from a picture, Autoclaves from Government surplus auctions (everyone knows you don't buy Sony Speakers and you never buy an autoclave from a Government Surplus Auction- usually ther's no life left in them) and finally, 15- 20 year old autoclaves that are selling for not much less money that I can sell you a New Tuttnauer autoclave for. My units are FDA approved, Have boiler certificates and have international approvals. Plus, you get a manufacture's warranty ranging from One - Two Years.

What is the reasoning for purchasing an autoclave from someone who is completley ignorant of the item he/she is selling and cannot tell you the absolute condition the machine is in? I just don't get. Paying a bit more upfront is always better than buying an unknown. Especially, when that first service call puts you over the cost of buying new.

Autoclaves are the most important items in your office. Used properly, they keep your patients safe from infection. Without a properly working autoclave you may as well close your doors because you are not practicing safe medicine.

Just some random thoughts that circulate through my mind from time to time.

Big K