Manual vs Automatic Autoclave for dental office

[DocJL]

Hoping some practicing dentists can provide their experiences here.

I have an automatic Midmark autoclave. It's 16 years old, and in the last 6 years I have had to put maybe $1k into repairs. It is giving us problems again, and my repair guy estimates it might cost another $500-1k to fix this time.

Have a loaner from a friend and using our Statim more.


Looking at replacements, and considering Tuttnauer. Their fully AUTOMATIC top of the line model is about $6k.

Their largest MANUAL tabletop autoclave, which is slightly larger, is just over $4k.


Its not so much the cost of the unit that I am concerned about, it is the long term cost of keeping it running. From what I have read, the MANUAL models are bulletproof, as there are no fragile electronics to break.


Wondering, for those who have used to do use a manual autoclave, how much more work it is for your staff to run it versus an automatic autoclave, and what your experiences are -

For those with offices, if in my situation and needing to replace your autoclave, which direction do you think you would go in?

Thanks in advance for sharing thoughts and experiences.

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[TanMan]

It is true though... more electronics, more things to break. Have you thought of purchasing used or refurbished? I remember purchasing one for 1500 (Tuttnauer's weak point seems to be the solenoids). Perhaps, a more radical idea would be to have 2-3 Statim 5000's. My current setup is 3 Statim 5000's with 1 Statim 2000 as a backup. Works well, but I don't use cassettes. I imagine it would be bad for people who use cassettes, but great for quick instrument turnover. You can probably get 2 Statim 5000's for under 5k.

 

[Saddleshoes]

I have had a number of automatic autoclaves come and go but my 30+ year old manual Pelton-Crane autoclave just keeps right on going.

 

[ysrebob]

I currently have a Tutt EZ11 Plus (automatic) and a Tutt 2540 (manual).

The EZ11 is glacially slow, finicky, and complex; has already needed one major repair under warranty. We hardly use it any more and I would not buy again.

The Tutt 2540 is a reliable little tank, quick, and easy to maintain. Would buy another Tutt manual in a heartbeat. Sombody does have to manually switch it into the drying cycle with each load. It only takes a few seconds to do, and there is a timer with a “ding” sound to alert you when its ready for this, but if you don’t hear the ding and forget until it cools down/loses pressure, you have to start the load over again. Worth it for the simplicity and reliability, IMO.

Have used Midmark M11s before, and they’re about as good as autos get. More longterm maintenance hassles, but a little more convenient (vs a manual). Worth it if you are chronically shorthanded, arguably.

 

[DocJL]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Tanman - I'm not at a point in my career where I'm strapped for cash, etc, (have put $100k into my office in the last 18 months to get 2 new chairs, new computers, and new digital sensors to replace my old ones which the manufacturer no longer supported, along with other office updates), so not really interested in refurbished or used unless it's a part that I need to fit with my existing hardware (bought a refurb ultrasonic cleaner a couple of years back because it fit into the already built in area in our counter). Our statim has been good to us, but can't fit some of the bigger items we have (implant kits, etc), and I think would be more work for my staff to do more, smaller loads of instruments.

Saddleshoes and ysrebob - really appreciate the input, especially bob, as those were EXACTLY the 2 models I was looking at.

Went ahead and ordered the Tuttnauer 2540M.

With a little luck, it should last until I retire or sell the office (I figure I have another 15-18 years left in my back, lol)