An autoclave is one of the few pieces of equipment a practice uses every single day, and a poor fit shows up fast: trays that don't fit your instruments, a unit that won't fit under the cabinets, or cycles too slow for your patient load. These six tips are what we walk customers through before they order, whether they're buying their first sterilizer or replacing a worn-out one.
1. Size the chamber to your instruments and your busiest day
Start with the longest instrument or cassette you sterilize, then think about volume. A chamber that's too small means extra cycles at the end of every clinic day; one that's too big wastes water, power and counter space.
- Longest item first. Instruments must sit inside the tray without hanging over the lip or touching the chamber walls. If you use cassettes or wrapped packs, measure those, not the loose instruments.
- Count your cycles. Estimate how many trays or pouches you run on a busy day and how long a cycle takes, including drying. If you're running back-to-back cycles to keep up, size up.
- Plan for growth. Adding a provider or a procedure room usually means more instruments. A slightly larger chamber now costs less than a second unit later.
For most medical offices the choice comes down to two sizes. The Midmark M9 has a 9" x 15" chamber and suits a smaller practice or a single procedure room. The Midmark M11 has an 11" x 18" chamber and handles larger instruments, cassettes and higher volume. Busy surgery centers and labs may need a floor-standing or large-capacity unit such as the Tuttnauer 3870 series.
Loading tips that apply to every autoclave: lay instruments in a single layer, sterilize hinged items open, and place anything that can hold water (basins, bottles) open side down so condensate drains.
2. Measure the counter, the clearances and the outlet
It's a bad feeling to unbox a new autoclave and find it won't fit where you planned. Measure before you order.
- Counter depth. The Midmark M11 needs at least 21" (53 cm) of counter depth; the M9 needs at least 18" (46 cm).
- Clearance. Leave about 5" (13 cm) above the unit to any shelf or cabinet, and 2" (5 cm) on the left, right and back for ventilation and steam.
- Door swing. Make sure the door can open fully and that you have room to slide trays in and out.
- Level surface. An autoclave must sit level so water fills and drains correctly.
- Power. Check your outlet before you choose a model. Most tabletop units come in 115V for standard US outlets, and some models, like the M11, are also available in 230V. Put the unit on its own circuit if you can.
3. Choose automatic or manual, and the right cycle type
Automatic autoclaves fill, heat, sterilize, vent and dry on their own once you pick a cycle. They cost more but save staff time and reduce mistakes, which is why most busy practices choose them. The Midmark M9 and M11 and the Tuttnauer T-Top are fully automatic.
Manual autoclaves need someone to fill the water, set the time and temperature, and vent at the end. They're simpler and cheaper, and a good fit for low-volume settings such as a small clinic or studio. Examples include the Tuttnauer Valueklave 1730 and the Tuttnauer 2540M.
Cycle type matters for what you sterilize. Some autoclaves are labeled Class N, S or B, a European standard that describes which loads a unit can handle:
- Class N: unwrapped, solid instruments only.
- Class S: the specific load types the manufacturer has validated, often including wrapped items.
- Class B: a pre-vacuum cycle that removes air before sterilizing, for wrapped, porous and hollow instruments.
If you sterilize wrapped packs, textiles or hollow instruments, check that the model and cycle you choose are validated for them. For those loads, look at Class B units like the SciCan BRAVO G4 or the Tuttnauer T-Top Class B. If speed is the priority, a cassette autoclave such as the SciCan STATIM 2000 G4 turns small loads around much faster than a chamber unit. When in doubt, ask us; we'll check the manufacturer's specs for you.
4. Decide between new and refurbished
Both can be the right choice. The difference is mostly warranty, lifespan and how long you can wait.
- New gives you the latest model, the longest warranty and the full service life ahead of you. Our new Midmark M9 and M11 units ship free and carry a 2-year warranty.
- Refurbished can cost roughly half as much as new. A good refurbished unit has been inspected, repaired, tested through full cycles and cleaned. Our refurbished Midmark Ritter M9 is one example.
- Used, as-is is the cheapest and the riskiest. You don't know how it was maintained, and repairs can quickly erase the savings.
When comparing refurbished units, ask the seller what was replaced (door gasket, filters, valves), whether it passed a spore test, how long the warranty is, and whether extended coverage is available. We offer a standard warranty on refurbished autoclaves, with 6-month and 1-year extensions.
5. Budget for running costs, not just the price tag
The purchase price is only part of what an autoclave costs you. Plan for these from day one:
- Distilled water. Tap water leaves mineral deposits that clog valves and shorten the unit's life. Buy distilled water or install a distiller or RO system.
- Biological monitoring. CDC guidance calls for spore testing at least weekly. Budget for test strips and a mail-in service, or an in-office incubator.
- Consumables. Sterilization pouches, chemical indicators and, on printer models, paper rolls.
- Wear parts. Door gaskets and filters wear out with use and are cheap to replace before they fail.
- Preventive maintenance. A yearly service visit catches problems early. See why autoclave preventive maintenance matters.
Ask for the cost of common parts before you buy. Popular models like the Midmark M9 and M11 have parts that are easy to find, which keeps repairs quick and affordable.
6. Check lead time, shipping, warranty and service
If your current autoclave has failed, every day without one means canceled procedures or borrowed equipment. Before you order, ask:
- Is it in stock? Backorders on popular models can run for weeks. We keep the Midmark M9 and M11 in stock and ship quickly.
- What does shipping cost? Tabletop units are heavy, and freight charges vary a lot between sellers. Our new M9 and M11 ship free.
- What does the warranty cover, and who honors it? Check the length, what parts and labor are included, and whether you ship the unit back or someone comes to you.
- Who services it? Buying from a seller that also services and repairs autoclaves means one call when something goes wrong. Learn more about our autoclave service and repair.
Buy from an authorized dealer
Quince Medical is an authorized dealer for Midmark, Tuttnauer and SciCan, three of the most trusted names in sterilization. Buying a new autoclave through an authorized dealer matters more than most buyers realize:
- Full factory warranty. Manufacturers honor their warranty on units sold through their authorized channel. A "new" unit from an unauthorized reseller may not be covered.
- Genuine parts and current models. You get the current production model with the manufacturer's parts and documentation.
- Factory promotions. Midmark, Tuttnauer and SciCan run promotions from time to time, such as rebates, trade-in credits or free accessories with a new unit. As an authorized dealer, we can pass these on to you. Ask us what's running before you buy.
- Support after the sale. We help with setup, answer questions about cycles and loading, and service and repair the brands we sell.
Not sure which brand fits? Midmark is the go-to for medical offices that want a simple, reliable chamber autoclave. Tuttnauer offers the widest range, from budget manual units to large-capacity and Class B models. SciCan is known for fast cassette sterilizers and Class B chamber autoclaves.
Popular tabletop autoclaves at a glance
| Model | Type | Chamber | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midmark M11 (M11-050) | Automatic | 11" x 18" | Busy offices, larger instruments and cassettes | $7,250 |
| Midmark M9 (M9-050) | Automatic | 9" x 15" | Smaller practices, one procedure room | $6,163.95 |
| SciCan BRAVO G4 | Automatic chamber, Class B | Chamber | Wrapped, porous and hollow loads | from $7,985 |
| SciCan STATIM 2000 G4 | Automatic cassette | Cassette | Fast turnaround of small loads | from $6,500 |
| Tuttnauer T-Top | Automatic, Class S or B | 21 L or 27 L | Wrapped and hollow loads | from $4,699 |
| Tuttnauer 2540M | Manual | 10" x 19" (23 L) | Moderate volume on a budget | $4,350 |
| Refurbished Midmark Ritter M9 | Automatic | 9" x 15" | Lowest cost for a proven model | from $3,000 |
Prices as of November 2026. See every model in our Autoclaves & Sterilizers collection.
Before you order: a quick checklist
- Longest instrument or cassette measured
- Daily cycle count estimated
- Counter depth and clearances measured
- Outlet voltage checked (115V or 230V)
- Cycle type matches your loads (wrapped, hollow, unwrapped)
- New vs refurbished decided, warranty compared
- Distilled water and spore testing budgeted
Frequently asked questions
How much does an autoclave cost? A new tabletop autoclave typically runs from about $4,000 for a manual unit to $8,500 or more for a Class B or premium automatic model. Refurbished units start around $3,000.
Which is better, the Midmark M9 or M11? Neither is better; they differ in size. Choose the M9 for a smaller practice and the M11 if you sterilize longer instruments or cassettes, or run many cycles a day.
Can I use tap water in my autoclave? No. Use distilled water. Minerals in tap water damage valves and the chamber over time.
How often should an autoclave be tested? Run a spore test at least weekly, use a chemical indicator in every package, and schedule preventive maintenance once a year.
Do you sell refurbished autoclaves? Yes. Our refurbished units are inspected, repaired and tested before they ship, and come with a warranty.
Talk to an autoclave specialist
Not sure which autoclave fits your practice? Call us at (973) 521-8769, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM ET, or browse our autoclaves and sterilizers. As an authorized Midmark, Tuttnauer and SciCan dealer, we'll help you pick the right unit, tell you about any current factory promotions, then ship it and support it after the sale.