scimedstore
Vertical Autoclave Sterilizer — Triple Wall SS 304, 10×18 to 22×30, ASME Tested
Vertical Autoclave Sterilizer — Triple Wall SS 304, 10×18 to 22×30, ASME Tested
Couldn't load pickup availability
Vertical cylindrical steam autoclave sterilizer — top-loading, triple-walled SS 304 construction, radial-locking lid with pedal-lift assist, hydraulically tested to 40 psi per ASME guidelines. Available in 6 chamber sizes from 10×18 inches ($4,400) to 22×30 inches ($6,900). Standard fittings include PID digital controller, low-water cutoff, spring-loaded safety valve, vacuum breaker, and pressure gauge. For hospital OTs, microbiology labs, tissue culture facilities, veterinary practices, and pharma production. 20 units per size on the shelf, ready to ship.
Chamber size selection — pick by load type
| Chamber (inches) | Approx capacity | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 18 | ~23 L | Small lab / dental OT / veterinary clinic — instruments only, no bulk media | $4,400 |
| 12 × 20 | ~37 L | Single-lab microbiology / TC bottles / small hospital minor OT | $5,000 |
| 14 × 22 | ~55 L | Standard hospital OT / mid-size microbiology lab / small pharma | $5,500 |
| 16 × 24 | ~79 L | Large hospital OT / clinical lab / veterinary hospital | $6,000 |
| 18 × 24 | ~100 L | Multi-surgeon OT / tissue culture facility / pilot pharma | $6,200 |
| 22 × 30 | ~180 L | Central sterilization dept / large teaching hospital / pharma production | $6,500 |
| 22 × 30 A (Advanced GMP) | ~180 L | Same as 22×30 with GMP-grade full SS + 134°C range + PID/timer/buzzer + lower water cutoff | $6,900 |
How to choose: match to your peak-hour load — the load that needs to fit inside on your busiest day. Undersizing forces batching; oversizing wastes energy per cycle. If unsure, email clinic@scimedstore.com with a description of your daily sterilization volume (instruments/day + fluid volume + max wrapped tray dimensions) and we'll spec the right size.
Construction — triple wall SS 304
- Inner chamber: SS 304 grade, mirror-finish interior, argon-arc welded joints ground and polished for crevice-free surface (no microbial harborage)
- Middle wall: SS 304 insulation layer — reduces exterior surface temperature, saves heater energy per cycle
- Outer wall: SS 304 mirror-finish exterior, splash-clean, hospital-grade appearance
- Lid: thick machined SS 304 plate with radial locking (safer than gasket-only clamps under pressure)
- Gasket: jointless molded silicon rubber, high heat/pressure retention, easy to swap for maintenance
- Pedal-lift assist: foot-pedal lifts the lid — no back-strain during 20-cycle-a-day workflow
- Base: heavy-gauge steel frame, powder-coated, floor-standing (not mobile)
Cycle specifications
| Sterilizing pressure | 1.2 kgf/cm² (15 psi) at 121°C — standard hospital / lab cycle |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure range | 15-22 psi adjustable |
| Optional high-temp range | Up to 134°C (Advanced GMP variant only — for prion decontamination) |
| Hydraulic test | 40 psi per ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code guidelines |
| Controller | Auto set at 15 psi / 121°C (Advanced GMP: PID temperature controller cum timer with alarm buzzer) |
| Pressure display | Analog dial gauge (all models) + digital PID readout (Advanced GMP) |
| Power supply | 220V, 50Hz — 3-pin power cable with top |
| Safety systems | Low-water indicator · automatic pressure switch · steam release valve · water outlet valve · spring-loaded safety valve · vacuum breaker · miniature circuit breaker |
Comparison to alternatives
| Feature | SciMed Vertical Autoclave | Tuttnauer 3870EA | Priorclave TACTROL 2 | Systec V-Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (~80L class) | $6,000 | $9,000-$14,000 | $12,000-$25,000 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Chamber material | SS 304 triple wall | SS 316L single | SS 316L | SS 316L |
| Sterilization cycle | 121°C @ 15 psi | 121-134°C | 121-134°C | 121-134°C |
| Load type | Instruments, media, glassware, waste | Instruments, media | Instruments, media, waste | All + BSL-2/3 |
| ASME testing | Yes, to 40 psi | ASME certified | PED / BS | ASME + PED |
| PID control | Yes (all) + timer/alarm (GMP variant) | Yes | Yes (TACTROL) | Yes (advanced) |
| Lead time | Same-day dispatch | 4-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 12-16 weeks |
| Warranty | 2-year parts | 1-3 year | 1-2 year | 1-3 year |
Best for
- Hospital Operating Theaters — routine instrument sterilization, drapes, gowns, waste
- Microbiology laboratories — media prep, glassware, culture waste disposal
- Tissue culture / cell culture facilities — glassware, media, biohazard waste
- Veterinary clinics + hospitals — surgical instrument sterilization
- Dental Operating Theaters — endodontic + oral surgery instrument sets
- University teaching labs — student microbiology + biochemistry courses
- Small pharma / nutraceutical production — pre-sterilization of containers and closures
- Academic research labs — molecular biology + biotech waste + glassware
- Ayurvedic + herbal medicine producers — cold-chain herbal extract sterilization
- Contract sterilization services — small-batch industrial autoclave work
Sterilization loads — what fits
- Instruments: surgical trays, dental instruments, laparoscopy sets, endoscopic accessories (heat-tolerant)
- Media: agar bottles, broth bottles, buffer bottles, PBS, saline
- Glassware: flasks, beakers, pipette tips (in racks), plated media (empty)
- Waste: biohazard bags, autoclave-safe waste containers, sharps (in appropriate containers)
- Fluids: water, buffers, media (slow-exhaust cycle recommended)
- NOT for: flammable/volatile chemicals, heat-sensitive plastics, moisture-sensitive electronics, dry powders (use dry heat oven instead)
What's included
- Vertical autoclave (specified chamber size) with radial-locking lid + pedal-lift assist
- SS 304 basket (Double-Wall variants — not required for Triple-Wall due to internal chamber design)
- Water level indicator (mechanical + electrical low-water cutoff)
- Vacuum breaker
- Automatic low-water cutoff system
- PID digital temperature indicator/controller (Advanced GMP variant)
- Automatic pressure control switch
- Spring-loaded safety valve
- Steam release + water outlet valves
- Power cable (3-pin top, 220V) — voltage adapter available on request for 110V
- User manual + installation guide + first-year maintenance schedule
Advanced GMP variant (22×30 A) — what's different
- Fully SS construction (GMP compliant) — every wetted + non-wetted surface is SS 304, no painted steel anywhere
- Up to 134°C temperature range — enables prion decontamination cycles (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease protocols)
- PID temperature controller with digital timer + alarm buzzer — hands-free cycle monitoring
- Lower water cut-off — extra safety layer preventing dry-run damage
- +$400 vs standard 22×30 — GMP + WHO tender qualification, pharma production ready
Buying for a hospital, university, or pharma facility?
SciMed supplies vertical autoclaves to hospital central sterile services, university microbiology programs, veterinary hospital chains, and small pharma facilities globally.
- Volume pricing on 3+ unit orders — common for university teaching lab build-outs + hospital chain rollouts
- Net-30 invoicing for verified hospitals, academic institutions, government labs
- SAM.gov / VA / DoD compliant procurement (VA sterile processing + military field hospitals)
- WHO tender compatible (Advanced GMP variant for WHO/UNICEF international health procurement)
- International DDP shipping — India, LATAM (Mexico/Brazil/Colombia), MENA (UAE/Saudi/Egypt), SE Asia (Indonesia/Vietnam), Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya/Nigeria/South Africa)
- Ocean freight quotes on request for 5+ unit orders — significant savings vs air on autoclaves ~180-250 kg each
- Installation + validation documentation for pharma customers (IQ/OQ protocol templates on request)
- Equipment financing via medical + lab equipment lenders (24-60 month terms)
Frequently asked questions
Which chamber size do I need?
Rule of thumb: pick a chamber that fits your PEAK-hour load, not average. Hospital OT typically needs 14×22 to 18×24. Small microbiology lab: 12×20 to 14×22. Central sterile department: 22×30. Veterinary clinic: 10×18 to 12×20. If your loads exceed the chamber, you'll batch (slow, wasteful). If under, you'll waste heating energy per cycle. Email a description of your daily volume for a specific size recommendation.
Is 121°C at 15 psi enough for hospital sterilization?
Yes. 121°C at 15 psi for 15-20 minutes is the standard steam sterilization cycle recognized by AAMI, CDC, and WHO for surgical instrument sterilization and lab media. This is the same cycle used by Tuttnauer, Priorclave, and Systec. For prion decontamination protocols (variant CJD), you need 134°C — available on the Advanced GMP variant only.
What does "ASME hydraulically tested to 40 psi" mean?
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requires pressure vessels to be hydraulically tested to at least 1.5× their maximum working pressure before leaving the factory. Our chambers work at 15-22 psi; the hydraulic test at 40 psi is roughly 2× the maximum operating pressure — a substantial safety margin. This is critical for hospital and lab liability compliance.
Can this replace my Tuttnauer 3870EA?
Feature-for-feature, yes — same 121°C at 15 psi cycle, SS 304 chamber, PID controller, safety valves, pedal-lift, water cutoff. Two differences worth knowing: (1) our chamber is SS 304 while Tuttnauer 3870EA uses SS 316L (Tuttnauer's is slightly more chloride-resistant for coastal facilities). (2) Our lead time is same-day US ship vs Tuttnauer's 4-8 weeks. For most hospital OT + lab workflows, the operational difference is negligible. If your facility is coastal or has hard chlorinated water, we recommend water pretreatment (RO or DI feed) regardless of manufacturer.
What's the warranty?
2-year parts warranty on chamber, lid, PID controller, safety valves. 1-year on the heating element (typical wear item). Cosmetic damage, damage from dry-cycle operation (without low-water cutoff engaged), and unauthorized modifications not covered. Replacement parts stocked in San Jose warehouse for 5+ years post-purchase.
Does it need a special water supply?
Distilled or RO/DI water strongly recommended — tap water leaves mineral deposits that damage heating elements over time and reduce chamber life. Budget a small RO/DI water system ($200-800) if you don't have one on your bench already. This is the same requirement as Tuttnauer and Priorclave — not a SciMed limitation.
How long does one cycle take?
Typical hospital cycle: 90-110 minutes total including heat-up (~20 min), sterilization hold (15-20 min at 121°C), and cool-down (~45 min for slow exhaust to avoid boil-over on fluid loads). Advanced GMP variant with timer + alarm allows walk-away operation.
Can I use this for biohazard waste?
Yes — routine BSL-1 and BSL-2 biohazard waste sterilization is a common application. For BSL-3/BSL-4 waste, you need a validated bio-waste autoclave with IQ/OQ documentation and typically double-door pass-through design — not this vertical unit. Contact us for BSL-3+ autoclave options.
Do you provide IQ/OQ documentation for pharma facilities?
Yes — installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) protocol templates available on request for pharma production customers (Advanced GMP variant). Third-party validation by a certified validation contractor is recommended for full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
How is this shipped internationally?
US: LTL freight (crated ~180-250 kg depending on size, lift-gate required). International: ocean freight DDP for orders 3+ units (cheaper per kg), or DHL Express DDP for single-unit urgent shipments. Ships to India, LATAM (Mexico/Brazil/Colombia), MENA (UAE/Saudi/Egypt/Jordan), SE Asia (Indonesia/Vietnam/Malaysia/Philippines), Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya/Nigeria/South Africa), GCC, UK, EU, AU/NZ. Custom duty/taxes barred by buyer under DDP where applicable — contact us for country-specific quotes.
Why buy direct from SciMed
- 30-50% of Tuttnauer / Priorclave / Systec pricing — same cycle, same construction grade, same ASME hydraulic test standard
- US warehouse in San Jose — same-day dispatch on orders before 2 PM Pacific
- 6 chamber sizes in stock — no 6-12 week manufacturer lead time, 20 units per size on shelf
- Real US-based technical support — sizing, installation, cycle troubleshooting go to SciMed team
- Hospital + academic procurement — Net-30, SAM.gov, VA, tax-exempt, PO acceptance
- WHO tender ready (Advanced GMP) — WHO/UNICEF international health procurement compatible
- Ocean freight for 5+ units — dramatic savings for chain hospital / university system orders
- Equipment financing — via medical/lab equipment lender partners
Shipping: Continental US LTL freight (lift-gate required due to 180-250 kg crated weight). International DDP ocean freight or DHL Express to major markets. Hospital + academic procurement: clinic@scimedstore.com.
Share
