Autoclave Repair Tips

If your Tuttnauer Autoclave is failing spore tests, or the indicator strip on the Sterilization Pouch is not changing colors,
the cause & remedy is usually a pretty simple one

The leading cause for the Tuttnauer Autoclave Spore Test Failure Is the:

The Air Jet Valve on the Tuttnauer Autoclave is located inside the reservoir

While it serves several purposes, the main function of the Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve is to allow the air inside the
Chamber to escape during the heat-up stage. It accomplishes this by “bleeding” (an opening & closing process)
the air out of the chamber

If the air inside the Tuttnauer Autoclave Chamber is not allowed to escape then the temperature in the Chamber will not rise properly. In
addition pockets of air will form inside the Chamber.

These “air pockets” will have a temperature which is lower than the surrounding steam.

As long as any air remains inside the chamber, it will result in a failed sterilization cycle.

There is a second important function for the Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve. And that is to allow small amoounts of steam
from inside the Chamber to purge out.

The Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve will allow the steam to purge all during the cycle. So a slight “hissing” sound through the sterilizstion process
is normal. The process of purging the steam creates a motion
inside the Chamber. This motion inside the Tuttnauer Autoclave Chamber causes the steam to circulate and mix and that evens out the
temperature all through the Chamber.

An even temperature means that sterilization will be the same through out the Chamber. If the Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve
were to shut down and not allow this purging, then the steam would be trapped inside the Chamber motionless.

This motionless steam, with the help of the Heating Elements turning off and on, can lead to hot
and cold pockets of steam within the Chamber causing uneven sterilization.

With the unit set to sterilize at 273°F, But with the Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve blocked off, (this condition can be caused not cleaned
on a regular basis) the autoclave would run and the pressure may reach 30 psi, but the temperature would only reach
about 260°F.

This temperature is 13°F below the
programmed sterilization temperature. Sterilization consists of a process based on components of Temperature + Pressure + Time.

While the lower temperature is still hot enough, and the pressure is high enough for sterilization of your instruments to take place,
the programmed time is no longer long enough to complete the sterilization process

The cycle would fail as well as any spore testing
that was done. A Faulty Air Jet Valve Is The Most Common Reason For Tuttnauer Autoclaves To Fail Spore Tests

For this reason, it is vitally important that the Air Jet Valve on your Tuttnauer Autoclave be kept clean.

*Clean the Tuttnauer Autoclave Air Jet Valve at least once per week.

A dirty Air Jet is the number one cause of failed spore tests on the Tuttnauer Autoclave

It is required that the Tuttnauer Air Jet Valve, which is located just inside the Water
Reservoir, be cleaned once per week, or more often if necessary, to
remove any accumulated dirt and debris.

Failure to keep the Air Jet clean will result in a malfunctioning of autoclave.
This will be demonstrated by indicator strips that do not turn and failed spore tests as well as error messages on the
Tuttnauer E Series Autoclaves.

Cleaning the Tuttnauer Autoclave Air Jet Valve is a fairly simple process. The only tool you will need is a pencil, or a
pen, or a screwdriver and only takes a minute to complete

1. Remove the Water Reservoir Cover From Your Tuttnauer Autoclave For Access To The Jet Air Valve
2. With an object similar to a pencil or screwdriver snag the loop on the end of
   the clean out wire protruding from the Air Jet
3. Move that clean out wire in the Air Jet back and forth 10 times
   
   Note: It is preferred to perform this procedure when the unit is running a cycle and under
   pressure, so any loosened debris will be blown away. But, it
   can be done while the unit is idle.
4. Put the Water Reservoir Cover back in it’s place and you are all done!

“Tuttnauer Autoclave Repair Made Simple™”