First time to use it worked wonderfully but the book is terrible, do I really have to take the valves apart and clean them every time I use it?
164874
Well, I don't -- I just check the valve to see if I can see daylight through the hole. If you don't see food particles, you're probably OK. More important, in my opinion, is not letting the round rubber seal in the lid go too long before you take it out, wash it, and re-oil it with vegetable oil. You don't want that to get brittle.
164875
Well, I don't -- I just check the valve to see if I can see daylight through the hole. If you don't see food particles, you're probably OK.More important, in my opinion, is not letting the round rubber seal in the lid go too long before you take it out, wash it, and re-oil it with vegetable oil. You don't want that to get brittle.
164876
I haven't cleaned any valves and it's still working perfectly. Have had it several months and we use it weekly. Still working well!
164877
No, you dont, but make sure they are clean. This is my 3rd one and I love it, it is a very good brand and a household item in Spain.
342696
Use a baby bottle cleaner. It has a small tip for the bite valve and a brush head for the bottle. Works great!
839714
The valves needs to come out. You need to squeeze or bite the sides as you are blowing air into it. We have bought 12 of these. We keep buying and having to buy more to give to our other boater friends. Everyone lives them. Hope this info helps.
159569
I had trouble with that too. You have to be very careful as the alignment of it very precise. If you don't do it exact you will hit the valve and it will release water. Do this just temporary. Put the whole thing on your kitchen counter top so that you can see it closer. Do this with no water in the tank just to practice. You will see what has to be lined up to keep from hitting the valve to soon.Practice putting the tank in place. This will let you see how precise you have to be to not hit the valve to soon. Now put the unit back on the floor and go thru the motions you just learned. You got to be patient. Hope this will help you. Al I had trouble with that too. You have to be very careful as the alignment of it very precise. If you don't do it exact you will hit the valve and it will release water. Do this just temporary. Put the whole thing on your kitchen counter top so that you can see it closer. Do this with no water in the tank just to practice. You will see what has to be lined up to keep from hitting the valve to soon.Practice putting the tank in place. This will let you see how precise you have to be to not hit the valve to soon. Now put the unit back on the floor and go thru the motions you just learned.... » Read More I had trouble with that too. You have to be very careful as the alignment of it very precise. If you don't do it exact you will hit the valve and it will release water. Do this just temporary. Put the whole thing on your kitchen counter top so that you can see it closer. Do this with no water in the tank just to practice. You will see what has to be lined up to keep from hitting the valve to soon.Practice putting the tank in place. This will let you see how precise you have to be to not hit the valve to soon. Now put the unit back on the floor and go thru the motions you just learned. You got to be patient. Hope this will help you. Al « Show Less
1811476
My wife says: I frequently did, and I sent them through the dishwasher too. I think Ameda doesn't recommend it, especially for the white valves (the cheapest part that also has the biggest impact on suction), so I would just remove those and replace them frequently. They actually told me as much over the phone. I think you can still boil the valves, though.
1710612
No, none from me with 5 valves so far. You can take it apart and clean it maybe and reassemble?
1122537
I used a small tooth pick to hold the valve open,, rolled up nicely completely deflated, hope this helps (just be careful not to damage the valve, pinch it and look inside, you'll see how it works,,, pinch it, slide the toothpick in and bingo)
406674
The video i saw shows that you need to use the red valve for a good 3 seconds to flush out the system the first time you use it.
2208057
I had the same problem and I read the book and did as recommended and took it apart and cleaned it. I programmed it correctly and it still didn't work. A lot of money to spend just for one summer, so I'm very disappointed.
778200
No, the feed valve that it came with also leaked. Called the manufacturer and they said to contact Amazon. Amazon said send the whole thing back. Price is great, but quality is very poor.
342689
I just wash with detergent and water and let it air dry completely before putting it back on. If I've forgotten to wash it right away and it looks a little grungy I'll roll a corner of a paper towel so it fits in the valve and twist it around a few times. This usually gets everything out. A bottle/nipple brush would probably work better but this works for me. When in doubt I let it soak in bleach water first.
1584889
i have no idea why you usesd the vinegar and water, i do not recall the directions saying anything like this. i just dumped the bottle in neat the intake valve and it worked, if it does not go away may have to drain and refill
1466458
i fill it with hot soapy water and squeeze it out through the valve. i rinse it well and repeat with clear water.tada, it's nice and clean.
1683926
I just cleaned mine actually...I just took it apart entirely and hand washed it like any other bottle...make sure u don't wash the filter though...that was just how I did it!!
1377872
Did you leave it until it turned off by itself when cleaning? The first time I cleaned it I turned it off after the cycle had completed. Then read the book and learned I should have left it on until it turned off automatically. Had no problem the second time I cleaned it.
356815
I would be careful on how much force to use. I just purchased a new valve for a leaky tank, but when pulling out the old plastic insert, I could hear the crunching of plastic and indeed, the plastic around the opening had crumbled, making a new valve pointless, and requiring me to purchase a replacement tank. I wasn't even pulling that hard, or twisting it, but apparently after 10 years the plastic tank isn't in mint condition anymore.
1677724
It would be extremely hard to reuse this. If you were able to remove the top pressure valve it looks like it would be very hard to replace it. For this reason I say know.