How to properly clean the demister on your Harvest Right Vacuum Pump

[@2guysandacooler]

There are a few videos out there that say you should just throw away the demister when it gets dirty and buy a new one (which costs 30 bucks or so). I say, save a few bucks and clean it yourself😉😉. For information on the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer and their massive sale they have going on right now click here: tinyurl.com/59ujbnp6

[@kimgee2969]

Where can I buy a demister? HR doesn't have them on their site that, i can see. Thanks

[@jesuschristismylordandsavi6108]

I don't know if this has been addressed so here it is now. After you start the threads to screw the cap down at the end, be sure and look to make sure you did not bump the cap and the O-ring fall out. If it did and you screw it tight it will damage the O-ring. The reason I say this is because clumsy me when I was screwing my cap back on, I bumped the cap and the O-ring fell out. Luckily I checked before tightening. You are a very very good teacher. Thank you so much for your professionalism and detailed explanation. Lord Jesus bless you and yours.

[@jocelynmarivicesparterohow9149]

I don't own a freeze dryer yet. I'd love to own one, that's why I'm exploring the pros and cons of what's involve in owning one. I'm thankful to have found this video which gave me a part of understanding on how to maintain certain cleaning parts of a freeze-drying machine. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. New subscriber of your You Tube channel.

[@stillnessbetween5103]

I bought my unit quite a few years ago with the original pump, and when the oiless units were introduced I bit the bullet and bought one. My decision was made due to the fact that I have used vacuum pumps for years on A/C units and the oil changes are somewhat inconvenient, and expensive! That oil is not cheap. Harvest Right does offer a nice filtering system for oil.I am happy with the new unit and haven't looked back. Yes, it is not for every budget. I understand that. You do with what you have. Thank you for your info and enthusiasm!

[@pamhoven]

Thank you for creating this video! It’s been very helpful for me!

[@jenniferyoung2783]

We tried using quarters but couldn't. A bit of the plastic broke off, and we had bent two of our quarters. We tried using a flat head screwdriver, and we were able to open it. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@mgold4685]

Yes...Tried that Spring for replacement...

[@kendaleklund7475]

I would recommend purchasing a second filter so you can install a new one then clean the old one and let it dry so it’s ready to be used the next time it needs cleaning!

[@pamhoven]

I checked the website but do not see filters. Do you know where I can buy a spare one?

[@kendaleklund7475]

You may have to call the manufacture for the correct part for your pump. @@pamhoven

[@Fiona2254]

Yeah I’ve got a second but I’m unable to unscrew that plastic cover with a quarter. I’m beyond frustrated at this point.

[@pamhoven]

@@Fiona2254 the same happened to me. I wound up using two quarters and a large pliers, and gave it a few quick jerks, and it came free. Mine had quite a bit of locktite on it.

[@thedude2367]

I used a butter knife and a pair of vice grips. Worked like a charm.

[@lizard2425]

Outstanding video! Clear, concise, and complete. Thank you!

[@mrrberger]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner on my filters, noisey but super effective.

[@MrMan_47]

What solution did you use?

[@nancysala7769]

Absolutely the best video for cleaning the demister. Thank you

[@shmilyforrest]

Kudos on your (should be award-winning) videos. Long story short, received my new Premier Industrial Pump from HR. Arrived an oily mess. It must have been turned or rolled in transit and the remaining oil in the pump drained into the demister. Ugh. I cleaned it up, but now it's for the filter. Question. After cleaning with Dawn and a thorough rinse, would it hurt to give a final rinse with alcohol knowing it will cut through any remaining oil and prevent any sticky residue on the filter material? (no, not on the o rings) I think it will also help with the drying process.

[@SaraKate-gb1pe]

Thanks! I am new at all of this and your video is most helpful!

[@DM-fz3ly]

Excellent tutorial!!!

[@modus16222]

excellent how to video!!

[@jeffmadison8420]

Need an in depth video on the stay fresh pump,and its demister…mainly the demister

[@fbull66]

What oil do you use

[@ShepFL002]

A video on vacuum chamber sealers would be nice - what to look for as hobby guy or small business.

[@mgold4685]

Get one that comes with two sealer bars. One for standard plastic bags and one for mylar.

[@milahoward122]

What kind of soap do you use?

[@jrhattenstein]

Love the song today

[@bradh74]

I'm lost without sausage month now. I'll bet it's nice to get back to normal for though, Eric. I wonder if they're coming out with a more affordable/entry level freeze dryer?

[@2guysandacooler]

Not sure. I know with the popularity of these units and the rising competition; the price might start to drop. Hard to say

[@Suki5187]

I literally bent a quarter trying to remove the filter. Any more force would have ruined the casing slot. Apart from buying a replacement, I can’t think of any other options.

[@T4nkcommander]

Mine was ridiculously tight the first time, to the point where I broke part of the plastic that helped align it.

[@MarcStLouis-cr7yk]

How do I reset my machine so that it is not telling me to change the oil??? GB

[@QuinnShirley-x1p]

How do you know when it's time to clean your demister?

[@2guysandacooler]

you pump might not be getting a good vacuum or the demister is super dirty

[@QuinnShirley-x1p]

Thank you. I finished a load of strawberries and unfortunately opened the valve while the pump was still running. The machine said pump off so I just thought the condenser was running. I didn't realize until 15 min. Later that I needed to hit pump off. I am changing oil today and praying all.is okay.

[@spockmcoyissmart961]

I find that I can see the sun's rays coming through the window in the FD room. There is a fine oil mist in the air, and the rays of the sun glow in the oil misty air. Very specialized testing procedure!

[@barbaramandy8708]

@@spockmcoyissmart961 I read comments in another video about cleaning the pump (Live.Life.Simple.) that the mist, even if not really visible, can be very harmful. Other comments reiterated the need for an air quality filter running while the FD is running. I'm concerned about what I might have been breathing for the past 18 months. Has anyone else heard of this?

[@spockmcoyissmart961]

@@barbaramandy8708 Fortunately, it is a food grade mineral oil, very low toxicity levels and humans can drink mineral oil for certain ailments. Do I want to breathe it? No, but passing through the room, doesn't concern me. It is heavier than air, so it will settle to the floor/furnishings. Now working over a Long John Silver fryer would concern me. ;)

[@ritababcock9514]

where can I purchase a demister filter replacement?

[@2guysandacooler]

you have to contact Harvest Right support and let them know that you want to purchase a demister. They will send you a purchase link and from there you can get one. Apparently, they don't really sell replacements parts on their site.

[@ritababcock9514]

@@2guysandacooler Thanks so much for your reply~ I got one ordered and paid for via the emailed link. $35 plus tax

[@bmills284]

I cleaned it and set it out to dry and today when i went to see if it was dry when i picked it up and ran my fingers over it there was still some oil. 😢 i thought i had it all out. Wasted a day. Do i have to repeat it all over? How frustrating that i couldnt tell when it was wet that all the oil was out. This was a brand new demister and after 12 batches oil was leaking out.

[@RantzBizGroup]

Also, if you still feel ANY oily residue, clean it again until there’s NO residue left. If you have dried meat this may take quite a few rounds.

[@DrueGaugert]

Can you use a blow dryer to dry the filter out?

[@2guysandacooler]

yes

[@franfournier5692]

I have both pumps.. jb .. it stopped making vacuum. and the Harvest Right oil less,, also stopped working (bearings seized, seals worn out) not a good design.. I now find out that they say it needs to be rebuilt every 2-3 years for $375. .. wouldn't buy either again.. wondering if an oilless laboratory pump will work ok? Much cheaper..

[@CariFrank-g9e]

10:41 10:41 Should I be concerned with this? I cleaned it but stained a bit?

[@alpergungor5522]

Are there any professional guys who can fix HR machine in Jacksonville FL?

[@Fiona2254]

Whomever put in that filter tightened it so hard I can’t get it with a quarter even with a wrench to torque it. I’m so frustrated at this point I want to toss the whole thing.

[@2guysandacooler]

That sucks.

[@razzy877sp]

How does the machine know we did a oil cgange

[@2guysandacooler]

It doesn't. There's more than likely a counter that tells the machine how many batches the machine has run. After so many batches the machine probably automatically sends a message to the display.

[@bobbywelch6035]

I will never understand why manufacturers DO NOT smooth the sharp edges that can injure people........

[@paulac1315]

Harvest right has a video that said you never need to change or clean your filter?!? Figure that one out.

[@2guysandacooler]

😂😂😂 That's funny!!

[@deawallace3584]

H. R. is a horrible company. Page 3 of their manual says, " tip the pump to drain any remaining oil." Then page 4 says, " do not tilt the pump..." I called their cust. service once and the sweet girl told me she had no idea what I was talking about and that she just was working their until college started in a couple of months. LOL I bought a large fd for my daughter that never worked. Two years later, after much anger, H.R. took it back and shipped her one, but she lost 2 years of being able to preserve food from her garden. A $4,000 lesson learned. H.R. are crooks.I try to warn others that any money you send them....is gambling on a loss.

[@TheBoochYLL]

My demister WON'T come apart. My quarter literally bent. Wtf

[@user-tx7ne3cx2d]

Had the same issue today. The quarter got warped. Switched to a very flat wrench and was able to open it.

[@stevenfeil7079]

7:50 Your demister is NEARLY clean. You did not clean the INSIDE of the filter. I have a demister filter that is horrifically dirty on the inside and will require special attention.

[@2guysandacooler]

LOL. Yeah. Perhaps and overnight soak in a strong degreaser will do the trick.

[@pz8265]

Better advice: avoid Harvest Right and buy another brand.

[@thedude2367]

I run my harvestright freeze dryer for about 16 hours a day every day on average for the last 3 years, making freeze dried candy to raise money for a cat rescue, haven’t had a single problem.

[@pz8265]

@@thedude2367 so what's your point? *if* you're being honest, that doesn't negate the tens of thousands of horror stories from that horrible company and those horrible machines. Harvest Right themselves have published statistics of their failure rate and they're absolutely horrendous.

[@jeremydean6210]

Harvest right is garbage

[@deawallace3584]

I bought a large H.R. freeze dryer for my daughter and it would not work!! After TWO YEARS, they took it back and sent her one that works. Horrible company with horrible customer service. She lost her harvest of two summers of food from the garden. ! There are other brands I will take a chance on...never anything from H.R. again. ODD that people who have not trouble with their FD get irritated that I am telling the truth of my experience, but my doing so may keep others from losing $4,000 to bad people.