Premier Pump Maintenance -- Cleaning the Internals & Removing the Cover

If you have ever wondered how to maintenance your premier vacuum pump, this video can help. It may seem a little daunting or overwhelming, but removing the oil reservoir and cover is pretty easy. Once you have the cover off you can clean the internals of your vacuum pump and if needed get access to the pump itself. Freeze dryer vacuum pumps can get full of moisture, food debris and unwanted particles and removing the cover can give you an easy way to clean the inside as well as that pesky oil viewing sight glass. This video gives step by step instructions on how to remove, clean and diagnose potential issues with the Harvestright Freeze Dryer Premier Vacuum Pump.
To get the new hardcopy FREEZE DRYING COOKBOOK, follow this link:
amzn.to/3hCWa1z
Check out the NEW! Freeze Drying Cookbook at:
www.freezedryingcookbook.com
The freeze dryer accessories you see in this, or other videos can be found at:
www.freezedryingsupplies.com
If you are thinking of buying a freeze dryer, support the community & purchase through us!
affiliates.harvestright.com/4...
It helps keep this KZbin content coming & allows us to do giveaways in our social media groups!
If you are interested in purchasing an AVID ARMOR chamber vacuum sealer, check out their site through this link and enter the Coupon Code LIVELIFESIMPLE to get 10% off your purchase!
www.avidarmor.com/?aff=43
For the Anova Sous Vide that I use: amzn.to/3WMGDLI
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The FLIR ONE Pro Thermal Camera I am using can be found at: amzn.to/3ErTa0B
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Join the FACEBOOK group (Retired at 40's Freeze Drying Group):
/ retiredat40livelifesimple
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Join our new MEWE freeze drying group:
mewe.com/group/5faad29bc03314...
________________________________________________________________________________________________ For products I used on this video and love!
www.amazon.com/shop/retiredat40
________________________________________________________________________________________________
#freezedryerpremierpump #freezedryerpumpmaintenance #premierpumpmaintenance

[@timpitzer3407]

Thanks, really helps understand the basics of the pump!

[@live.life.simple.]

Great to hear!

[@SuziPoozi]

I very much appreciate you making maintenance videos, thank you!

[@live.life.simple.]

You are welcome!

[@karenpolzin8297]

Thank you, was just looking at some discoloration in my site glass, and was thinking should I clean it or not. This is a great instructional video. THANK YOU!

[@live.life.simple.]

Glad it was helpful!

[@k.p.1139]

I stuck this in my saved folder. Thanks, Brian.

[@live.life.simple.]

Excellent!

[@ronaldmcghghy8896]

I “always” totally fill my pump with oil when I am going to store it for a bit…. Oil covered parts keep better covered in oil not in the air unprotected. Drain the extra oil before putting back into service.

[@elizaC3024]

Great information.

[@live.life.simple.]

Glad to hear it.

[@kathys9786]

FYI. My site glass did fall out. After much frustration, HR said to use silicon to "glue" it back in. So I did and everything is working well now. Thanks for this informative video!

[@live.life.simple.]

Sorry to hear that, hopefully you can get that fixed!

[@ShayneStegman]

My site glass leaks at the bottom (slow leak). I want to fix it with the silicone glue mentioned. Did you remove the seal holding the site glass in then glue it? I think mine will be mostly sealed and I just need to add a bead of silicone along the bottom half or I may do it all around the glass. Can you tell us how you glued yours back on and if you had to remove the seal? Did the seal go back on good or did you have to glue that as well?

[@johnadams5353]

No I would not be shocked how gunked up the JB pumps can get because the one I have just gave up the ghost. I cleaned mine out after every batch not every 20 like they recommended.

[@keranhumble6782]

My sight glass started leaking and my MTOR would not go below 700. I called HarvestRight and the told me that my vacuum error wasn't the leaky glass sight but they suggested replacing it anyway. They also sent me some videos on how to wrap the lines from the pump and freeze dryer with Teflon and self sealing wrap. This is so frustrating for me and I have been putting off replacing the front cover of the pump. Your video is quite timely! I have had my freeze dryer since October 2021. Sadly I have not used it as much as I should and would have liked to. I have been dealing with some health issues that have kept me from doing more. I am able to garden now and need my freeze dryer to store my crops. I plan on going one step at a time fixing this leak issue because I do not want to take my machine apart to wrap all the lines. I figure I would like to do the pump first and wrap the pressure release valve including the tubing fitting you said could possibly be a cause for leakage. Could you tell me the size that the replacement valve would be at the pressure release? I do not want to take it off and take it to the store to find a replacement. Please give me your thoughts on the way I should proceed. Thank you for all your videos and products.

[@live.life.simple.]

I'm not sure of the size off the top.of my head. A search in the Facebook or mewe group would get you your answer. Use the 🔎 for search.

[@kimblychen9204]

I just discovered your channel, I love it, you are doing good for everyone, I have subscribed. Thank you for sharing. I also want to buy a freeze-drying machine. I want to make some freeze-dried meat. I am in Canada. Do you know where I can buy it? Which brand is better in quality? I want to buy a larger machine that can make tens or hundreds of pounds each time. Please let me know if possible.

[@davidcarson7897]

I know this is off topic but would a pressure chamber help with the rehydration of stubborn foods? Just a thought.

[@coreybrown3137]

Hey Brian thanks for all the great videos. The demister what is needed to maintain it? I have seen it has a filter should it be replaced?

[@live.life.simple.]

I have a video on fixing the "fog" that goes over cleaning the demister

[@user-kl3qo2od2s]

My oil gets really dark and smells burnt after only a couple of runs. I did a pump flush didnt seem to help for long and im wondering if I have rust. How would you suggest cleaning if rust is involved?

[@andyhummel5696]

Mine has a vacuum leak through the oil filler camp. Any idea what that could be? It’s brand new picked it up yesterday

[@UpNorthOfThe49th]

I need a seal kit for the interior cleaning of this pump. Where can I get the gasket and seal rebuild kit? Who manufactures this pump?

[@LifeIsJustLiveIt]

Hey Brian, I have a premier pump less than a year old. I was getting the vacuum error. Decided to drain the oil which we just put in not to cycles ago, couple months I guess. Anyway it's freakin nasty and full of water??? After watching your video I tore the pump down to clean it. Any idea how water got into the pump.

[@mtbeers1670]

Brian need to go over the cleaning of the demister please.

[@live.life.simple.]

This video covers it kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-un3Z3a9SCp68

[@tylerliberty4162]

Just bought a brand new harvest right medium size freeze dryer and the machine is saying in adequate pump. Any ideas on how to fix this?

[@danhandke5012]

❤❤❤❤

[@brittanirichards5188]

My demister will not come off! I don't know if its cross threaded at the bottom from pressure or what. Is that possible? How can i take it off without ruining it 😢

[@noplacelikehome9116]

My demister is really gross inside. Any ideas how to clean that? I've tried a paper towel (lint free) but it's not very clean. Is there a filter in there that can be changed?

[@live.life.simple.]

This video might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-un3Z3a9SCp68

[@aliciahoward1598]

How do I clean behind that clear circle? Mine is maroon gunk from something inside.

[@live.life.simple.]

cotton swab or pipe cleaner. You can also try some brake or carb cleaner

[@hazelkemp9490]

I know this isn’t related to the video… but I’m curious about tofu? Could a seasoned freeze dried tofu bite be a great high protein snack?

[@The-Grateful-Hippie]

I've done tofu chunks for hot and sour soup. It freeze drys well but I used the extra firm. I've not tried eating it dry.

[@lindalevrio3319]

I have one of the original premier pumps and we need a sill..HR does not sell them..where can I get one..the manufactures name is not on the pump to try and get one from them..help!!

[@live.life.simple.]

Try navac

[@gigihenderson8567]

The O ring on my demister won’t stay seated. Not sure why, but it’s a challenge to get it to stay in place when I am replacing it after adding oil. It hasn’t been used yet, but I have to watch closely as I screw down the demister and hope that it’s in place! Any ideas on how to get it to hold?

[@noplacelikehome9116]

I would contact harvest right for a new O ring. They are fantastic about helping you out if a part fails or doesn't fit right. I had a motherboard go bad and they shipped me out a new one in no time and were even willing to walk me through installation if I needed it (I didn't, but still!) Great company with a great product.

[@live.life.simple.]

Put some oil on it and it should stay

[@angiepeevy7680]

where can I buy a new demister filter?

[@eyes2see438]

Harvest right.

[@mrs.wilson5196]

Question, my new pump gets very very very hot, is that normal?

[@live.life.simple.]

Vacuum pumps get very hot and to some extent they are designed to run hot for several reasons.

[@mrs.wilson5196]

@@live.life.simple. Thank you and have an awesome day!!

[@3DFLYLOW]

Yeah I find it slightly concerning but everything seems to be okay. Using a temperature gun I'm getting readings of a 150°.

[@debbiedowers3927]

How "new" are the pumps that don't rust? Mine is 18 months old and was leaking oil. Hubby took it apart today and it's full of rust, corrosion, and crud. The screens are full of rust and black gritty particled that feel like metal pieces. Really disappointed in the pump quality!

[@live.life.simple.]

a freeze dryer pump is exposed to water constantly. Even stainless will start to rust or corrode over time