Help with cleaning dishwasher safe humidifier 4i

[grumpygirl]

Hello All- Finally got a new humidifier tank for my Resmed cpap and it is one that is dishwasher safe. However, I have not been able to figure out how to remove the heating plate on the bottom of the tank. My salesperson showed me how but I was in a big hurry and now I've forgotten how to unclip the hinges. I know I sound stupid but I don't want to force the thing and break my new unit. Anybody know how this is done?? It is the upgrade kit for my original 3i tank and I LOVE the idea of being able to put it in the dishwasher. HELP!! Thanks- GG

[Julie]

Hi - are you SURE you want to remove the heating plate? I'm not aware that (at least on machines I'm familiar with) you're supposed to ever do that, let alone wash it... the hum. tank yes, plate no.

[JDS74]

Here is a link to the user guide.

Removing the heater plate is not recommended.

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... er_eng.pdf

[grumpygirl]

This new humidifier is specifically made to wash in the dishwasher, my salesperson removed the plate in order to do that. I guess I will just have to call her and see if she can instruct me over the phone. Just thought someone on this site might have the same equipment and had removed the plate for cleaning. Thanks- GG

[Julie]

Don't want to get into anything, but have you read the clinician's manual? Not all salespeople are fully knowledgable! I have your machine and it never occurred to me to touch the plate at all.

[LSAT]

This new humidifier is specifically made to wash in the dishwasher, my salesperson removed the plate in order to do that. I guess I will just have to call her and see if she can instruct me over the phone. Just thought someone on this site might have the same equipment and had removed the plate for cleaning. Thanks- GG

If the Resmed instructions for that unit say "DO NOT REMOVE THE PLATE"...why would you listen to the DME?

[chunkyfrog]

If your chamber is the dishwasher-safe chamber, the metal plate is not an oval, but more triangular.
This plate can be removed. The round or oval plates cannot.
The back part will have two clips on it that form half hinges, (when reassembling, they will need to be inserted very carefully.)
The front (nose) portion will be held in place with a retaining latch.
Watch the last video for this tank:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... amber.html

[grumpygirl]

Thanks for the input. I have watched the video in fact that is how I found out that there was a unit that could be put in the dishwasher. Mine does have the hinges and the same heating element as described in the video for the Resmed that can be washed in the dishwasher. I still am having trouble figuring out how to manage getting the hinges up( or whatever) in order to remove the element. Will have to contact me salesperson I guess. Thanks All- GG

[Thewino]

Good morning Grumpy,

The newer Humidifier tanks for Resmed (container that holds the distiller water) are advertised as dishwasher safe.

Please don't confuse the Humidifier tank with the heater plate. The heater plate is the silver piece on the very bottom of the machine that the Humidifier tank is placed on top of. It is recommended that you wipe the heater plate to clean it.

But, certainly, there is not a need to remove the heater plate.

In fact, doing so might void your warranty. I would contact Resmed before trying this to ensure your warranty stays intact.

Best of Luck,
TheWino

[cpapist]

What in the world are you putting in your cpap that you would need to clean the tank in a dishwasher?????

I never clean my tank. Only distilled water goes in so it never gets dirty.

[grumpygirl]

Well, I have NEVER put anything in my tank other than distilled water and I still had a pinkish mold growing in several unreachable areas that even a good soak with vinegar would NOT remove. This tank(the container for water) IS washable in the dishwasher according to the manufacturer!!!!!! You remove the plate (the metal heating element on the bottom of the tank itself) BEFORE you put it in the dishwasher. I trust my salesperson, she has always been very informed and helpful with any new products and all my cpap needs; so watching her REMOVE the plate was something that certainly CAN be done-I just can't remember exactly how to do it. I had my 3 yr old grandson in tow that day and needless to say I was a bit distracted by his restlessness and need to "potty" just at the moment she was demonstrating. So-as I have said I guess I will have to call my salesperson and get better instructions- I did not get an instruction manual with my tank-maybe that would be my next move. The old tank was 5 yrs. old and was due for an upgrade anyway-I don't know why I had so much trouble with the mold but I decided it was a health hazard and was impossible to remove so the "new" tank seemed like a very good solution. Thanks to All- GG

[Julie]

Exactly - why would you WANT to clean the plate - it doesn't get dirty sitting under the plastic tank 24/7.

[chunkyfrog]

The metal bottom panel of the tank is not the heating plate. It can be removed if it has hinges.
When the tank is in place their two metal parts are touching.
The heating plate is the metal plate in the bottom of the humidifier device that covers the heating element,
It is NOT removable--at least not a good idea! Wiping the humidifier device inside and out is the only safe way to clean it.
The removable water tank is a different story.
Close examination of the transparent plastic latch mechanism may reveal how it holds together.
If pulling is unsuccessful, perhaps a gentle push will work.