Troubleshooting a Spritzer: Help Needed!

[melaniepc]

a past guest just emailed me .. she bought the spritzer back in july and just now opened it.. she cant get it to work, she said she had her husband look at it too and cant get it to work, maybe there is a trick to it? I dont have one and havent used one so I am not sure if she is missing something or if its broken

 

[chefann]

It needs several pumps to get it to work. I find that it's best to pump it until it can't be pumped any more to really build up the pressure. If it's overfilled, it won't work well, either. And one thing I've learned is to release the extra pressure when you're done (turn the screw-on top until it opens and stops hissing). That will help extend the spritzer's life.

 

[peichef]

ditto what Ann said.She'll need to pump it until she can't pump it any more!! Once it's well pumped, she ought to be able to spray a whole muffin pan (or mini muffin pan) in one blast.The tip to release the pressure by unscrewing the cap is KEY to preserving the longevity of the spritzer. Do this after EVERY USE. I always hold a damp cloth / paper towel around the neck & base of the spritzer when I do it, so the container doesn't get oily.I have had some customers who have found the first spray mechanism to be a dud. So.. if she tries everything you suggest, get her to try the replacement mechanism to see if it works any better.
HTH.

 

[chefann]

They come with 2 now, so that customers have a built-in replacement.Another thing that will help the life is to clean it regularly. I use refills as a reminder. When mine (I have 3 on my stove - veg. oil, our basil oil, and our garlic oil) are empty, I unscrew them and let all the parts soak in a bowl of hot soapy water. Scrub them off, then refill and reassemble.

 

[melaniepc]

ok thanks , I will pass that on to her

 

[SassyCook]

I have one that doesn't build presser very well. If you move the cap straight up and down it doesn't work, But if the tilt the cap just a tiny bit so that it seals it will build presser.

 

[babywings76]

I have another question about the spritzer...

Are you supposed to remove the cap/pumping thing so you can release the pressure, and then store it with the cap off? After I release the pressure, I want to store it with the cap on, but when I put it on, it's doing a pump, and therefore creating some pressure again.

 

[chefann]

That little bit of pressure is OK - store it with the cap on.

 

[JAE]

Don't tell anyone, but when I wasn't selling PC for a few years I bought two new spritzers from Bed Bath and Beyond. I love them. Never had a problem. I don't have the PC ones and probably won't buy them. I take mine to shows and use them secretly before guests arrive if I need them, but usually I'll just brush on oil with the Silicone Basting Brush that came in the New Consultant Kit.

 

[pcchefjane]

I got one as well and could not get either pump to work. I wonder if it is because I put the oil in the fridge in them. Does it hurt to leave the oil out? Should I just partially fill it then empty it after each use??

 

[chefann]

Just leave it on the counter. There's no need to refrigerate oil. And it will make the oil too thick to work in the spritzer.