Hydrocollators
Maintenance Guide
Hydrocollators
OrthoCanada is a distributor of Enovis products in Canada, including hydrocollators. Here is some general information on maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Remove all of the contents from inside the Hydrocollator.
- Carefully take the hydrocollator out of the shipping box and keep the box and foam stored for possible future use.
- Do a visual inspection.
- Place the wire rack inside the unit and place the unit in the desired location. The Hydrocollator Heating Unit should not be installed above a surface that is susceptible to casual water damage.
- Make certain the drain valve is closed before filling the tank with water. Do not plug the unit into the wall outlet before the tank is ¾ full (without the hot packs).
- The tank may be filled from any standard type of faucet. If you suspect that you have “hard water,” or highly chlorinated water, the addition of a dechlorinator is recommended.
- The new unused hot packs will need to be soaked in warm water. In a large enamelled or stainless-steel pan, cover the packs completely and let them soak for 2 hours before adding them to the heated hydrocollator unit.
- It is very important to allow the water inside the hydrocollator tank to heat up and reach the proper temperature before adding the hot packs. Ex: M2 and M4, 8 hours; SS2 and E2, 4 hours; E1, 2 hours.
- When the unit is plugged in, the indicator light on the front of the unit should be lit, and the over-temperature lamp at the back of the unit should be off.
- Hydrocollators have been tested and preset at the factory to normal operating temperature between 160°F and 165°F. The temperature knob should not be repositioned unless otherwise recommended by the vendor.
- Top up the hydrocollator daily with water as it evaporates during operation. Never add essential oils to hydrocollator water.
Regular cleaning of the unit (every two weeks) will ensure optimal operation.
When cleaning the tank, always unplug the Hydrocollator Heating Unit from the power source before attempting to empty the water.
Drain water from the back of the unit and wash using a 50/50 vinegar and water solution and a soft cloth or green, blue, or white Scotch‐Brite™ type scouring pad. Rinse thoroughly. Do not use anything too abrasive, as you may damage the rustproof coating on the inside of the tank.
When cleaning, inspect the heating element for pitting and other visible damage. Remove all deposits from interior surfaces and parts. The deposits are concentrations of minerals that will allow rusting to begin. If allowed to accumulate on the heating element, these deposits will lower the efficiency of the element and increase the power consumption of the unit.
Exercise extreme care if cleaning the element or thermostat(s). These components can be easily damaged without proper care or caution.
No bleach or any cleaner with high chlorine content should be used under any circumstances.
Do not clean the unit with carbon steel wool or a carbon steel brush.
If you suspect that you have “hard water,” you may need to change the water and clean the unit more frequently. Salt deposits are an indication of hard water that will eventually cause rust.
Chlorine in regular tap water may be present in high enough concentrations to damage the unit. If you suspect high levels of chlorine are detected in the Hydrocollator Heating Unit, the addition of a dechlorinator is recommended.
For exterior cleaning, use only non‐abrasive stainless-steel polish with a soft cloth only. Inspect the unit for signs of leaking, the power cord for wear, fraying, and other visible damage during regular cleaning intervals.
A hot pack may be cleaned with soap and water; However, the best method of keeping the pack clean is to keep it immersed in water.
The life expectancy for hot packs is 1 year. When the packs begin to show signs of wear, the canvas material loses its thickness and the filler oozes and leaks through; sections of the pack appear to be loose and empty and will not retain heat properly.
The pack should be replaced when it reaches this state. Always slide the tongs into the specific hooks when handling the hot packs. Grabbing onto the hot pack directly with the tongs may damage them.
- Check to see if the thermostat has tripped.
- When the over-temperature thermostat trips, the red button pops out, and the red over-temperature lamp (on the back) should light.
- To reset the over-temperature thermostat, press the red button. The red button should stay in.
- If the over-temperature is tripping repeatedly, please contact the customer service team.
Important note about evenings, weekends, and holidays:
The unit should always stay turned on and heated to a temperature of 71-74 degrees Celsius throughout the evenings, weekends, and holidays.
If the unit is to be left unattended for a period of time, unplug the unit, remove the packs, empty the water, and clean the tank. The hot packs need to be removed from the water, placed in a plastic bag, and stored in the freezer.
If not properly stored, bacteria may form, causing a bad odour, and the canvas material may weaken. Conversely, if they are left out of the water for too long, they will dry out and become less effective.
Important note about water temperature:
If the water temperature has dropped to room temperature (below 70 degrees Celsius), the hot packs need to be removed from the water, placed in a plastic bag, and stored in the freezer.
If not, the hot packs will start smelling foul, and they may burst. Conversely, if they are left out of the water for too long, they will dry out and become less effective.
User Manual
Warranty Terms & Conditions
Enovis provides a limited one-year warranty on hydrocollators. Warranties typically cover manufacturer defects, not general wear and tear. You can contact the customer service team to help facilitate a warranty claim for any products purchased through OrthoCanada.
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