My Scunci steamer won't work. It heats up, builds pressure, but steam won't come out. Please help.
By rita from Cleveland, OH
Take it back or do this; To fix the problem of no steam coming out or steam coming out without pushing the button.
Do this:
1. Remove the two screws from the from of the steamer then remove the end cap.
2. Removed screw from the lower area of handle.
3.Top of steamer, remove the two screws under round rubber flap around fill hole.
4. Removed back of handle, top of steamer, front of steamer where nozzles attach.
5. Remove the plastic tube where the steam comes out.
6. Now look in the hole where the steam comes out and remove the 1/4 inch nut, metal washer, and rubber washer.
7. Take a small punch and lightly tap the brass rod until it pops out the back.
8. Remove the brass rod and spring. " The spring will have white crud on it and in the hole where it came out of. Clean the hole and spring really good. This will fix the problem of steam always coming out with out pushing the button."
9. Clean the brass rod, spring, and hole that they go into. I use a very small round wire brush. "Like the kind you might use to clean a gun."
10. Spray some WD40 in the hole and on the brass rod, then put a few drops of oil on the rod.
11. Put every thing back together and it will work like new.
12. Don't use tap water in the steamer and you will not get the build up.good luck.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
There was a post in November of 2009 listing needed steps for repairing a Scunci steamer. At one point it very blithely states: 6. Now look in the hole where the steam comes out and remove the 1/4 inch nut, metal washer, and rubber washer. But I have no idea what tool is needed to take out the washers.
They seem to be held fast by the post that the nut was on. I can't for the life of me figure this one out. I have tried asking both my son-in-law and his brother. Help! It was a post by kffrmw88. Anyone have any idea what is holding this thing in place? I am trying to do it myself. Thanks.By Kristen C.
I did this and it really worked. Very happy to have it back in service. First, do not try to remove the rubber collar/washer under the cap. Just lift up the sides and the screws are right there. What you will need to remove the nut is a 1/4 inch socket which they sell individually at the big box stores if you don't have a socket set.
A medium size flat-bladed screwdriver stuck in the other end will do the trick to turn it. I then ran a thin bladed knife around the outside of the washers under the nut which removed a lot of debris, then tapped the brass rod out.
Also used a dilute solution to clean out the container. When re-assembling, The socket came in handy for pushing the washers down on the brass post. Then, put the top back on first, making sure the spring is lined up on the post, and then the handle. Works as good as when it was new.
Scunci SS-1000.
I am glad I found this repair site. It provided motivation to attempt a repair, along with the shocking expense of a new one. I payed less than $50 years ago and I now see they are about $200. My problem was nothing happened when I pressed the trigger. I poured in the suggested vinegar, screwed the cap tight, plugged it in, let it heat up. Pressed the trigger...nothing. Unplugged it. Shook it, left the vinegar in so as to soak overnight. Repeated everything the next day. Still nothing. After letting it cool, I disassembled the top portion following Kathleen W's excellent directions. However upon pushing the protruding brass head/plunger I could tell it was stuck. Instead of disassembling that mechanism I sprayed WD-40 around the brass's perimeter. After a bit of soaking I manually pushed on the brass head and it released.
So I followed the suggestions and now the steamer works, but the handle got very hot. I need an oven mitt to hold it! I know that's not right and potentially dangerous. It was really hard to get the washers and nut back on the rod so I hope I don't have to do that part again! :(
Any advice welcome. After spending a ton of time trying to fix it, I'd love to be able to keep it if I can fix the hot handle problem.
Get a silicone pot handle cover and it will solve your problem. I put mine on my cast iron pans, which get extremely hot. Make sure it is a good quality, and you will be fine.
If it is getting this hot and it was not like this before then it is put back together wrong. Normally these do not get that hot when using them. Maybe after the repair this is how it will work now.
How do I repair it?
It might be full of scale and the nozzle may be clogged. They sell a de-scaler. You may also have a blown fuse. You would have to disassemble it to get to the fuse.
Other people experience this problem also:
www.fixya.com/
One person wrote it could be a fuse issue. You will need to take take the bottom off, find white wire from the element, bridge the offending fuse located under the special insulation, with a piece of wire - if you can't replace it, re-assemble, and it should work - Per Harold.
There is more than one model of the Scunci Steamer so you'll have to look for the suggestion that fits your model.
It may need to decalcify:
Fill the water tank with 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 distilled water. Run the steamer until half the mixture has steamed. Unplug and allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Rinse and repeat... as many times as necessary until steam returns to normal (could be 2-3 times).
You can also use a commercial product:
www.amazon.com/
Here are some instructions for 2 different models:
www.fixya.com/
This problem is universal so you might want to read some suggestions from other sites:
howtomendit.com/
answers.yahoo.com/
Here is a link to previous answers on the ThriftyFun site:
www.thriftyfun.com/
I have a Scunci steamer. It wasn't steaming so I took it apart and cleaned and de-limed the rod and everything in it. I put it back together and it will not steam or heat up. What else can I do?
HI there! There are people here on Thriftyfun who had the same problem with you and they were fixed by taking them apart. However, they suggested it was important you not remove the rubber collar/washer under the cap.
Check out the steps here:
www.thriftyfun.com/
This is a good product but requires only distilled water or the calcium build up will cause problems.
I have a SCUNCI ps3888 steamer it looks kinda like a tea kettle. It worked perfect the last time I used it. a few months have passed. Now I need it again and absolutely. "0" steam comes out the nozzle. If I turn the lid just a little steam comes out the lid area I have put white vinegar and distilled water in it and heated it back up I even tried gently shaking the water mixture around in it. Still no steam out the nozzle. I checked the nozzle and it is clear.
What else can I clean my Pro Steam Scunci with if I don't have any white vinegar?
I would go out and buy the vinegar. That is what is recommended. Nothing will happen if you wait a few days to clean it.
If white vinegar is recommended that'd be the one I'd use. Any family/friends nearby where you can get some or a neighbor. If not nearest store when you have time to clean your pro steam machine.
I have a Scunci Pro steamer model ps3888 and I can't unscrew the cap to add water.
Apply mineral oil or WD-40 and let it sink in.
I removed the rubber flap on the Scuni Steamer and now it won't go back on securely. How did you get it back on securely?
By Kysha H
How can I get the steam to the attachments?
By Angela
