Ceramic Plates
Every Odor Free ozone generator comes with 2, 3 or 4 plates, depending on the model. They are the heart of the unit and create the ozone. They easily slide out the back of the unit like a CD for cleaning every 3 to 4 months with regular use. Just wash with detergent or spray cleaner, rinse with hot water and dry completely.
All ozone generators will require periodic cleaning of the ozone producing element. After 3 to 4 months of routine usage an invisible film can build up on the ceramic plates. This film will prevent the Odor Free from producing the maximum amount of ozone. Reduced ozone production indicates it is time to clean the plates. If treatments are not as effective as they initially were, or the smell of ozone is not detected after the treatment, the ozone output has probably diminished and the plates need to be cleaned.
Cleaning the plates is quick and easy. Remove the plates from the back of the Odor Free, treat with a strong detergent, vinegar or bleach, scrub with a brush, and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Allow time for the plates to dry, or use a hairdryer, before re-inserting.
The manner in which the machine is used will determine how often the plates need to be cleaned. If the Odor Free is utilized for daily treatments, the plates will need to be cleaned more often than a machine that is only used a few times per year. If used daily the plates may need to be cleaned every 4 to 5 weeks, whereas the plates in a unit that is used only once a month may not need to be cleaned for over a year.
Under normal conditions the plates can be cleaned and reused for years. If used daily or in caustic environments, the film may not be removable after a number of cleanings, requiring replacement. If used less often, the plates normally last several years or longer.
Beware of ozone machines that do not allow the buyer to easily clean the plates. Ozone generators with plates that cannot be cleaned will stop functioning. This is especially true of mica plates. The mica material cannot be easily cleaned, so once the film inevitably builds up on the mica plates, ozone output drops dramatically making it a throwaway product, or requiring a costly return to the factory.
