When using Merlin400, residue can build up and clog the tubes and channels inside Merlin.
Normally the Extended Cleaning will clear the clogging and make your Merlin run smoothly again.
But if the tubes and channels are seriously clogged, you will not be able to perform the Extended Cleaning.
The error messages in the app are more detailed than the error messages from the top panel on Merlin400. In many cases, the messages in the app will tell you if a specific valve is clogged, and advise you to clean it.
This article will guide you through the process of cleaning each of the 4 valves in Merlin400.
Before cleaning the valves, empty and clean Merlin400:
1 – open the Extraction chamber and remove the herb tube
2 – open the IPA tank and remove any IPA in it
3- open the top lid of the Distillation chamber, but leave the collection glass in place.
4 – Remove any residue from Merlin, as described in the ‘Basic Cleaning‘ article
5 – optionally remove one or both the side covers, to see and access the tubes and valves that need cleaning.
(You remove the side covers by placing your fingernails between the side panel and the black condenser on the back of your Merlin. Carefully pry the cover outwards – The first time it will stick to the top edge, but it will come loose if you keep prying carefully)
Valve1:
from Liquid to Extraction chamber
This valve will most often get clogged from leaving the herbs in the machine after extracting.
Used IPA will drip from the herb tube into the tube under the chamber, clogging it with plant fats etc.
To clean valve 1, follow this guide:
1 – Empty and prepare your Merlin:
1.1 – open the Extraction chamber and remove the herb tube
1.2 – open the IPA tank and remove any IPA in it
1.3 – open the top lid of the Distillation chamber, but leave the collection glass in place.
1.4 – optionally remove the side covers, to see and access the tubes and valves that need cleaning.
2 – Remove any excess IPA from the bottom of the Extraction chamber (to the left, where the herb tube goes) You can use the big syringe to remove excess IPA. If the chamber bottom is very dirty, you can add a bit of clean IPA to wash it, then remove it all using the syringe.
3 – open the app and go to the āSettingsā page.
From the āManual Valve Controlā section, choose āLIQ CH – EX CH (valve 1)ā
This will open valve 1, and allow for liquid to pass between the liquid- and the extraction chambers.
4 – open the lid to the IPA Chamber (to the right, marked with a droplet)
5 – Fill the 60ml syringe with 10-20 ml clean IPA. Press it against the bottom hole in the Extraction Chamber, and gently press the liquid through the tube.
You should see the liquid streaming into the IPA Chamber (from the bottom outlet)
5.1 – When the syringe is empty, pull and push the plunger a few times, to wash and suck excess IPA from the tube.
6 – Remove the dirty IPA and repeat #5 until the IPA coming into the IPA Chamber is clean.
7 – make sure the gasket at the bottom of the Extraction Chamber is in place.
Valve2:
Air into Extraction chamber (via Liquid chamber)
This valve and tube rarely get clogged. If it does, clean it by following this guide:
1 – Empty and prepare your Merlin:
1.1 – open the Extraction chamber and remove the herb tube
1.2 – open the IPA tank and remove any IPA in it
1.3- open the top lid of the Distillation chamber, but leave the collection glass in place.
1.4 – optionally remove the side covers, to see and access the tubes and valves that need cleaning.
2 – Remove any excess IPA from the bottom of the Extraction chamber (to the left, where the herb tube goes) You can use the big syringe to remove excess IPA. If the chamber bottom is very dirty, you can add a bit of clean IPA to wash it, then remove it all using the syringe.
3 – open the app and go to the āSettingsā page.
From the āManual Valve Controlā section, choose āAIR – EX CH (valve 2)ā
This will open valve 2, and allow for liquid to pass through the air channel going between the liquid- and the extraction chambers.
4 – open the lid to the IPA Chamber (to the right, marked with a droplet)
5 – Fill the 60ml syringe with 10-20 ml clean IPA. Press it against the bottom hole in the Extraction Chamber, and gently press the liquid through the tube.
You should see the liquid streaming into the IPA Chamber. (from the air inlet under the lid)
5.1 – When the syringe is empty, pull and push the plunger a few times, to wash and suck excess IPA from the tube. Aim at ending with an empty tube without any IPA in it.
6 – Remove the dirty IPA and repeat #5 until the IPA coming into the IPA Chamber is clean.
7 – make sure the gasket at the bottom of the Extraction Chamber is in place.
Valve 3:
from Extraction to Distillation chamber
This tube is the one that will be clogged most often. This tube feeds the dissolved extracts from the Extraction Chamber, through the lid and the tube, to the Distillation Chamber.
To clean valve 3 and the tube, follow this guide:
1 – Empty and prepare your Merlin:
1.1 – open the Extraction chamber and remove the herb tube
1.2 – open the IPA tank and remove any IPA in it
1.3- open the top lid of the Distillation chamber, but leave the collection glass in place.
1.4 – optionally remove the side covers, to see and access the tubes and valves that need cleaning.
2 – open the app and go to the āSettingsā page.
From the āManual Valve Controlā section, choose āEX – DIST CH (valve 3)ā
This will open valve 3, and allow for liquid to pass between the Extraction Chamber outlet and the Distillation Chamber.
3 – Open the lid to the Extraction Chamber, and locate the tube on the left side, leading from the lid. Carefully pull the tube off the lid. Avoid pulling it upwards too much.
3.1 – make sure you have the Oil Glass mounted under the Distillation Chamber.
3.2 – Fill the 60ml syringe with 10-20 ml clean IPA. Mount the syringe to the end of the tube you have just pulled off the lid, and gently press the liquid through the tube.
You should see the liquid streaming into the Distillation Chamber. (from one of the holes in the inside wall of the chamber)
3.3 – When the syringe is empty, pull and push the plunger a few times, to wash and suck excess IPA from the tube.
4 – repeat #3 until the IPA streaming into the Distillation Chamber is clean.
5 – Re-attach the tube to the lid. Make sure it is well-fitted and as far in as possible.
Empty the dirty IPA from the glass under the Distillation Chamber.
Valve 4:
Air into the Distillation chamber
This valve and tube rarely get clogged. If it does, you can clean it by following this guide:
1 – Empty and prepare your Merlin:
1.1 – open the Extraction chamber and remove the herb tube
1.2 – open the IPA tank and remove any IPA in it
1.3- open the top lid of the Distillation chamber, but leave the collection glass in place.
2 – Remove the left side cover by placing your fingernails between the side panel and the black condenser on the back of your Merlin. Carefully pry the cover outwards – The first time it will stick to the top edge, but it will come loose if you keep prying carefully.
3 – open the app and go to the āSettingsā page.
From the āManual Valve Controlā section, choose āAIR – DIST CH (valve 4)ā
This will open valve 4, and allow for liquid (or air) to pass between the Distillation – and Liquid chambers.
4 – locate the air inlet tube running through valve 4. How to do this depends on your Merlin model.
4.1 – on the Merlin models B02 – B04 (with 2 black caps on each side panel):
After removing the left side cover (as described in step #2) look under the round motor at the bottom. You will see a tube coming from the white valve assembly, reaching down into the black base of your Merlin.
4.2 – use your fingers and/or a thin screwdriver (or equivalent) to pull the end of the tube out, over the edge of the black base. It will be just long enough.
4.3 – on Merlin models B05 and forward (without black caps on the side panels):
After removing the left side cover (as described in step #2) you see the tube on the left, coming straight down through valve #4.
4.4 – use your fingers and/or a thin screwdriver (or equivalent) to pull the end of the tube over the edge of the black base.
5 – Double-check that you have a collection glass mounted under the Distillation chamber.
5.1 – Fill the 60ml syringe with 10-20 ml clean IPA. Mount the syringe to the tube end you have just accessed, and gently press the liquid through the tube.
You should see the liquid streaming into the Distillation Chamber. (from one of the holes on the inside wall of the chamber)
5.2 – When the syringe is empty, pull and push the plunger a few times, to wash and suck excess IPA from the tube. Repeat # 5.1 until the IPA streaming into the Distillation chamber is clear and clean.
6 – Push the tube back into Merlin, and make sure it is well embedded in its dedicated groove.
Re-attach the Side Panel, starting with the 3 āteethā on the edge opposite the black condenser.