Preventative Maintenance Guidelines for MULTIVAPs

Simple, ongoing care can go a long way toward keeping your MULTIVAP in excellent condition between formal PM inspections. These day-to-day tasks are best handled by lab personnel and are essential to preserving the longevity of your system.

Needles

After each run, needles should be cleaned to prevent corrosion, residue buildup, or cross-contamination. Needles can be cleaned by hand by wiping down the exterior with a damp cloth and then drawing a gentle cleaning solution though the needle using a syringe. Ultrasonic cleaners or autoclaves may also be used if appropriate for your lab’s protocol. Any needles that appear bent, corroded, or blocked should be replaced.

→ Read More: How to Clean Evaporation Needles

General Cleaning

The bath case, manifold, and needle guide (if you have one) can be cleaned with a non-abrasive pad such as a soft sponge or paper towel. Cleaning is recommended in the case of solvent spills or if a standard model evaporator has been used with a corrosive solvent. Avoid using organic solvents like acetone to clean blue-painted surfaces, as this can soften the paint. A mild laboratory detergent such as Liquinox or Alconox is fine. If unsure about your cleaner, try testing it on an inconspicuous area first.

Heat Bath Maintenance (water bath models only)

To minimize scale buildup, Organomation recommends changing the bath water weekly and using either distilled or deionized water as your heating medium. You can add a mild algaecide (like VWR’s Clear Bath or Fisher’s Bath Clear) to prevent biological growth, especially if water is left in the bath for extended periods.

Monthly cleaning can help prevent buildup on heating elements and other internal surfaces. Clean any rust or scale from the heaters and hex plate using a mild detergent like Liquinox and a non-abrasive scouring pad. The inner bath pan can be wiped down with a sponge or paper towel. Avoid using abrasive materials on the inner bath pan as this can scratch the black PTFE coating.

Air Filter

Check the air filter regularly for signs of discoloration or oil contamination. A compromised filter may reduce performance and should be replaced.

→ Read More: When to Replace the Air Filter in a Nitrogen Blower

Every one to two years, we recommend that your MULTIVAP undergo a more comprehensive inspection. Preventative maintenance ensures that parts remain aligned, flow is consistent, and worn components are proactively addressed before they can cause problems. This inspection can be performed in-house by lab personnel or by scheduling a visit with an authorized Organomation service partner.

⚠️ Caution: Always follow the official PM instructions for your specific model. This guide is intended to provide general recommendations only.

→ Find your PM documentation

Bath Calibration

Ensure that the bath reaches and maintains target temperatures. Recalibration is recommended every 1–2 years to ensure accuracy. For dry block models, Organomation offers heat block inserts to help position a thermometer shaft accurately for calibration.

Replacement of Routine Wear Parts

We recommend preemptively replacing the air filter, evaporation needles, and silicone gas distribution tubing during each PM interval for optimal performance, regardless of condition. Replacing these components proactively can help you avoid unexpected downtime or sample loss due to gas flow issues or contamination.

→ Request a quote for a PM kit

Manifold Alignment

The manifold should glide smoothly on its posts. If movement is jerky or the unit sticks, realignment or inspection may be required.

Needle Guide Alignment

For models with a needle guide, the needle guide plate should be parallel to the bath surface and should raise and lower with the adjustable nuts. If it is stuck in place, realignment may be required.

Other Wear Parts to Inspect

While some parts last well beyond two years, they should still be checked during annual service for signs of wear. These include parts such as luer fittings, nitrogen fittings, washers, and hoist nuts. A full list of common wear parts and replacement criteria can be found in the preventative maintenance documentation on the product page for each model.

→ Find your PM documentation

Gas Flow Verification

Once maintenance is complete and the unit is reassembled, it’s a good idea to confirm gas flow through the system. This check ensures there are no leaks, that all fittings are secure, and that the flowmeter responds correctly to pressure and valve settings.

What If You Discover a Problem?

If an issue is found during maintenance, such as a damaged part or gas leak, additional support and replacement components are available directly from Organomation. Our support team can assist in identifying the correct part or help schedule a service visit if needed.

Annual preventative maintenance can either be completed yourself or with assistance from a trained Organomation service partner.

Perform It In-House

Organomation’s PM kits are designed for lab personnel who prefer to handle maintenance internally. Each kit includes a full set of routine replacement parts, a hex key for basic adjustments, and instructions tailored to our model. You’ll need a calibrated thermometer and standard tools like a screwdriver and wrench. The full process generally takes 1-3 hours depending on your model and experience level.

→ Request a quote on a PM kit

Schedule a PM Visit

If you’d prefer to leave it to the experts, Organomation’s certified service partners offer on-site preventative maintenance. They’ll bring all the necessary tools and calibration equipment, along with standard and optional replacement parts to keep your evaporator running reliably.

→ Request a PM service quote

Protect Your Instrument

Even if your MULTIVAP appears to be running flawlessly, preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure that continues. Taking a proactive approach now can help you avoid bigger problems later and give you peace of mind that your evaporator won’t miss a beat.