CannaPlates How To: "Do Plate Care And Plate Maintenance" - CannaPlates

CannaPlates How To: "Do Plate Care And Plate Maintenance"

Updated May 6, 2022

 

Cannaplates Maintenance:

  • Avoid putting any hard surfaced object between the plates. The pressing faces of the plates have been machined flat to give you the best possible surface.
  • When you first get your plates, wash them in warm soap and water with hands. Set the plates holes down on some paper towel to drain and dry them with a soft cotton towel.
  • Periodically, once the plates have cooled, it is advised to clean the plates pressing surfaces, because of the pressure used, sometimes the rosin is actually pushed through the parchment paper. You can avoid most of this 'push through' by using a double layer of parchment or a good quality parchment like NORPRO.
  • DO NOT touch the plates or any part of the metal press that comes in contact with the rosin plates. HOT!
  • DO NOT EVER turn on the controller without the cartridge heaters installed in the plates and the set screws tightened properly. The heaters will turn cherry red in about 15 seconds. You have been warned!
  • It is strongly advised to use some kind of heat resistant non slip pad under the bottom plate. Be smart about this, high pressure shop presses should be respected at all times.


How to set up your OG CannaPlates:

  • When you get your plates they will be wrapped for their protection. Unwrap carefully. The sides of the plates you want to protect are the pressing surfaces. These very flat machined surfaces are your boon. Treat them with respect.
  • The top plate should have the name 'CannaPlates' facing you.
  • The top plate will have the ram hole on top. 
  • Be sure the bottom plate is the right side up, it should have instructions taped on the bottom of the plate. REMOVE all tape and paper from the bottom plate! The set screws for the cartridge heaters on BOTH plates should be on the side of the plate you can not see when looking at the CannaPlates name. The way to tell if your bottom plate is oriented correctly is to make sure the heater is coming out of the left side of the bottom plate and the surface facing you must NOT have a set screw hole.
  • When tightening the K type thermocouple, DO NOT over tighten..it only has to be SNUG..just a bit than a finger can tighten it.
  • The thermocouple should be coming out the left side of the plates.
  • BOTH cartridge heaters should be coming out the left side of both plates.
  • Once you have done this, if you wish, you may turn the entire unit end for end, to suit your needs. Just be sure to leave the plates oriented correctly. We would of course, prefer you leave our company name facing you, but plate position, after proper plate orientation, is entirely up to you.
  • If at ALL in doubt, you may call me at 403-866-8556 - 7 days a week 10 am to about 8 pm MST in the evening.
  • When tightening the set screws for the cartridge heaters, be "firm, but fair" in how hard you tighten them. The heaters are stainless steel and the set screws can be firmly tightened without hurting the heaters.
  • Be sure, when lowering the ram, to not hit any of the set screws or the edge of the top plate hole. Pay attention! Keep the ram centered to the hole ALL the time. Make this a habit. Do. It. Everytime.
  • Once the ram is lowered, apply 1/2-1 ton of pressure before you tighten the set screws. This will ensure a flat and tight fit, the top plate will not wobble.
  • ONLY FINGER tighten the back set screw 1st. This gives something for the ram to rest against when you tighten the front set screw. You may now tighten the front set screw using the hex key provided. Do not tighten the front set screw without the back set screw resting against the ram. Dont do it!
  • Raise the ram and the top plate will rise with the ram.
  • Rosin pressing time!
  • It is a good idea to invest in a good pair of oven gloves or mitts. They do come in handy at times.
  • Do not forget to turn off your control unit when you are done. Release the ram from the top plate and just rest it on the bottom plate in between uses. Leave the ram inside the hole of the top plate but do not leave it under pressure.
  • YOU MAY LEAVE THE UNIT ON ALL DAY FOR COMMERCIAL PRESSING. ** If you are going to be 5 minutes between presses, just be sure to detach the ram from the plates in between presses** and LEAVE THE TOP PLATE RESTING ON THE BOTTOM PLATE. 
  • This will ensure that your plates will be at the right temperature when you need them.This will greatly improve the lifespan of your press. 
  • Follow all high pressure ram guidelines.
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