Find some answers to the most frequently asked questions about your Perfect Prep Machine.
Am I using the right filter?
We are aware that some people are buying standard water jug filters, rather than Tommee Tippee filters, for use in their Perfect Prep machines. Most standard water filters do not include an anti-bacterial filtration membrane so will NOT remove bacteria. It is therefore extremely important to ensure that you are buying and using the correct Tommee Tippee anti-bacterial filter.
Watch the video below for more information on why the Perfect Prep Filter is the best for use in the Perfect Prep Machine.
The Perfect Prep Filter
Why do I need to submerge the filter before use?
Submerging the filter before use ensures that any air bubbles or loose particles within the filter are removed prior to use. If bubbles remain, it could affect the operation of the machine. Submerging should only take a minute or so.
Once you place the filter into the machine, use the first bottle cycle without adding formula as a final flush to complete this process. Once complete, you’re ready to go. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact us to chat more.
What does the hot shot do?
The hot shot is a key feature of the Perfect Prep as it not only helps to dissolve the formula powder quickly and easily, it also kills bacteria which may be present in the formula itself. The water dispensed in the hot shot is at a temperature of over 70C.
Where is the best place to keep my Perfect Prep?
The Perfect Prep should be kept in a cool dry location, avoiding direct sunlight and keeping away from warm appliances. This is recommended to avoid the tank temperature getting too warm. Don’t worry if your temperature light does illuminate as we have some tips for you in the answer below.
Why can’t I make a smaller feed than a 4 ounce bottle?
We’d love to accommodate and make a smaller feed, however in order to both dispense a hot shot at a high enough temperature to kill bacteria that may be present in the formula and then add enough cool filtered water to create the perfect temperature feed, 4oz is the smallest feed the Perfect Prep can make.
Although we do not manufacture formula powder, we have looked at what the leading brands recommend and most assume that a 9lb+ baby will be on 4oz feeds. However, it’s difficult to recommend a "suitable from" age for the Perfect Prep Machine because every baby is different. Some are onto 4oz feeds within a couple of weeks whereas others may take longer.
My temperature warning light keeps coming on and I don’t know why. What can I do to turn this off?
The only time we would expect this warning light to come on is during the cleaning mode, when you flush the unit with boiled water. Thereafter, you should only ever fill your unit with cold water from the tap.
The Perfect Prep Machine unit contains a probe that measures the temperature of the water in the tank which prevents the unit from dispensing if the water is above 25 C. This is a key safety feature to ensure that the final feed is not too hot for your baby. High water temperature should only ever be an issue in hotter climates, but it is not uncommon for mains water to rise in temperature in cooler climates during a sustained period of hot weather. We therefore recommend that the cold tap is flushed for 10 seconds before filling the tank.
Other preventative actions include:
keeping the unit out of direct sunlight
regularly topping up with cold tap water rather than letting a full unit stand and warm for long periods of time
keeping a cold jug of water in the fridge
How long can I leave unused water in the tank?
Water is a food stuff so we recommend using within 1-2 days. If water has been left in the hopper for longer, then please empty and refill before next use.
How often do I need to change the filter?
On average the filter should last around 3 months, however this depends on the frequency of use and what size bottles you’re preparing. The Perfect Prep Machine does have a warning light that will tell you when the filter is due to be changed. The first light (when solid) is purely an indicator. When the light flashes, the filter physically requires changing.
Why is the amount of feed over or under the level of feed I was expecting?
As is normal with all manufactured products, the Perfect Prep Machine dispensed water volume has an allowed tolerance of +/- 5%. Additionally, there are potential tolerances in the measurement graduations of our Closer to Nature bottles.
This means that any volume below 100 ml may vary by +/- 5 ml, and any volume above 100 ml may vary by +/- 5%
It is therefore possible for the combination of both tolerances, machine and bottle, to make the volume dispensed by the machine appear inaccurate.
Our Closer to Nature bottles meet or surpass the requirements for volume tolerances as specified by European Standard EN 143
Sometimes when I change the water filter there are black particles on the cartridge. What are they?
You may find that there’s a small residue of black carbon in the bag or on the surface of the cartridge; this can happen and it’s nothing to be concerned about. These dust particles are harmless and will be reduced during the initial set up process when submerging in clean fresh water. The carbon used in the filter is food grade certified and therefore poses no harm to your little one.
Cleaning & Maintenance
As with any other method of making up a feed, it is essential that good hygiene practices are observed in the use and maintenance of your Perfect Prep machine. It is very important that your everyday routine includes simple hygiene steps such as keeping formula away from the hopper and only ever holding the top of the filter. Ensure your hands and all surfaces that come in to contact with the machine and its components are clean, and that the unit is away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
REGULAR CLEANING ADVICE:
For hygiene and safety reasons you should clean your unit on a regular basis. We recommend you carry out this cleaning cycle every 4 weeks, whenever you replace your Tommee Tippee water filter or if the machine has been unused for a period of 7 days.
Remove the lid, hopper and bottle stand and set the filter to one side (top side down). Clean the external machine surface with a clean cloth (it is advisable to use an antibacterial solution), taking care to clean in all grooves and under the dispenser spout. At this time the lid, hopper and bottle stand should also be cleaned using hot soapy water, rinsed thoroughly, and allowed to dry naturally (do not use cloths or tea towels to dry).
Plug in the unit, the empty tank warning light will illuminate.
THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM FOR YOUR INITIAL CLEANING CYCLE:
Using a cold water sterilising solution (following manufacturer guidelines for using with 1.8 litres of water), add required amount to the water tank. Fill the tank to the max line with cold water and place a suitable container under the dispenser spout.
Pour 1 litre of clear/ white (food grade) vinegar into the water tank. Top up the water tank to the max line with freshly boiled water and place a suitable container under the dispenser spout.
HOW TO CLEAN
Press the cleaning button on the side of the machine for 2 seconds to start a cleaning cycle. The cleaning light will illuminate.
Discard of the contents from the container used.
Boil a fresh kettle of water. Refit the cleaned hopper and fill the water tank with the boiled water. Replace the empty container under the spout.
Press the cleaning button on the side of the machine for 2 seconds to start a cleaning cycle. The cleaning light will illuminate. Allow the cycle to fully complete, using the pause functionality if required.
The tank empty warning light will illuminate once the water has flushed through the system.
Discard of the contents from the container, placing the container back under the spout.
Refit your Tommee Tippee filter to the hopper, being careful to only handle the top section of the filter.
Add fresh cold water to the hopper, placing the lid on once full. Wait for the water to filter through and for the tank empty warning light to go out.
To prime your machine for its next use, set the dial to 4oz and press the start /stop button, to dispense a volume of cold water. Once complete, press the start/ stop button again to dispense the remaining water to finish the cycle.
Discard the contents of this first bottle after cleaning.
Replace the cleaned bottle stand, then your machine is ready to use.
NOTE: If you are also changing your Tommee Tippee water filter, press the filter reset button for 2 seconds to clear the machine memory before using for a feed.
My machine is giving me two cold shots after cleaning? This is perfectly normal! After every cleaning cycle the Perfect Prep will produce a cold hot shot, followed by a second cold shot this will need to be discarded as per the set up and cleaning instructions. Your Perfect prep will then work as normal producing a hot shot initially followed by cooled filter water to make up the perfect temperature for your babies feed
