I'd turn it off and NOT use it. The same thing happened to mine because the little inside hose or nozzle end had white deposits (lime or calcium or both) I soaked the affected parts in vinegar and then tried coffee pot cleaner, but the fix only lasted one more steam. I had used tap water as directed, but distilled water with no minerals is best.
Anyway, the last time I used my yellow steam buggy - the nozzle stopped spraying and there was steam and water in the reservoir - The steam buggy overheated since my screw top and seal were perfect, & steam could not escaper there, so the unit buckled and sort of melted on the top and then the part connection blew open and steam burned my arm and wrist.
... be careful !!!!!
If you look inside the buggy's water reservoir with a flashlight and can see a white film then you have mineral deposits. You could Try lime-away, or any good mineral remover or an iron (internal) cleaner. I filled the reservoir and let it soak for recommended time, then plugged in unit for 1 - 2 minutes and no longer, unplug and let cool and repeat until steam will come out of the end where it's supposed to.... I did this in my bathroom so it could do it's cool down dripping in the tub. This took a long time and the fix was short lived
Anyway, if it's any help - here is a phone number I copied from page www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02529.html
(The page tells about the Tristar recall of 3100 Steam Buggy™
( blue ) Deluxe Steamers that were sold from Dec 2001 through Jan 2002 on the Home Shopping Network
visit the website for info if you have the blue deluxe model
at the time that recall website was put up there were 305 incidents - 214 where people got burns.
The Tristar customer service number associated with the recall is (973) 287-5100 & they man the phones from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Mon-Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday for info on how to get a replacement or refund. additional information at www.hsn.com.
I have another number for tristar customer service if it is still good - it is 800-649-2297 and they are open 8:30am-8PM EST
if I'm not able to get a refund or replacement from tristar, I will be putting all the attachments (used 4 or 5 times & some parts NEVER used) up for auction at ebay and I am sure other's have had the same or a similar problem. Most of the time the hose bursts or the canister melts and the balance of the attachments are in good working order. There are probably several auctions for steamer parts in any given month at eBay
Good luck -
Carlyrv
October 2007
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