Just opened new Kaz humidifier and inserted filter, water and turned it on.  After a few minutes, the vapor turned orange.  turned machine off pulled it all apart and its coming from the filter.  is this normal?   what is it?

This is a POSSIBLE answer: I found the manual at the Vicks site, read through it, but it did not mention replacement parts at all. However, at the very end of the manual was this paragraph, which might serve as a way for you to get what you need. Quoting the manual:

If you have any questions or comments, call the Kaz Consumer Service Department at 1-800-VAPOR-1-2 or, e-mail [email protected] or, write to Kaz, Consumer Service
Department, P.O. Box 544, Hudson, NY 12534, explaining just how the product is operating. Specify model number. Our Consumer Service Representative will advise you how to correct the problem yourself, or will ask you to return the product for repair or replacement.

The Main reason why it comes on is the water is empty. Beyond that.. try cleaning your machine. Also, I have two of these thing and I have yet to get it to work more than five minutes on high. Low.. it works all day long.

This is considered normal. It's the residue left from the water vaporizing into steam. Since it's left behind in the chamber, you do not breathe it in. Other users have said that it helps keeping these minerals in the chamber and just adding water to mineralize the water in lieu of adding salt.

How many watts does Kaz Steam Vaporizer Safeguard Model 76 use???? I think it's using a lot of electricity. Anyone with clarity please?

Chances are the rubber pump inside the unit cracked and will not work anymore. This type of unit is a "Disposable" unit and is not intended for repairs. Its cheaper to buy a new one then buy parts for this.
Hope it helps.

http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/content/pdfs/123738.pdf

Fill Water Tank.

Turn off humidifier and unplug the power cord from A/C outlet. Remove tank from

base. Turn upside down and unscrew filling cap. Fill tank with clean, cool, distilled,

filtered, or tap water. Do not attempt to fill unit through Vapor Nozzle. Water temperature

should NEVER be too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures can damage the

unit. Tighten filling cap firmly. Return tank to base and let it sit for a few minutes. For

first time use or when replacing the demineralization cartridge filter, please soak the

filter in warm water for several minutes.

Suspect that you may need to run white vingar through it and clear the atomizer. You should see mist all the time even when the humidity level is reached.

Try this: It lets me download a PDF of the Instructions.

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:pbhjzMo9E3sJ:www.kaz.com/kaz/support/manual/%3FProductManualAction%3DrenderProductManualById%26ProductManualId%3D5faaee9ab20669a0a26a9fb6e6bb99f8+Vicks+Vaporizer+instructions&cd=44&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I had the same problem. This will cause the orange reset light to turn on as well. You need to remove the reservoir and the cooling chanber. Under the reservoir there is a locking mechanism that you push to the side. You then pull off the cooling tower. Then you push the locking mechanism in the other direction and remove the steam mechanism. I found a month of build up of "gook" inside. Dump it out and use a scrouring pad to remove it. After this was done, I could smell the vapor from the medicine cup again and it ran all night on the high setting again.

SPECIAL NOTES
Discoloration/Black Particles
After use, the water residue in the bottom of the container may contain black particles, and, in
some areas the water and the bottom of container may discolor. These conditions are normal and
do not effect the purity of the steam or medicine. The container is easily cleaned with soap and
water. Rinse and dry the container after cleaning.

This was taken from the manual that comes with the humidifier...