The gray plastic covering over the heating element (in the base of the steamer) is starting to flake off. Is the steamer still safe to use? I have looked for a new steamer, but this one is much sturdier than the new ones. It works great, I am just worried about the flaking rubber.

Question edited for typos.

Probably the element. Test it for continuity with a test meter.

https://www.google.com/search?q=steamaster+hpj2+no+heating

$108 is the cheapest, $150 the most expensive.

Manual
https://www.kassoy.com/images/Steamer%20CLHPJ2S%20Manual.pdf

Heating element only HPJ2-S - The Jewelers Toy Store

https://www.jewelerstoystore.com > ... > Steamaster
Heating Element. Specially designed by Steamaster for their Steam Cleaners. The most widely accepted and used steam cleaner steamer in the jewelry industry.

Steamaster Heating Element HPJ-2S Replacement - JETS INC.

https://jetsinc.com > machines > steamer > steamaster-he...
Steamaster Heating Element HPJ-2S Replacement. ... (No reviews yet) Write a Review ... HPJ-2S Heating Element for HPJ2 / HPJ-2S Steamaster / Steamist ...
US$147.95 · ‎In stock

HPJ Parts for Steamaster HPJ Jewelry Cleaning Machines

https://www.steam4you.com > hpj_parts_steamaster
HPJ-2S Heating Element for HPJ / HPJ-2 Steamaster/Steamist ... Steamaster HPJ-2S Rubber Washer for Glass Tube, *** Not sold Separately. No Price. ..

there might be a build-up of something covering the nozzle

if it is not heating up and no heat is coming from the outlets you have a heat problem in the element heater so send it to repair agents to get fixed .

go to please to http://www.pennysaverusa.com/classifieds/usa/query-homedic/#search-url:/search/advanc

God bless you

There 4 bolts that hold the seat track to floor board. remove seat turn over and you can see the bolts that hold the track on remove them. now follow the material down to seat base this is a plastic roll over clip they should pull straight out remove cover to access heat element reassemble.

you can not remove the plastic safely please replace the heating element

hi.

i am assuming it is the GS7RW garment steamer and not actually a vacuum cleaner.

any electrical item with a heating element should be used with distilled or de-ionised water.
if you live in a "hard water" area where the water contains dissolved calcuim salts, these will cause scaling and furring up of the heater element. easiest way to tell is to look inside your kettle. if there are white deposits on the base or heating element, your steamer will get the same deposits and work less effectively.

another option is to use the scented ironing waters available from many supermarkets for use in steam irons. these will not harm your steamer, and will also make your clothes smell nice as they come in a range of scents.

this link does have some instructions that may help.
http://www.conair.com/instruction_booklets/06PC2349%20gs7rw%20IB.pdf

Sorry to hear that! The burnt plastic smell indicates that the element over heated to a point that the heat radiation melted the substance. The internal heating element has shorted out and took with it vital accessories necessary for normal function of the steamer. Too many parts have become inoperative and the cost of repair is excessive. The only solution is to replace the streamer. Do not plug the defective unit into a live power outlet for safety reasons.

Your water probes are probably grounded to the metal insulation. Stick a piece of paper/plastic between the probe and insulation. or buy the boots that cover the tips of the probes. What is happening is the probes use water as a ground and tells the element contact it is full of water when actually its not. So it is over heating.

sure can. doesn't sound right that its" flaking apart". but its secured from under your machine with 2 nuts probly a $30 heater. be sure to turn off power first!!!!