2008 Aerogarden Classic 7: Deep Clean

Will do! 14 screws to undo for the grow deck, LOL! And I'm glad I did take it apart, even though it wasn't bad inside, but it was VERY difficult to get apart, no doubt thanks to buildup. The pump looked a bit grungy, so I'm not sorry I took it apart for a thorough clean.

I'm out of citric acid, and probably won't get to more cleaning today anyway, but I think I'll haul out a roasting pan and try a vinegar soak on it.

OK, pictures ... from the top, as I managed to accidentally delete the image previously referenced. Apologies in advance, the pictures aren't always the best. Lighting in my kitchen isn't great.

The grow bowl in its post-garden state of crustiness.


Step 1: Vinegar-soaked paper towel drape


Result, some improvement, but it's clear that this isn't gonna come off easy-peasy, if it comes off at all.



Step 2: Onto the grow deck, removal of pump cover, and pump
The pump cover is a bit of plastic with a slit, plus a couple tabs. I started prying at it with a small, slim, flat-head screwdriver, until I could get it up and press the two tabs in. Then off it came, revealing the pump. I started pulling that up, and even taking it apart, before realizing that would be best done with the pump entirely removed from the grow deck.


The pump is now free of the tube it was formerly connected to. That you just wiggle apart.

Then you remove the single screw that holds the electrical connection to the grow deck. And you have your pump disconnected.


Step 3: Vinegar soaking the small parts.
Once the pump was fully disassembled, I put it in some vinegar/water to soak. It was slightly grungy looking, though there did not seem to be any crusty buildup. You'll see I'm also soaking the water fill indicator, magnet, filter sponge (a cut-down green nylon scrubbie), and the grow baskets.


To be continued...

There should be a black rubber end cap on each end of the impeller.

I didn't take the shaft that sits in the center of the impeller out. It wasn't coming with a gentle pull and I couldn't remember if it came all the way out or not. I don't know if AG still sells replacement pumps for this old model or not, so I didn't want to break it.

And heaven forbid I should yank, and the shaft comes out and the little end cap goes flying off somewhere! I'd never find it! 

pfunnyjoy, I discovered the pump impeller end caps after I lost one in the dishwasher. Now they don't go into the dishwasher unless they're irretrievably stuck. And I save the parts if I have to discard a pump.

Step 5: Taking the grow deck apart.
There are 14 phillips screws to remove! I placed all the screws in a ZipLoc bag so I wouldn't lose any. I used a small, flat-headed screwdriver to pry the upper and lower halves apart, taking my time. They didn't want to come apart easily! Was a bit scared I was going to break the grow deck! Cleaner inside than I expected.


Upper portion:


Lower portion:



Step 6: A vinegar soak.
I'm using straight cleaning vinegar here, no dilution. Finally found a great use for my roasting pan!


Post soak: Top portion of grow deck, inner side. There's some improvement, but buildup is still present in places.


Post soak: Bottom portion of grow deck, inner side. A little improvement, but still plenty of buildup residue remaining.


Post soak: Bottom portion of grow deck from the other side.



Step 7: I gave them both a good scrub and put them back in for further soaking. Hey, I had the roasting pan full of vinegar, I figured it couldn't hurt to see if I could loosen up a little more residue. I got a little more off.


Step 8: Put the grow deck back together again.
No trouble with this, presumably the cleaning helped.


To be continued...

According to Aerogarden, the first model was launched in 2006. And it looks considerably different from my 2008 model! 

aerogarden.com/ideas-and-inspiration/our-story.html#:~:text=After%20three%20years%20in%20development,of%20time%2C%20being%20the%20O.G.

And apparently, up to 2008, there was just the Aerogarden 7 (in whatever iteration), often referred to as the Classic. But then they got going with other models all of a sudden, I'm not sure exactly when! They introduced various airstone models (Advanced Growing System), and switched the fluorescent light bulbs from round, to flat versions.

But I have no idea if there's a complete list of past and present AG models anywhere. That would be interesting to see! There's some models listed here, but it doesn't look like a complete list.
aerogardeners.fandom.com/wiki/Special:AllPages


I know in my era, they had 3-pod models, even some with fun painted finishes. They were entirely different looking than the newer Sprouts. I think these were all airstone models. They used ONE flat fluorescent bulb.

Here's a link to the Bee version:
camelcamelcamel.com/product/B009C3BM0I

And the Ladybug:
camelcamelcamel.com/Miracle-Gro-AeroGarden-Indoor-Gourmet-Ladybug/product/B009C3BP9Q

I had a silver one (before the Ladybug was introduced), and it also came in white and black. There may have been other colors/paint schemes.


The AG Veggie Pro was introduced in 2009 and I believe the 6 Elite+ was too:
www.indoorgardener.org/2009/09/veggiepro-arrives-bring-on-full-size.html

Classic 7's like what I have have shorter grow baskets, but with the introduction of the Veggie Pro and 6 Elite+, they switched to the longer baskets. NOT interchangeable! For a time, they offered 7-pod kits AND 6-pod kits in order to accommodate both garden styles. Deck spacing is a LOT more generous on these old models!

Veggie Pro and 6E+ models do not have the normal pump, but instead, the pump is inside of the base with the electronics, and was not, as far as I know, considered user replaceable. These two models have airstones inside the grow bowl. So very easy to clean, no roots can get to the pump! They are basically the same Aerogarden, except the Elite has some stainless trim, and some painted stainless accents, where the Veggie Pro is basic black. One might've come with a trellis system and the other not, can't remember now.

I've still got some of my manuals, at some point, I'll have to dredge around, see if I can come up with any more ancient AG tidbits.

I love the history lesson, pfunnyjoy!

I have the Aerogarden Pro 200, the Veggie Pro and the 6 Elite+. My biggest challenge has been finding bulbs. I tried the LED bulb setup you referenced, however the bulbs in the 3 bulb systems are different and it wouldn’t work with mine. The last bulbs I purchased were from an EBay seller but when they arrived 2 of the 3 had a small crack in them and they wouldn’t work. If you come across an LED setup for the 3 bulb models let us know. The adapter you use for yours does not fit in my garden. I do like that there is much more room between the pods on the grow deck!