How to Maintain a 100-Hole Capsule Filling Tray So It Lasts for Years
Clean After Every Session, But Not With Harsh Chemicals
Empty leftover powder from the tray as soon as you finish filling capsules. Tap the tray gently over a waste bin, then brush residue out of the 100 holes with a soft dry brush or a clean dry cloth. If the powder is sticky or oily, wash the plates in lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, using a soft sponge or cloth. Do not use hot water, boiling water, alcohol, acetone, bleach, or scouring pads on an ABS tray, because heat and solvents can dull, craze, or deform the plastic. Rinse thoroughly and shake off excess water. Avoid soaking the tray for long periods, since prolonged soaking does not improve cleaning and can soften or distort thin sections. If you use the tray for different powders, clean between powders to prevent cross contamination of flavors and ingredients. The tool in this step is the Manual Capsule Filling Tray with 100 Holes for Sizes 000 to 5.
Dry Completely Before Storage
Water left in the 100 holes or between the plates is a common cause of clumped powder, stuck capsules, and surface marks on the next fill. After washing, shake the tray and stand the plates on edge in a well ventilated area, or dry each hole with a clean cloth. Let the tray air dry fully before stacking or storing it. Do not dry ABS parts in an oven, on a radiator, in direct sun for long periods, or with a hair dryer on a hot setting; those heat sources can warp the plates and change how the top and bottom halves fit together. A fully dry tray also stores more compactly without trapping moisture. This builds on our earlier guide, How to Estimate Your Daily Capsule Output Before Buying a 100-Hole Capsule….
Handle the Plates and Alignment Pins Gently
Most manual 100-hole trays rely on the top and bottom plates lining up so the capsules seat correctly. Set the plates down flat instead of dropping them, and separate them by lifting straight up rather than prying at one corner. Do not force a plate if it binds; check for a stray capsule or powder clump first. Keep the alignment pins or guide holes clean and free of dried powder. If a pin feels tight, clean it rather than lubricating it with oil, because oil attracts powder and can stain capsules. Store the plates flat or in the manufacturer's intended orientation so the plates do not rest on the pins for long periods. Gentle handling preserves the fit that keeps your fills consistent. There is more on capsule filling tool maintenance in the same guide.
Store Away From Heat, Sun, and Heavy Loads
Store the tray in a dry cabinet or drawer at room temperature, away from stoves, windows with strong sun, and space heaters. Do not stack heavy items on the plates, because sustained pressure can bow thin ABS sections. Keep the tray in a breathable container or a clean cloth bag rather than a sealed bag with residual moisture. If you store capsules in the same area, keep powders and liquids separate from the tray to avoid spills and odors. For a 100-hole tray used weekly, a quick inspection before each session, checking for cracks, warping, or loose pins, takes under a minute and catches problems before they affect a fill.
Know the Limits and When to Replace
ABS is a practical material for home capsule filling, but it is not indestructible. Hairline cracks, a plate that no longer sits flat, holes that have become oval, or capsules that no longer seat evenly are signs the tray has reached the end of its useful life. Cleaning cannot repair warping or worn alignment. Replace the tray rather than forcing it, because a poor fit leads to spilled powder and uneven capsules. Realistic expectations: with gentle cleaning, full drying, and careful storage, a well made ABS tray can serve for years of occasional home use, but heavy daily use, hot water cleaning, or solvent exposure will shorten that life. The Manual Capsule Filling Tray with 100 Holes for Sizes 000 to 5 is an ABS product from LICUIWEI; check your own tray's condition rather than assuming a fixed replacement schedule.
