I think the best video you guys could do is a full instrutional video on how to descale a boiler on an HX machine (not the HX). You guys alluded to it, but an actually concrete example on a specific machine would really fill in some of the many holes of online instructions! love your videos.
We do have a straight up descale where Gail talks about how the process differs; I will check our in store machines to see if we have an Hx that is ready for a descale and see if we can film the process for you :) - Kat
The EC860 does not have a brew pressure relief valve, so no need to backflush, but you will still want to keep the brew head and screen clean and clear. ~ sam
Backflushing is a process to clean out the brewhead via the 3-way solenoid valve, and descaling should be done predominantly through the steam arm, to remove mineral buildup from water. -Kaylie
@joeldamianicigan The majority of the machines come with single and double baskets. For you to effectively use pods on any of the higher end machines, they will have to have an adaptation, you can't just use different baskets. The Vivaldi has this, the Nuova Simonelli have it, but, in general, the higher end machines don't offer this as an option. - Kat
Well, we're not experts here and pretty lo-fi ourselves in this regard, but I'll run it by Gail and maybe we can do a little research/experimentation vid. - Kat
Well, it doesn't really matter, truly ... it's going to be steam and very little solution if at all; since your steam wand isn't a sitting water part of the apparatus, scale build-up is not really a risk. It won't hurt the machine to do it, though :) - Kat
@TorinoBeats The Up does need to be backflushed as it has the three-way solenoid valve -- so yes on both backflushing and descaling. You'll need to pick up either a blind basket or a rubber insert to close off the filter basket. As far as grinders are concerned, I really dig the Vario, if that's in the price range it's a great option. Let me know if you have any other questions - Kat
@joeldamianicigan We don't carry that pod basket, unlikely we will. The VST baskets are quite expensive so unlikely that they will ever be a free item -- sorry! - Kat
@TorinoBeats No need to backflush on the Dream -- the new Dream UP does have the 3-way valve, but not the original Dreams. We did a descale video on the Rancilio Silvia and you'd follow a similar process for the Dream, so check that out and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! - Kat
We def say backflush, and I think Rancilio says no because people have done it incorrectly and broken their machine. Initiate the shot for a very short amount of time, otherwise you run the risk of building up too much pressure and damaging things. Let me know if you have other questions - thanks! - Kat
@joeldamianicigan We do, but not sure about the pod basket and how well it will work with other machines. Guess you'll need to get it and test it :) - Kat
So I have a Bezzera BZ10 and the manual specifically says NOT to descale the machine as this can cause damage. I regularly backflush and monthly disassemble and clean the group head. Should I descale or follow the manufacturers recommendation?
Thanks for all the great vids! Could you guys comment on the great debate on backflushing Miss Silvia? Rancilio says NO, but many say YES...which do you consider to be correct?
Hey guys! Great jobs on these videos.. Very helpful! I'm an owner of a Capresso EC50. I was wondering if both descaling & back flush is necessary for this type of machine? Note I only run purified water through it & have only owned it for about 6months.
Excellent. I wonder if you could hit on water, briefly -softening, filtering, DTS metering for optimal mineral content, using ph kits, etc. Have you guys been hipped to the "ZeroWater" pitcher with the included DTS meter?
I am getting into doing coffee right now, and I am nearly sold on the N/S Oscar. Since the Oscar doesn't have a hot water arm to run the solution out of, does that complicate the procedure, or can you use the steam wand? Also I have seen one video of a man descaling at home, but he runs the water out of the steam wand, while the machine is on its side, and he just let it run, no stopping to let the boiler recoup. Same guy said you should run the descaling solution through the group head. Thoughts regarding that? Last noob question, I'm planning on plumbing the machine, not using the res, how does that change the process? Thanks for any and all wisdom you can dispense!
We do not recommend descaling the Nuova Simonelli brand machines at all - this is per manufacturer recommendations. If you need descaling, N/S recommends having it professionally tune-ed up, as this is a very different descaling process that what some people post on youtube. N/S instead recommends that you use a filtration system, and make sure that you are softening your water to their recommended levels. This is especially important when the machine is plumbed in, as you cannot filter it through a Brita filter, for example, it is just coming straight from your house water supply. Typically, N/S recommends using the Everpure system, for all of their machines, but it is also important to test the water hardness of the water after it leaves the filter, as there is different water hardness all over the country, so there isn’t anything that can be recommended universally. - Miranda
Firstly...love all your videos...I've watched many of them. When running the descaling liquid through the Giotto, should it be run through the steaming wand as well, or is that not recommended? Cheers
Hello, Nice video's with very helpful tips. When I backflushed my previous Delonghi machine with puly caff, the puly caff "ate" away the chrome plating of the portafilter. I had to buy a new portafilter and I backflushed it with dishwasher detergent since then. I now happily own a Gaggia Classic. Can I safely use puly caff with my Gaggia or is it really that aggressive?
Hi....you used to have a great "how to" video about descaling a Heat Exchanger, where you tilted the machine on its side.. ...is that video still available? Do you still recommend tilting it? I've read other posts about overfilling the boiler so am a bit confused as to the best way. Cheers
I would defiantly think that if you only use distilled water in your reservoir there should be far less scale build up if at all because it is supposed to be mineral free.
i live in new mexico and our water is almost undrinkable so i use RO water exclusively. i've had a rancilio silvia about 8 months now and haven't descaled it. how often do you recommend descaling with RO water?
@tnmtemerity Distilled water will cause mineral leeching of the boiler and weaken welding points -not to mention it would produce flat, soporific espresso.
I have a Beville BES860XL Espresso Machine And I was wondering if this type of model was safe to do the back flushing method or should I just stick with using the cleaning tablets and Descaling it I've owned this machine for about 2 months now and cleaned it twice when the clean me light comes on What should I do?
Question, If I am going to do all 3 on my Silvia the same day, which order show I do them in, group head clean, back flush then descale? Does it matter.
How often should I descale or if at all my Quickmill Vetrano 2B ? I do backflish regularly and every month or so I use the cleaning solution with the backflush - my vacuum breaker and pressure relief valve needed replacing on my steam boiler recently - could this be due to the fact I haven't descaled my machine? Thanks for your help
Hi are you familiar with the la Spaziale mini vivaldi 2 please if so could you recommend a descale powder and would you recommend back flushing. Great videos thank you 👍
What about the Ascaso Dream? does is have a 3 way valve? and does it need backflushing? and how do you properly descale it the Ascaso dream? please help thanks : )
Hello Mariano De Belva, We recommend using a descaling powder or solution, such as Dezcal (www.seattlecoffeegear.com/dezcal-coffee-espresso-machine-descaler), to descale your espresso machine. Vinegar is very difficult to rinse out and we've heard from people that have used vinegar that their espresso has a vinegar after taste for quite some time. ~ Sarah
After descaling my Breville Barista express, something got stuck inside the solenoid valve. It's making terrible noises now. I suspect it is a piece of scale or something :( Descaling it again and also backflushing it didn't help.
David van der Zande When you backflush do you yield liquid in your drip try? If it is draining, then continue to backflush until the sound clears. If you are not getting any liquid out, it will probably need some repair.
We have the same machine, same problem. The research I did is cane up with ruined solenoid valve and needs to be replaced. Avoid vinegar always.. higher acid will ruin the rubber and plastic internal units. Good luck!
That would be really cool. I'd like to stop in one day, should we make our way up to the NorthWest. Keep an eye out for a one-armed barista with an eyepatch. ;D
Hi, i have the Ascaso Dream Up version, so i have to descale and backflush it right? but it doesn't come with the blind for the porta filter so do i need to backflush? o yea i am also looking for a cheap but good grinder : ) any recommendations on which one is good? is the Ascaso Imini grinder good?
I had bookmark your video on how to descale the R58 dual broiler. However it seems the video is now unavailable. Is there a new way or better way of descaling? any reason why it was taken down? Any suggestions on how to descale a dual broiler like the r58? Thanks
Seattle Coffee Gear Thanks for the quick reply! :) I actually have a second question related to this one. I was asking about descaling because my 6months old machine is making noises, a hissing sound, every 3-5 sec. It sounds like a little bit of steam or water might be releasing or spilling inside or something. I was told descaling could fix this, but since i have been using brita at first (switched because black beads were getting inside the tank) and pur water now, i have been using soft water so descaling probably wont help me. Any suggestions on fixing this?
Remi Lemieux It sounds as though you could have a small leak or a worn o-ring in the machine, but without seeing the unit it’s difficult to diagnosis. You could take the top of the unit off and investigate a bit further to see if you can find the source of the leak. If you purchased the machine from us it is still under our warranty, but if it was purchased elsewhere you may want to contact the company you purchased from for assistance. - Teri
WE HAVE UPDATED THIS VIDEO! CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LATEST ON BACKFLUSHING VS DESCALING: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-y8kFLV40cuw.html
just clean the brew head and portafilter. You can take off the brew head screen and clean behind the screen, and you should use a brush to clean the gasket. You should also clean the filter basket and portafilter pieces separately. - Miranda
