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1- Know your
espresso machine
2- Espresso Maintenance
3- DOs &
DONTs
4- Descaling
espresso machine
5- Cleaning
of Saeco Coffee grinder
6-
Cleaning of Saeco Brew Group (fully automatic
espresso)
7-
Cleaning of Saeco Manually Pressurized portafilter
Espresso Maintenance
Home Espresso
machines fall into any of the following four categories.
1- The Lever operated
espresso makers: In these models the pressure to
press water through ground coffee is obtained by the
lever. It is important that operator knows the right pressure
and extraction time to push the hot water through the tamped coffee.
It is a learning process It requires knowledge on how to
make good Espresso. There is very little maintenance
required - cleaning after use, descaling one evry 9 to 12
months and replacement of maintenance gaskets kit every one or
two years. The few electrical parts (Switch, thermostat or the
heating element) last for several years and are easy to
replace.
2- Pump operated manual
espresso machines: In the traditional pump
operated types, the pump generates the required pressure for water
and the correct pressure is built in a valve at the bottom of the
boiler. In Saeco and Spidem models the filter holders have
pre-infusion valve mechanism which helps extraction of espresso with
beautiful golden crema. All other machines have regular
portafilters that require knowledge about the factors that
are essential for making expresso with good crema. Besides the right
temperature and pressure of water these factors include
fineness of grind, tamping pressure and extraction time.
Maintenance of the manual pump operated machines, includes
descaling every two months, cleaning the filter holder
handle, cleaning brew head filter screen and steam pipe or
frother..
3- For the
fully automatic espresso makers the grinding, tamping,
pre-infusion and extraction is automatic as programmed. Push the
selection button and the machine completes the programmed functions.
However, the operator must familiarize him/herself with the
automatic function controls and learn how to trouble shoot the
malfunctions. More discipline is required to clean and maintain
the automatic machines.
Maintenance
of Fully automatic machines, especially Saeco &
Spidem fully automatic home models ( Vienna line, Trevi
line, Magic & Divina line and Royal line, Gaggia
Synchrony), the following guidance is helpful.
The information included in the following is based on our
experience in fixing these machines and does not eliminate the need
for what is printed in the operating manual that comes with
each espresso machine.
1- Daily maintenance -
Clean the machine after making
espresso/cappuccino.
a- Flush the frother with steam to
remove milk left in the passages inside the frother.
b- Empty the portafilter
handle by scooping the coffee instead of knocking the handle on
hard surfaces.
c- Flush the
portafilter handle or the automatic brew group, as the
case may be with hot water by making an espresso without
coffee . Develop the habit to make a first and a last
espresso without coffee(All manual pump operated machines and the fully automatic
espresso makers that have 'decafe' function. The first decaf
espresso will heat up the passage of espresso water and the
last espresso will flush the passage with coffee grounds and oil
lining the passage of coffee & water .
d- Empty and rinse the dredge
box and drip tray.
2- Weekly maintenance
- Take 15-30 minutes every Sunday after the
morning coffee for a more detailed cleaning of the espresso maker.
* Clean the bean hopper with coffee cleaning
liquid to remove that oil coating the inside of the hopper.
Rancid oil adds bad taste.
* Clean the water tank. Replace fresh water. If
you notice Calcium deposits coating the wall, remove them by filling
the container with descaling solution for 5 to 10 minutes and
rinse. To refill water in the reservoir, it is a good habit to take
it out dump the left over water, rinse and refill.
* Fully automatic machines have a dredge (dump) box.
Clean it every day. Fungus loves coffee grounds and grows faster
than weeds.Visible or invisible fungus will grow if dredge box is
not cleaned for two days or more. Why take a
chance?
* Use a coffee cleaning liquid to flush the
portafilter handle or the brew group. This will remove the
oils and fine coffee particles that tend to settle down &
block the filter and valves.
* Clean the brew
head with cleaning brush to remove coffee grounds that will
stick to walls and slip inside the brew group. The oils in coffee
and fine particles of coffee accumulate and clog the passage of
water besides adding rancid taste. In the fully
automatic espresso machines with a decaf option, it
is a good idea to run a decaf cycle without coffee before making the
first espresso and after the last espresso. This
is the best method to flush clean the brew
group with coffee cleaning liquid. Use two teaspoonfuls in the
coffee filter cup). If the automatic coffee maker does not
have decaf function, then use the cleaning liquid and make an
espresso with coffee. Flush the cleaning
liquid by operating atleast two more espresso cycles with or without
coffee as the case may be.
Cleaning the
grinder- It is a great boost for the machine if the
grinder is cleaned every week. It helps to prevent caking of fine
coffee and oils. Formation of coffee cakes will reduce the
coffee doze and also contribute bad taste. Click
here for illustrated instructions to clean the
Saeco grinder.
Descaling: This
is the most significant part of maintenance and must be carried out
every two months. Water has Calcium, Magnesium and other mineral
salts in it. The salts separate and get deposited when water is
heated or when water dries out. If allowed to accumulate, the
deposits block the passage of water for espresso. Pump has to work
harder and fail in that effort or the seals and O-rings will
give in, allowing water to leak. If the deposits settle in the
valves or other narrow passages, then there will be no water flowing
to make espresso. Prevent this from happening by descaling the
machine with appropriate chemicals. Activated Citric acid is the
most efficient. Use anything but please ..... No descaling with lemon juice or Vinegar
please. No matter who has recommended it, just stop
using these two items for descaling.
Good luck. Maintenance is not difficult yet
very important for that un-interrupted pleasure of best cup of
Espresso every day.
The simple pleasures
in daily life begin with.....
A Good cup of Java in the
morning
"Know Your Espresso
Maker"
There is an increasing
number of Espresso machines finding their way into Americans homes.
The busy lifestyle eludes the attention to maintain these machines.
As a result, there is considerable frustration with breakdowns and
cost of repair.
In order to make the best Espresso and
Espresso based drinks, it is necessary to know the limits of the
machine and its functions. Operating manuals give enough
information, if the same is applied as
stated.
As authorized Service Center for Saeco,
LaPavoni & Gaggia espresso machines, we at Services
Unlimited, Inc. come across a number of simple reasons why an
espresso machine malfunctions. The most common reason is that Owners
of espresso machines do not care to know their espresso makers until
the machine stops making the coffee. The thought of
missing that cup of Java is disappointing, frustrating and
definitely expensive..... and the blame goes to-----? the
espresso machine. Ya right. If only these Machines could talk!
Serious coffee lovers have
(or should have) an Espresso maker in the kitchen. It is an
individual choice whether one likes a hands on affair every day to
make good espresso or want it easy with a simple push button to let
the espresso maker do the grinding, tamping and extraction. One
thing is common to all espresso makers - The Cleaning after
making espresso and proper maintenance of the espresso machine. It
is a discipline that should be easy for those who care for
the quality and have a passion for coffee drink.
First discipline - take ten
minutes to make that best cup of espresso or cappuccino. Master the
method to get the hot, dark extract with rich golden crema that
will not allow one teaspoon of sugar to
sink.
Second
discipline - Spend five minutes to clean the machine after
making espresso. The coffee oils and fine partcles of
coffee should not be left in the water passage to dry and accumulate
layer after layer until they block the passage. If the machine has a
pre-ground function, make a decaf before making espresso to flush
and warm up the water passage. Make another decaf cycle after
finishing the espresso cycles. This will flush out the coffee and
oils remaining in the system. A ritual of just 15 minutes every
day morning.
Make note: Manufacturer's warranty cover
requires that owners maintain the machine as recommended otherwise
the warranty is void.
The rule is simple. - Know your
Espresso maker. Make the best use of it and avoid unnecessary
breakdowns.
Choosing an espresso machine is like
finding the car or adopting a pet. Choose the type of machine
you like - all manual operation like a lever operated
Europiccola or semi automatic like pump operated models Saeco
model Espresso Classico. fully automated models like Saeco's Vienna
line and Magic deluxe, fully automatic with decaf options and so
on.In addition to the questions about how a machine is
operated, ask for what the machine cannot do what are common
causes of breakdown, maintenance requirements and availability
of parts and service facilities . Ask for a demonstration.
available. Do not accept all that a sales person tells you. In most
cases the sales person may not even know half the functions and
maintenance steps. Ask friends who have used one. Ask any
knowledgeable person other than the sales person in the store. The
following considerations will be very helpful:
1- Focus on espresso machines made
in Italy. Espresso machines made in Switzerland,
Spain, France and Germany may be good but they are not
backed by satisfactory after sales service in the USA..
2- Investigate the availability of
after-sales service back up. Ask vendors for recommended service
centers. The Vendors have the tendency to pass the
information given to them. It helps to make a couple of calls to
ascertain the facts.
3- Availability of spare parts is
very important. Make notes about the sources for parts and repairs
facilities near you. Save the original packing for use when you may
need to ship the machine to a repair center.
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DOs and
DONTs
**Do not leave espresso maker 'ON' if you do
not plan to use it for two or more hours. It takes less
than 5 minutes for the machine to warm up. Leaving the espresso
maker 'On' reduces the life of electrical components and high
temperatures damage the seals and gaskets.
** Do not let the machine warm up
without priming it immediately as it is turned on. Prime
it by flushing 1 to 2 oz. water through the
steam/hot water wand. Turn the steam / Water outlet open. This will
ensure that water fill the boiler without back pressure and there is
adequate water inside the boiler before the heating element gets too
hot.and short.
**Do not wait until the warning
light appears as a reminder for descaling. Follow a definite
schedule for descaling. We recommend descaling be done every two
months. No excuses. If one descaling date is
missed, the second time apply two descaling cycles to
remove that extra accumulation of mineral
deposits.
**Filtered water or bottled water
is free from odor of chemicals but not free from
minerals. (Only distilled water is free from minerals). Using
water softener is a very good idea as it removes the
minerals.
*Do not use oily
beans. The coffee oil helps caking of the coffee grounds in the
grinder and in the doser. Fine particles of coffee and oil build up
sediment accumulation and if not cleaned regularly become hard.
Such sediments can only grow thicker and interfere in the grinding
and accurate dosing of coffee beans. Oily ground coffee tends to
cake and does not flowing smoothly through automatic dosing and
tamping functions.
**Always clean the milk frother
immediately after use - first by releasing steam for 10
seconds and then wipe milk sticking outside on the
frother. Twice a week dismantle the parts of frother to clean
and sanitize the parts using chlorine based
sanitizer.
**Do not use more than 7
grams of ground coffee in fully automatic espresso makers. It makes
the pump work harder and lose pressure. It will also damage the
automated brew drive gears and motor. For stronger espresso, it is
preferable to reduce the dose of espresso to 2 oz. or less. Use two
shots of espresso instead of using twice the quantity of
ground coffee for one large espresso.
**Not using the espresso
maker for extended period of time is not good for the machine. The
water left in the boiler and hoses dries inside the boiler, the
pump and valves, leaving significant residue. Such mineral
residue can block the path of water through narrow valves and jets.
If the machine has to be left unused for long periods of absence,
then descale the machine before going away.
**After purchase of the machine and
reading through the user's manual, make a promise to the machine
that you will maintain it like a pet. Find out where you can buy the
right coffee beans, the source of cleaning supplies, replacement
parts for maintenance and last but not the least, the nearest
repair center.
Good
luck. Enjoy the cup of Java everyday.
 Maintenance of Lever
operated models
LaPavoni Europiccola
and Professional Lusso have no pump or electronic parts. The
maintenance is therefore reduced to cleaning the coffee filter
basket in the handle and replacing the rubber parts (gaskets and
O-rings) every 8 to 12 months. Services Unlimited,
Inc. have available 9-piece preventive maintenance kit for
$28.00.
Cleaning of Saeco Coffee
grinder
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