Having never had a pump machine before backflushing is new to me. I've read about it and seen it done and it doesn't seem like a big deal. Doing a water backflush is easy enough.

I picked up some PulyCaff plus to backflush my Semiautomatica with and then later wondered if there are any issues with it or any other cleaner (JoeGlo, Urnex Cafiza, etc) and the chrome surface of the Semiatomatica? I assume a few drops will eventually splash out of the drip dray or be spilled, so I don't want to ruin the surface before I even get started. Are all three of these products okay? (and in particular is PulyCaff)?

thanks,

Hugh

This is where the minuscule drip tray becomes a PITA. Put a sponge or rag over the drip tray and empty it after a few flushes, when you see the foam well up; otherwise it will overflow.

Iirc, strong cleaners are not recommended for clear coat finishes.

da gino wrote:I picked up some PulyCaff plus to backflush my Semiautomatica with and then later wondered if there are any issues with it or any other cleaner (JoeGlo, Urnex Cafiza, etc) and the chrome surface of the Semiatomatica?

I wouldn't worry about the chrome finish. Portafilters are chrome plated and I've never heard of TSP damaging the finish. Do pay attention though, the Semiautomatica driptray is easy to overflow and the screw underneath it allows water/cleaner to pass into the base.

another_jim wrote:Iirc, strong cleaners are not recommended for clear coat finishes.

The copper/brass models have a clear coat finish. My old Microcasa was the two-tone chrome/polished brass and I swear even looking at it hard would damage the finish.

I'd be more concerned about coffee and especially milk "baking" onto the boiler and base then the cleaner
just follow the above suggestion's and wipe clean after use

Excellent, thanks all of that should be easy enough to do! I'm used to some of these issues with the Pavoni (cleaning milk and coffee on the chrome, the screw that lets water into the base if you aren't careful...).

By the way, I love the machine so far (1 week in) and Jim your review was one of the biggest factors that got me interested in it. The CG review, Dave's review of the A3 here, and Stefano's active support on the forums of all Elektra owners even if they didn't buy it from him got me very interested, as did, of course, the looks of the machine, but the thing that really made me want one was when I went to Counter Culture one Friday morning and my two favorite shots were not the ones pulled on the Robur/ LM double boiler combo - which were great- but instead a pair that were pulled on a Super Jolly/ Semiautomatica combo. I already owed thanks to all three of you.

Hugh

Uh-oh, I have another backflushing question - I've been backflushing with water for a week and had no problem, but I just tried backlushing with detergent and the last time or two I think the 3 way valve didn't engage. The drip tray wasn't very full and the handle is giving a lot of resistence as I try to untwist it so I've turned it off and left the portafilter in. Is there anything I should do now to relieve the pressure (wait or run the steam or fill the boiler...) or what is the smart thing to do?

thanks in advance,

Hugh

The question answered itself after about 10 minutes it discharged and it was back to normal.