Hey guys, I have a lelit pl041 and have never really gave it a good cleaning. I want to order some cleaning supplies and catch up on my machines maintenance and hopefully keep up with it.

I've noticed that you can buy both decalcifying products and detergents? Are both required? I've noticed some of the detergents say they decalcify also?
Am not 100% sure but am I safe to assume that the detergent is used for backflushing (small scoop of powder in a blank portafilter) and the decalcifying product is to be put in the water reservoir and run through the machine with a regular portafilter?

I also need advice on which products to buy. I live in Canada so I am limited in online shopping but would like to purchase from this site because they also have the lelit naked portafilter I would like.

http://www.idrinkcoffee.com/Cleaning_De...s_s/66.htm

Can anyone make recommendations on which detergent/decalcifying products I should get for my lelit?

Thanks

And decalcifying agent will not remove old coffee oils. It is an acid for dissolving calcium and mineral deposits but will do little to nothing for removing coffee gunk, and vice versa. Right tool for the right job, they are not interchangeable.

Cleaning frequency depends on how much coffee you put through the machine, and your level of OCD.

Use Dezcal ever 6 months or so to descale your boiler. (Some like to do this more or less often). Run through an entire reservoir with this, 1/4 or so at a time, letting it sit for about 20 minutes each time, flushing through your steam wand (and group head if you like). Make sure the boiler/power is off while it's sitting. There is another product called cleancaf that is a mild descaler + detergent, but putting detergent through your boiler is probably not ideal. At least not frequently, and if you do it be sure to rinse very well.

Use cafiza or something similar to backflush with a blind basket every couple of weeks (some like to do this more or less often). I also like to backflush with just water once a day.

In all cases be sure to rinse well.

thanks for the reply. i'll pick up some dezcal for the decalcifying and try out some joe glo detergent.