Recharging cation water softener in water tank

[rudedog]

Regarding this small softener device in my Isomac...

Is there directions somewhere on how to recharge it and with what?
Its the same as the one Chris sells for 18 bucks.

I dont have a water hardness test kit yet, in case you have one in mind?

Right now Im using gallon jug drinking water.
Back flush with Joe-Glo and have run some through the boiler.

Have not used a descaler yet but I should be able to find info on that.

Thanks.

[cannonfodder]

I have actually read reports of people having the top dislodge and the machine suck the softener pellets into the boiler. I have also heard of water flow issues with it attached. I pulled my softener off, put a float valve in the reservoir and filter inline.

[another_jim]

The pellet leakage issues have beeen solved; apparently the problems came from a bad production lot and Chris changed suppliers. These are pretty standard equipment for espresso machines and work well for moderately hard water.

They need to be recharged every week or two. Take a highball glass, fill with water, dissolve in a tablespoon of kosher (or pure, no additive) salt, and place the softener in the glass, sucking water through until you taste the salt. Let it recharge at least an hour, then rinse out the salty water (I suck on it to make sure it tastes sweet. Then you're set to go (after wiping off the nipple of course)

Some people have reported sharply reducd flow with these attached. I suspect this may have been caused by a pacing problem, since most people don't see a big reduction (there's always a little). If you have suction problems, give it a good shake.

If you've adjusted your OPV to get a maximum pump pressure for your shots, you'll see a reduction (about 1/4 to 1/2 bar) with it attached. If necessary, you'll need to readjust it with the softener attached.

[cannonfodder]

Good to know, thanks for the heads up.

[rudedog]

Ok.
Think I get it now.
Will give it a try when I get proper salt, dont know if the table salt has additives or not.

I have about 9-9.5 bar with it attached so that should be good.

another_jim 's post made me laugh, but informative, thats what I need

I did not know there were pellets in the softener that would not be good if they got out.

My set up is used so the previous owner recharged it before I got it.

Thanks guys.

[another_jim]

dont know if the table salt has additives or not.

Regular table salt has iodine and anti-caking additives. I don't know what these do to the softener; but the instructions on cation softers always specify pure salt.

[barry]

you can get 40lbs of salt pellets at lowes/homedepot for about $5. enough to use forever.

[cannonfodder]

You could try kosher salt. No iodine or anti clumping agents are added, just pure sodium chloride I believe. I prefer the taste and cook with it all the time.

[DavidMLewis]

You could try kosher salt. No iodine or anti clumping agents are added, just pure sodium chloride I believe. I prefer the taste and cook with it all the time.

You want to be more specific. The Diamond Kosher salt is pure, as you say. The Morton's isn't, and there's a definite difference in taste.

Best,
David