Yuki wrote:Key question: Is the Mini plastic hose to metal fitting, like the GS3? (Similar at all to my photo?) Imagine maybe yes, as manufacturers love as much redundant parts as they can get. But gonna ask.

The Linea Mini has a barbed metal fitting on the back of the reservoir to which the plastic hose attaches very tightly without a clamp. I no longer have the machine and am unable to take any measurements, but if the hose is the same size then it seems like the Nalgene fitting should work.

Rocky

I prefer to disconnect mine at the pump whenever I need to remove the reservoir. I did think about wear and tear, but there's a male to male adaptor fitting connecting to the pump, and I figured if anything indeed does wear, I'll just get a replacement at that point.

There's a bunch of quick connects here, not vouching for anything, but lots to choose from.

https://www.freshwatersystems.com/c-502 ... tings.aspx

Ira

Many thanks for the link. For the time being, LM USA has (again) clarified: "Just don't (disconnect the hose from the fitting)." So I won't.

They did mention that they would prefer the steam boiler get flushed (used) a bit more than the manual suggests (aggressive use, actually, for rinsing that you might previously have used the group for), to keep the mineral concentration in the boiler as low as possible. I knew about this potential concentration problem (from reading on this site), but they are clearly telling me now that I should be more aggressive than I suspected.

They are also saying I should drain the steam boiler completely as often as 120 to 180 days. That's also more frequently than I suspected, and the variance is likely dependent on how aggressively you refill that boiler by taking water from the hot water tap.

LM USA has also now cancelled their recommendation of Crystal Geyser waters that are NOT either Shasta, Olancha Peak, or South Carolina. Seems they are up to speed now on the fact that "Crystal Geyser" is not "Crystal Geyser". Some of the sources are actually very hard water. They're telling me that "a little scaling" is actually good, as it protects the boilers. They don't quantify that, however.

I used to follow the instructions to the letter. Then 5 years into ownership I opened my boilers to replace the heaters (from 110V to 220V). The boilers were not "like new" but actually "new".

Since then I more or less stopped cleaning it. Instead I use hot water from the machine all the time. For porridge, for tea, for soups, for risotto, etc.

I do once every few months open up the expansion valve and wait 15 minutes to replace the water in the coffee boiler.

I also routinely check the water.

I only ever empty it to replace fittings, etc.

Your input very much appreciated.