Putting espresso machine away for a few weeks
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We are in the middle of redoing our kitchen, and I'm not going to have counters for several weeks, is there anything I need to do if my QM Carola is just going to sit unplugged for a few weeks? I'm thinking simply detergent back flush, then drain the boiler (with the heater off), but wasn't sure if there was any other steps.
Thanks
Thanks
- Randy G.
- Posts: 5340
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Clean the group with a detergent backflush then flush with clean water and drain the boiler (it is an easy machine for that). Run a tank of water through when putting it back into service and all should be fine even after a month or two. Just keep it in a warm location so freezing is not an issue.
EspressoMyEspresso.com - 2000-2023 - a good run, its time is done
- BaristaBoy E61
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The only thing I would add might be that after you've done a detergent flush that you might do yet another flush with the reservoir filled with distilled water so that what remains might keep the rubber seals and washers moist with non-scaling water.
"You didn't buy an Espresso Machine - You bought a Chemistry Set!"
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I would not drain the boiler and leave it empty, but instead fill it with distilled or demineralized water. Given enough time, this should reverse any limescale build-up in a non-toxic manner.* Then drain again and refill with normal water before use.
*I haven't actually done this and I am not sure if the limescale reversal will work when the water is at room temperature. However, based on experiments done in my head, it should work:)
*I haven't actually done this and I am not sure if the limescale reversal will work when the water is at room temperature. However, based on experiments done in my head, it should work:)
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When you say, "flush with the reservoir filled with distilled water".....shouldn't that be R Pavlis water or similar? Isn't distilled water by itself corrosive on an espresso machine?BaristaBoy E61 wrote:The only thing I would add might be that after you've done a detergent flush that you might do yet another flush with the reservoir filled with distilled water so that what remains might keep the rubber seals and washers moist with non-scaling water.
- BaristaBoy E61
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For a few weeks?
"You didn't buy an Espresso Machine - You bought a Chemistry Set!"
- cafeIKE
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I used to travel for work for up to six weeks and I never did anything to a DB or HX save lock in a PF wiggle filled blind basket... and the machines are still running fine more than a decade later.
It could be that after weeks of road dreck, my taste buds were uncalibrated but shots always tasted fine. Water back then was Arrowhead or Crystal Geyser.
It could be that after weeks of road dreck, my taste buds were uncalibrated but shots always tasted fine. Water back then was Arrowhead or Crystal Geyser.
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http://www.ieLogical.com/coffee
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I have left a Carola several times for periods of a month, and just drained the reservoir, and let the boiler be. On returning I refilled the reservoir and flushed out the machine using several tankfuls of water, I assume replacing all the boiler water. I can't remember if this was advice from HB or Chris Coffee. This obviously assumes no possibility of freezing.
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The few times I've left our machines idle for a few weeks, I did nearly nothing. We always back flush (without chem) after each session. So, we just dump the reservoir and clean it. On return, we simply refill the reservoir, run a bit of water through before pulling the first shot, and carry on as normal. I've done this with our former HX and our current DB machines.
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Same here - my single boiler machine recently idled for 6 weeks with no preparations save a backflush with detergent. No ill effects.