Elektra Microcasa a Leva weak steam problem - Page 3
- rpavlis
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: 12 years ago
It will regenerate very quickly. Although water or non oxidising acids cannot react with copper, oxygen can! The film of CuO is impervious so the oxygen cannot reach the copper under it once it forms. Sadly carbonate scale is porous and does not provide such protection.
If you use potassium bicarbonate (or sodium) you can adjust the quantity for best flavour. I generally use about 75 mg/litre. By compounding the water you are in absolute control over what is in the water.
If you use potassium bicarbonate (or sodium) you can adjust the quantity for best flavour. I generally use about 75 mg/litre. By compounding the water you are in absolute control over what is in the water.
- drgary
- Team HB
- Posts: 14348
- Joined: 14 years ago
Did the weak steam problem resolve with descaling?
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
- SimonPatrice (original poster)
- Posts: 380
- Joined: 12 years ago
I didn't test it yet as I wanted to start over with better water. When I steamed the vinegar and water mixture yesterday it seemed a lot better so I have hope. I bought some distilled water but couldn't find the potassium bicarbonate. I went to a wine making place but all they had was potassium sorbate. I will try to find the potassium bicarbonate tomorrow as I'd like to use my machine soon.
But, it gave a good occasion to use the Caravel again. It still makes amazing coffee!
But, it gave a good occasion to use the Caravel again. It still makes amazing coffee!
Patrice
LMWDP #428
LMWDP #428
- LDT
- Posts: 242
- Joined: 10 years ago
I asked a wine supply house for potassium bicarbonate. All they had was potassium carbonate. I asked on the forum several months ago if I could use potassium carbonate instead of bicarbonate and never did get an answer. I'm not a chemist so I don't know if you can substitute one for the other for boiler water treatment. Does anyone know?
- spressomon
- Posts: 1904
- Joined: 12 years ago
If you don't have a brewery supply ...
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Brew-Ohio-3 ... 0064GZPU4/
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Brew-Ohio-3 ... 0064GZPU4/
No Espresso = Depresso
- aecletec
- Posts: 1997
- Joined: 13 years ago
If you tweet to Christopher Hendon @chhendon he has been responsive to my questions.LDT wrote:Does anyone know?
Ebay is where I obtained mine.
- rpavlis
- Posts: 1799
- Joined: 12 years ago
Potassium carbonate is more basic. I never tried to use it, but it might be okay if one used about half as much, one could do a taste test with it to see. I have one of those small electronic balances I use for this. As I remember it cost about US$12. I have a heavy duty 4 litre polyethylene container I use for mixing. With that I put in about 0.25 grams of potassium bicarbonate for the degree of roast I use lately, that is about 60mg/litre.
- bill
- Supporter ♡
- Posts: 526
- Joined: 18 years ago
This is all very interesting; I'm going to try adding potassium bicarbonate to the distilled water I use in the Elektra Leva. Since my Gaggia is plumbed in, using distilled water is not an option.
Bill
LMWDP #43
I wasn't born in Texas, but got here as fast as I could!
LMWDP #43
I wasn't born in Texas, but got here as fast as I could!
- LDT
- Posts: 242
- Joined: 10 years ago
Robert, thank you for the reply. I've been using very small amounts of potassium carbonate when I fill the Elektra boiler about every fifth fill. I definitely have a buildup of the black coating you referenced earlier and after three years of use there's no visible sign of scale. No taste issues either.
- HB
- Admin
- Posts: 21983
- Joined: 19 years ago
Split follow-on discussion to Elektra Microcasa a Leva boiler leak problem at poster's request.
Dan Kehn