Descaling Instructions – Dual Boiler Espresso Machines

Disclaimer:

This technical support is provided for information purposes only. 1st-line Equipment, LLC is not responsible for any injury or damages resulting from such information. Please note that we are unsure whether any solution can damage certain types of counter or sink materials.

Caution:

  • The cleaning detergents listed below are harmful if swallowed. If ingested, drink large amounts of water. In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with water. Contact a physician in either case. Avoid excessive skin contact. KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN AND PETS.
  • You should also NOT use glass to capture any hot liquids from the machine during this process.

Purpose:

Remove limescale deposits, caused by magnesium and calcium, from the internal workings of the espresso machine. Please note that the descaling dual boiler process below will only descale to the water refill line inside the boiler. It will not descale above it, nor will it descale the pressurstat.

Machine identity:

  • These instructions are provided for descaling dual boiler espresso machines with a water reservoir.
  • If your machine has a direct water connection, you will need to shut off the water supply, and disconnect and place the intake water line to a container of solution. You must watch that the pump is sucking in solution by watching the level of solution go down. If it does not, then the machine has to be sent in for service. At the point you start the RINSING, you can re-connect to a water line. In addition, on direct water connect machines with a rotary vane pump, you do not have to wait for a cool down for the pump.
  • Your espresso machine must have a single internal boiler that provides both water for espresso extraction and a second boiler for steam/hot water availability through two separate wands.
  • The machine can be a PID or a non-PID two-boiler system.

Notes / Requirements before you start:

Descaling Dual Boiler Espresso MachinesIf your instruction manual has specific instructions for descaling, we highly recommend using those instructions as the primary instructions. Use the following as secondary instructions.

  • Espresso machine – hot, powered off, plugged into an outlet
    • OPTIONAL: With the machine cold, you can opt to perform a full steam boiler descaling, but this is out of the scope of the instructions below. The boiler refill wire as described in the HX manual can be followed to fill the steam boiler in its entirety. However, you run the risk of water leakage.
  • Descaling product – we sell Puly Cleaner
    • Make sure not to get any solution on any of the machine finishes as it can ruin it permanently. If you do, completely wipe the solution off with a damp terry cloth.
  • Container/pitcher – for mixing the descaling solution
  • Cup(s) – (2) 12 oz or larger, (1) 6 oz or larger, for dispensing the descaling solution.

Instructions – Descaling Dual Boiler:

  1. Firstly, empty the water tank and remove any water treatment devices (ie water softener, osmotic pack, etc) from the tank or intake hose.
    • On direct water connection machines, shut off the valve on the water line, and disconnect the espresso machine’s water intake hose from the water connection.
  2. Follow the instructions on the descaler product for a proper solution ratio and pour the descaling solution into the water tank.
    • On direct water connect machines, pour into a large separate container.
  3. Attach the portafilter to the grouphead and place a 6 oz or larger cup underneath.
  4. Place a 12 oz or larger cup under the steam wand and a 12 oz or larger cup under the hot water wand.
    • Routinely empty these cups as you carry out the next steps below.
  5. Power on the machine and make sure both boilers are active.
  6. Run water through the grouphead. You should get about enough solution equivalent to the coffee boiler size of your machine. Stop and allow the machine to fully warm up.
    • On direct water connect machines, you must watch that the pump is sucking in the solution by watching the level of solution go down. If it does not, then the machine has to be sent in for service.
  7. Run water through the hot water wand. Let about 4 ounces of hot water escape at a time, then close the valve knob until you hear the refill pump stop. Then repeat until you have displaced approximately one-half of your steam boiler. Please keep in mind that your steam boiler is only usually half full.
  8. Let the machine sit heated for 20-30 minutes so the solution descales the internal parts of the machine.
  9. Run more water through the grouphead until all the remaining descaling solution in the water tank passes through the grouphead.
  10. Empty and rinse the water tank.
    • On a direct water connect machine, this is the point you can re-connect the intake water hose to the water line, open the water line valve, check for leaks, then proceed.
  11. Wipe down the water tank hoses with a clean wet rag.
  12. Fill the tank with fresh water and place it into the machine.
    • Note: Since we last filled up the coffee boiler with a newer solution, it is better to let it sit and rinse the steam boiler first.
  13. Run water through the hot water wand. Let about 4 ounces of hot water escape, then close the valve knob until you hear the refill pump stop. Then repeat until you have displaced approximately two times the size of your steam boiler. For example, if the steam boiler is 1.5 liters, you should displace about 3 liters of fresh water.
  14. Run water through the grouphead. You should get about enough water equivalent to two times the coffee boiler size of your machine. For example, if your machine has a 1.5-liter coffee boiler, you should run about 3 liters of water through the grouphead. However, you can not run this all at once as most tank models need a cool-down period for the vibration pump. For every minute you run the pump active, you should give it a two (2) minute rest period. This is to avoid damage to the pump.

 

The machine has successfully been descaled and rinsed.