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How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

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  • How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

    Hi

    I have a La Cimbali Junior S (M21) which is about 2 years old. I use a Brita filter jug then run the water through a couple of coffee filter papers (to remove any charcoal) before filling up the water tank in my machine.

    My question is, how do i tell when the in-tank water softener needs replacing? The Cimbali cartridge costs about $70. Someone who worked as a coffee machine technician once told me you will know when to replace the water softener cartridge when the water starts to turn black. Im assuming he was talking about the water in the clear silicone tube which is attached to the water softener. Does this sound right?

    Thanks

    Graham

  • #2
    Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

    Originally posted by 54505E262B130 link=1297901145/0#0 date=1297901145
    he Cimbali cartridge costs about $70.  Someone who worked as a coffee machine technician once told me you will know when to replace the water softener cartridge when the water starts to turn black.
    Too late by then

    Depends on use and quality of water being put into the machine.

    Every 3 or 4 months maybe 6 at the most...

    Most of these types of filters can be reconditioned... By your self.


    As to "I use a Brita filter jug " from my perspective = next to useless when it comes to providing water for coffee machines.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

      Hi AM

      When you say reconditioned, with the La Cimbali water cartridge the instruction book advises to dissolve 3 scoops through the water softener to recharge it. I do this about every 2 months based on my usage. Is this what you mean by reconditioning it? Or are you actually talking about replacing the beads inside?

      Thanks

      Graham

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

        Originally posted by 4A4E4038350D0 link=1297901145/2#2 date=1297905986
        Hi AM

        When you say reconditioned, with the La Cimbali water cartridge the instruction book advises to dissolve 3 scoops through the water softener to recharge it.  I do this about every 2 months based on my usage.  Is this what you mean by reconditioning it?  Or are you actually talking about replacing the beads inside?

        Thanks

        Graham
        3 scoops of WHAT ?


        I usually get a concentrated salt water mix and soak / flush the cartridge for at least a couple of hrs... Usually do it of an evening and remember in teh morning

        A quick rinse with some clean water and PRESTO - ready to rock and roll.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

          As to "I use a Brita filter jug " from my perspective = next to useless when it comes to providing water for coffee machines.

          I am interested to know why a "Brita Filter Jug" would be next to useless?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?


            cjt10

            A lot of snobbers have found that brita filter jugs may clean the water a bit but also tend to leave fine carbon particles in the water which eventually build up in the water tank and boiler and can cause trouble with sensors in the water tank and gunk in the boiler.

            Bombora do good under sink systems - Bernard is very happy to discuss. I got an under sink system which requires a cartridge replacement just once a year and doesnt cost much more than a years supply of Brita filters - but cleans a lot more water.


            Cheers

            Sniff

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

              Originally posted by 39302E6B6A5A0 link=1297901145/4#4 date=1297933104
              As to "I use a Brita filter jug "  from my perspective = next to useless when it comes to providing water for coffee machines.

              I am interested to know why a "Brita Filter Jug" would be next to useless?
              Use teh search function and see lots of discussion and first hand experience...

              In teh first instance: These units are not in the same "league" as true water filters / softeners and even teh big boys have issues where the water quality is suspect.... Besides even then you often need at least two or three different filters to get the quality you need.

              Would I drink water done with Brita jug... YES.

              Would I expect the water to be filtered and clean - not really.

              Most seem to use a straight course carbon type filter and that is not enough: if you want to manage scale in your coffee machine.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

                I have just had my machine serviced by a sponsor after 2 years of use. I have always babied my machine, inside and out but not realised that Brita are not up to the job. Even the service agent commented on how well maintained my machine is.

                Is the carbon issue only a problem when you use a new filter?

                I soak the filter for 10 minutes, then flush 2-3 jug full of water through before it goes anywhere near my machine.

                Will look at getting a Bombora unit.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                  Ive been using Brita for a few years now.

                  You are supposed to flush two jugs of water through the filter after first soaking it.
                  If you dont follow the instructions you will get some carbon from those first two jugs.

                  Brita is not the be all end all for water for your coffee machine.
                  Just ask Renzo from Di Bartoli to show you the mushroom from my Expobar that keeps to prove that point. :-[

                  But its better than nothing.

                  When I can afford better I will upgrade from the Brita.

                  Originally posted by 05010F777A420 link=1297901145/0#0 date=1297901145
                  Someone who worked as a coffee machine technician once told me you will know when to replace the water softener cartridge when the water starts to turn black.
                  Black?
                  Yuk!
                  Ill assume they no longer work as a coffee machine technician if that was their standard.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                    Brita filters tend to lower the ph of the water, turning the water to the acidic side. This may have adverse effects if your water supply is low ph to start with. Whether this has an adverse effect to your machine would have to be answered by someone that knows more than me but it could be a consideration.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                      I thought the issue with the Brita filters is that they dont reduce scale at all. A few Snobs found out the expensive way, including TG above

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                        The 3 scoops that I recharge my in-tank water softener is rock salt as per the Cimbali instruction manual.

                        After running the water through my Maxtra Brita jug I then run that water through 2 Harris paper coffee filters (available from supermarket $2 for 40 paper filters) which I put into a funnel and then fill up another jug. I then put this twice treated water in the machine.

                        If you just use the Brita jug alone there is some charcoal in the treated water, but by filtering the Brita water through 2 Harris paper filters it removes all of the charcoal. It doesn’t take very long.

                        I have experimented with this by drying out the Harris paper filters after I have run the Brita water through them for a couple of days and emptying it onto a piece of white paper. There is definitely some charcoal in the first paper filter and next to nothing in the second paper filter.

                        The water in Brisbane (Mt Crosby Weir) has an average hardness of around 130 (Calcium 59, Magnesium 71) which falls basically in the middle of the slightly hard range of 101 - 150. According to Brita technical services the first 5 litres of their test water (hardness of 160) run through the Brita Maxtra filter removes 89% of this hardness, after 25 litres 64% of hardness, after 75 litres 37% of hardness and 100 litres 35% of hardness.

                        I believe that by using the Brita jug in which I change the filter monthly, then running the Brita water through the Harris paper filters to remove any charcoal combined with the in-tank water softener in my machine that the quality of the water will mean that I shouldn’t have any scale problem or charcoal build up in my machine.

                        TG, when you said the mushroom in your Exobar, are you saying there was a lot of crap in there?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                          Originally posted by 3137202B31362E2C450 link=1297901145/10#10 date=1297986227
                          I thought the issue with the Brita filters is that they dont reduce scale at all. A few Snobs found out the expensive way, including TG above
                          Im not sure that they dont reduce scale at all.
                          Previous discussions have led me to believe they help a little.

                          Originally posted by 020608707D450 link=1297901145/11#11 date=1297993908
                          TG, when you said the mushroom in your Exobar, are you saying there was a lot of crap in there?
                          Oh yes!
                          2 years worth of build up, even with the Brita, was not a pretty sight.
                          Renzo said he could have cleaned it and put it back so it wasnt damaged much as such.
                          He just preferred to keep it as an example and install a new one.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                            I use brita jugs and do a descale each 6 months.
                            I took the mushroom out 6 months back to see how it looked (first removal in around 2 years) and it looked pretty good.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: How do you tell when in-tank water softener needs replacing?

                              TG, was the build up in your Expobar lime scale or charcoal or both? Did your Expobar have an in-tank water softener to reduce water hardness further?
                              When you mention "mushroom" is that the diaphragm in the pressurestat?
                              Thanks
                              Graham

                              Comment

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