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Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

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  • Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

    Hi everyone,

    So after having a chat to the guys down a Supreme Coffee Machines and purchasing some of their backflushing powder and a blanking plate i thought id give this a try as per their instructions...

    Put in rubber blanking disk
    Add small amount of powder
    Turn on pump until pressure builds up (around 4-5 seconds, can hear change in sound)
    Wait for pressure release and detergent to come through the drain hose into the drip tray
    Repeat 7-8 times and then do it without powder to remove residue.

    This is all well and good, except nothing comes out through the drain hose, the machine just sits there after the pressure has built up?

    Does this mean my three-way valve is stuck? Do i even have a three-way valve, did they tell me wrong advice on a machine they sold?

    Cheers everyone,
    any advice is appreciated!

    Kyle.

  • #2
    Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

    As far as I know the Nemox Fenice does not have a 3-way solenoid valve - so theres a very good reason why its not working!

    Before we carry on with this assumption (there are alot of variants of these machines!), you can check by looking for a silicone hose that protrudes from the base of the front panel of the machine and goes into the drip tray.

    If Im right, your machine has a much simpler arrangement and does not need to be backflushed. At the base of your boiler there is a spring-loaded rubber mushroom valve that is held closed when the boiler is at operating pressure to stop water draining out, but the pump has enough pressure to force it open for making coffee. They are very hassle free and only need to be flushed with brew water after making coffee. What you will find though is a buildup of gunk under the shower screen - if you feel inclined get that off and use the powder diluted with some hot water to soak it in over night, then give it a rinse and screw it back on.

    A brew solenoid works by opening the path from the boiler to the coffee when you hit the brew switch, and then closing it again when the brew switch is turned off. Closing the solenoid also has a secondary action of opening a path from the brew head and out through the drip tray. So, when you switch off the pump after brewing coffee, all that pressure built up by the pump onto the coffee puck is released safely into the drip tray by the closing of the solenoid.

    This pressure is what allows the backflush solution to make its way back through the group head to clean all the coffee residue out.

    The key point here is that you only need to run the pump long enough to build up brew pressure, the moment of turning off the brew switch is when the solution does its work. Running the pump for more than a few seconds is not necessary and only stresses the pump.

    Hope that clarifies.

    -Rick

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    • #3
      Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

      Thanks Rick, appreciate your response! Its a bit disheartening when the store that sold the machine provided incorrect information about this though - especially when it can result in damage.

      Just to clarify, what are the steps i should take when cleaning this machine?

      Thanks again Rick!

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

        Originally posted by 5C515A475C515F4C5A5750595C4B533E0 link=1320473739/2#2 date=1320476376
        Just to clarify, what are the steps i should take when cleaning this machine?
        I would imagine that if you cant do a backflush, then its going to be a standard regular descale and wipedown

        Though I sometimes soak the portafilter in backflush juice anyway, just to help get rid of the coffee oils that get built up in odd nooks and crannies (it did do a number on the damn chrome plating though, ye gods that stuff was thin, not that Im too bothered, its been hacked up to make a naked portafilter)

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

          Hi Kyle,

          No problem. I just edited my post to clarify that I am not 100% sure there is no 3-way solenoid on your machine, but from what I recall from the internals of the Fenice, its identical to my Napolitana which has a mushroom valve.

          It is annoying when youre given the wrong advice, for sure, but the powder will still be useful as you can use it to periodically soak the shower screen which is where all the gunk hides.

          Depends how fussy you are, but maybe monthly if the machine is in regular use get the showerscreen off (stainless steel perforated disk at the base of the boiler, which has a screw in the centre) and soak it overnight in a solution of the powder and hot water.

          Then rinse, screw it back on, doesnt need to be very tight, and throw out the first coffee you make after cleaning with the chemical. You can also scrub the brass base of the boiler with a bristle brush when the showerscreen is off, with some of the same stuff.

          To be honest though the best thing is to just do a short flush with water, with the portafilter in, after making every coffee. That will take care of most of the coffee build up.

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          • #6
            Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

            Most of the Lelit built machines (Mokita, Nemox, Quaha, etc.) have 3-way valves, but definitely not all of them. I know that the Mokitas were imported both with and without 3-way valves. I thought the Fenice had one but couldnt be sure.

            Best thing to do is take the cover off and see if there is one. If unsure, post a photo here. In the meantime definitely dont backflush.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Nemox Fenice - Backflushing?

              Thanks everyone, heres a photo of the internals.

              Comment

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