Originally posted by TampIt
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G'day LeroyC
Caveat: any unknown machine can be destroyed by something that is innocuous in any other machine. Please check your manual first!
I have been using white vinegar on a large number of Italian commercial machines (mostly suggested by their manuals) since the 70's: no issues except getting rid of the vinegar taste can take a while. Any boiler machine: I usually flush & clean the boiler(s) out fully before going near either coffee or steam section. 90% of foul tastes I found in commercial machines are the dreaded fish oil taint from their boiler. Sometimes the coffee / steam section then loses the awful taste without any further cleaning (saves time & effort). I also (always) clean any removable parts (especially showerscreens & baskets) thoroughly as even the slightest hint of brown on them usually affects the taste. Yeah, I know I am a finicky SOB as far as cleaning goes - I just don't see why I should use great beans and good water and then trash them on their final trip into the cup.
After that cleanup, the taste test: If either the coffee or steam section tastes of anything other than water then they need a clean.
Perhaps my earlier post was unclear: just run the vinegar solution through the steam wand "as per normal use" (i.e. initially as a little "vinegar water" and then mostly "vinegar steam" as it warms up) until it runs clear (seriously, some of them have been near black!). Check that it only smells / tastes of vinegar (repeat if necessary). Then use enough "rough filtered water" (i.e. no chlorine / fluorine or too much mineral anything) until there is no vinegar taste left.
Then you can fill it with whatever high quality water you actually use for your shots. Presto: back to normal operations for that gear... unless, of course, your grinder is crap or in need of a clean...
Enjoy your cuppas & have a great new year (to all CS'r's, even the flamers - I reckon we all just want a decent coffee, even if three CS'r's will have ten opinions as to what that means).
TampIt
Caveat: any unknown machine can be destroyed by something that is innocuous in any other machine. Please check your manual first!
I have been using white vinegar on a large number of Italian commercial machines (mostly suggested by their manuals) since the 70's: no issues except getting rid of the vinegar taste can take a while. Any boiler machine: I usually flush & clean the boiler(s) out fully before going near either coffee or steam section. 90% of foul tastes I found in commercial machines are the dreaded fish oil taint from their boiler. Sometimes the coffee / steam section then loses the awful taste without any further cleaning (saves time & effort). I also (always) clean any removable parts (especially showerscreens & baskets) thoroughly as even the slightest hint of brown on them usually affects the taste. Yeah, I know I am a finicky SOB as far as cleaning goes - I just don't see why I should use great beans and good water and then trash them on their final trip into the cup.
After that cleanup, the taste test: If either the coffee or steam section tastes of anything other than water then they need a clean.
Perhaps my earlier post was unclear: just run the vinegar solution through the steam wand "as per normal use" (i.e. initially as a little "vinegar water" and then mostly "vinegar steam" as it warms up) until it runs clear (seriously, some of them have been near black!). Check that it only smells / tastes of vinegar (repeat if necessary). Then use enough "rough filtered water" (i.e. no chlorine / fluorine or too much mineral anything) until there is no vinegar taste left.
Then you can fill it with whatever high quality water you actually use for your shots. Presto: back to normal operations for that gear... unless, of course, your grinder is crap or in need of a clean...
Enjoy your cuppas & have a great new year (to all CS'r's, even the flamers - I reckon we all just want a decent coffee, even if three CS'r's will have ten opinions as to what that means).
TampIt

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