Puly Caff Liquid Descaler for Espresso or Coffee Machines
$29
A cleaning process to be done to dissolve most limescale minerals.
It is essential to prioritize water softening as the primary method of preventing limescale buildup. Descaling should be considered a secondary measure only when water softening has not been conducted, particularly in areas with hard, mineral-rich water.
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Puly Caff Liquid Descaler for Espresso or Coffee Machines
What
Descaling is necessary if the espresso machine had accumulated a lot of minerals from the water. It is much better to treat and soften the water than descaling an espresso machine too much.
Severe amount of mineral build-ups can cause sensors to malfunction, creating various issues which can be hazardous. However, we must warn that the descaling agent may not be able to reach the key components to clear off limescale adequately. Users should not be using mineral or Alkaline water for coffee machines. To find out more about the importance of water softening, click here.
This product is for any coffee machines, particularly for espresso machines with boilers.
Descaling can be a challenging process. For the best effect with the least damage, it should be done by a qualified technician.
Puly Caff Liquid Descaler for Espresso or Coffee Machines is a food-grade liquid solution available in individual bottles for convenient storage. This descaler works effectively with room temperature water and is specifically formulated for maximum performance. It is safe for use on boilers made of yellow metals (like copper and brass) and stainless steel, making it versatile for various espresso machines and boilers.in liquid form, is food grade and in individual bottles for easier storage.
When
Determining the need for descaling can be challenging as it varies based on water hardness and machine usage. For those who effectively soften their water, descaling is usually not necessary.
Opting for a water softener is a proactive approach that can minimize the need for frequent descaling. This descaler is ideal for routine preventive maintenance to gently remove light mineral buildups, ensuring your espresso machine operates efficiently.
How
The instructions below are for clearing light layers of build-ups along the water circuitry.
If your machine wasn’t purchased from Fine Coffee Company, please refer to your vendor for instructions.
Who
For users who want to do light and preventive descaling, it’s possible that the user can do it themselves.
For severe cases, please contact a qualified serviceman.
Things to note and disclamer
Please be aware that the instructions provided may not effectively remove extensive or all types of limescale. The descaler may also not reach every part of the machine, particularly the upper sections of the boiler where important components are located.
It’s important to note that frequent descaling, due to its erosive nature, can void warranties on many professional machines, including those we sell. Issues can arise post-descaling if limescale flakes off and obstructs valves or damages critical components, especially if the procedure is not performed correctly.
We are not liable for any damage or injuries that may occur during the descaling process. Instead of frequent heavy descaling, we advocate for preventing limescale build-up by using softened water. Descaling should always be the last resort. For significant mineral deposits, please consult a qualified technician.
How much to purchase?
Each box contains two bottles of 125ml of Liquid Descaler.
For every 125ml of descaler, mix with 400ml of water.
Two bottles should create a mixture of 1050ml of descaling agent.
You will need to purchase the amount according to the size of your boiler + 500ml extra for each grouphead.
Example:
Bezzera Magica, Mitica, BZ16 or Strega.
It has a 2 litres boiler with a single grouphead
You will need five bottles of descalers for full descaling which includes the main service boiler.
Bezzera Crema, BZ07, BZ09, BZ10 or BZ13
It has a 1.5 Litres boiler with a single grouphead
You will need four bottles of descalers for full descaling which includes the main service boiler.
If you are descaling only the heat exchanger and grouphead, using 1 bottle should be sufficient.
Instructions
The descaling instructions provided are specific to machines sold by Fine Coffee Company and may not be suitable for all brands. For guidance tailored to your particular machine, please consult the user manual.
It’s important to note that descaling will not entirely remove limescale, particularly from hard-to-reach areas like the top of the boiler or the extremities of the water circuitry. It may be necessary to replace or inspect components located in these areas during maintenance. To maintain optimal internal condition and minimize the need for extensive repairs, use only softened water in your machine.
Single Boiler and Heat Exchangers (click to view)
IMPORTANT FOR VIBRATION PUMPS: KEEP THE INTERVALS OF IT WORKING AT MAXIMUM 30 SECONDS. FOR EVERY 30 SECONDS OF THE PUMP WORKING, REST IT FOR 30 SECONDS.
The video below should work for heat exchangers and covers both descaling the service boiler and heat exchanger.
Note: If your machine is a Strega, skip the part on using a blind filter.
It might not be necessary to descale both the main service boiler and heat exchanger. Here are the instructions for descaling them separately.
DESCALING THE MAIN SERVICE BOILER
The main service boiler is where most of the water reside.
This will descale mainly the following areas:
i) Route from the pump to the service boiler.
ii) Pump
iii) Heating element
iv) Refill solenoid which is a water traffic controller that decides when to route water into the boiler
v) Water probe that sense the minimum amount.
This will not descale parts that the descaler can’t reach. Example the vacuum relief valve, the temperature or pressure sensor, gauges, the safety valves, and the water probe that detects the water level.
DRAINING THE BOILER.
1. Heat up machine regularly till it’s ready and pressurized.
2. Switch off the machine and immediately drain the boiler by releasing water from the water wand.
PREPARING THE DESCALER
3a. If the machine has a water tank.
i) Replace the water in the tank with an appropriate mix of descaling agent and water according to instruction.
3b. If the machine doesn’t use a water tank and can only draw water from a water network.
i) Get ready a separate water container. Fill it up with an appropriate mix of descaling agent and water according to instruction.
ii) Disconnect water hose from the water network and place hose into the water container containing the descaling agent.
REFILLING THE BOILER
4. Switch on the machine. The machine should draw the descaling agent into the boiler.
5. Let the descaler sit for 30 minutes.
RINSING THE BOILER
6. Repeat 2 more cycles to drain and refill the boiler listed in steps 1, 2 and 4. Except do it with clean softened water without any descaler.
REMINDER AGAIN!
IMPORTANT FOR VIBRATION PUMPS: KEEP THE INTERVALS OF IT WORKING AT MAXIMUM 30 SECONDS. FOR EVERY 30 SECONDS OF THE PUMP WORKING, REST IT FOR 30 SECONDS.
DESCALING THE HEAT EXCHANGER
Heat exchanger is the section where the water used for your espresso extraction passes through.
This will descale mainly the following areas:
i) Route from the pump to the heat exchanger.
ii) Pump
iii) Heat exchanger
iv) 3 way valve or solenoid, which is the traffic controller that decides when to route water out of the grouphead
v) Overpressure valve (partially)
vi) Grouphead (partially)
This may address some issues associated to unusual brew pressure or flow rates.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN, MAKE SURE THE BOILER IS FULL
1. Heat up machine regularly till it’s ready and hot.
2. Do not purge water from the water wand so that the machine will not refill the main service boiler with descaler.
PREPARING THE DESCALER
3a . If the machine has a water tank.
i) Replace the water in the tank with an appropriate mix of descaling agent and water according to instruction.
3b. If the machine doesn’t use a water tank and can only draw water from a water network.
i) Get ready a separate water container. Fill it up with an appropriate mix of descaling agent and water according to instruction.
ii) Disconnect water hose from the water network and place hose into the water container containing the descaling agent.
FLUSH IT OUT FROM THE GROUPHEAD
4. Flush about 15 seconds of the water out from the grouphead.
5. Insert a blind, pressurise the grouphead with descaling agent drawn from the water tank for 5 times. [NOT APPLICABLE FOR BEZZERA STREGA, NEVER USE A BLIND FILTER FOR STREGA!]
6. Leave the agent in the espresso machine for 30 minutes.
RINSING IT OUT
7. Replace water tank with a tank of clean softened water. Make sure the water tank was cleaned and clear from any descaler first.
8. Repeat 2 more cycles to clean the heat exchanger and grouphead listed in steps 4 and 5. Except do it with clean softened water without any descaler.
REMINDER AGAIN!
IMPORTANT FOR VIBRATION PUMPS: KEEP THE INTERVALS OF IT WORKING AT MAXIMUM 30 SECONDS. FOR EVERY 30 SECONDS OF THE PUMP WORKING, REST IT FOR 30 SECONDS.
NOTES:
It is not possible to fully drain out the descaler from the boiler. If you wish to know if you had flushed enough to get rid of the descaler from the boiler. Simply draw some water, sprinkle some baking soda on it, it should not fizz.
For a short moment of time after descaling, the water may seem to have more bubbles or have a light odour.
It is important to remember that vibration pumps should not work for 2 minutes without 1 minute of rest. Rotary pumps should never run without water passing.
Double Boilers (click to view)
We will suggest requesting for professional help due to complications.
WARNING:
1. NEVER allow a vibration pump to activate for more than 120 seconds and work for too long without rest, it will overheat and damage the pump.
2. DO NOT perform descaling and grouphead flushing with detergent back to back or together.
3. Flakes of scales and impurities may cause technical issues after descaling. Fine Coffee Company will not guarantee and does not warrant user’s machines from malfunctioning after descaling.
Puly Caff is a subsidiary unit from Asachimici group who had been formulating cleaners for the food industry since 1890.
The brand Puly Caff was specially established for the coffee sector and their products are of the highest premium standard formulated by chemists with baristas.
It is the most preferred brand used by professionals and households in Italy and for most demanding.
Highly recommended by established manufacturers of espresso machines, particularly Bezzera, the mechanist family who invented the first espresso machines.
All Puly Caff products are made in Italy.
