Our Recommendations on Residential Equipment

Our advice and recommendations are based on our experience and observations as a coffee and espresso repair depot. We see first-hand what parts usually break down and other general wear-and-tear items. Listed below are our recommendations for the well-being of your machine. Please note that for specific information regarding your machine we advise you to contact your manufacturer.

Water

Advice: Be friendly to your machine by using good quality water. For brewed coffee it is best to use filtered water. For espresso is it best to use distilled, reverse osmosis or softened water. Note that certain machines with a level probe will not function with distilled or reverse osmosis water. Please see your manufacturer's guidelines for those machines.

Reasons: Our water in the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding area is ladened with a high mineral content. This means that it may cause serious harm to any equipment that uses water by plugging up your water lines and prematurely causing your boiler to fail.

Beans

Advice: For your automatic grinder we advise to use a non-oily bean. Do not refridgerate or freeze your beans.

Reasons: Oily beans will clog up the blades in your grinder causing it to continuously grind. Beans that are refridgerated or frozen and are not properly thawed will create condensation that may cause your grinder to clog up and not grind properly.

Maintenance

Advice: Descale your machine periodically with a mild descalor. We recommend using a mild descalor as directed by your manufacturer and NOT vinegar.

Reasons: Even with soft water scale will build up in your machine and periodic cleaning is needed.Refer to your manufacturer for the descaling period. We offer the Saeco brand of descalors. Other mild descalors are available. A harsh or commercial descalor will eat at the aluminium and white metal parts in your machine. Vinegar usage may cause the orings to disintegrate and thus creating a water leak.

Advice: Clean your machine regularily.

Reasons: Not keeping your machine clean will cause mold to grow on used espresso that is stored in your garbage bin. Build up of used grounds may be left on your brew unit's shower from previous cups causing blank shots or other problems. When you make an espresso most automatic machines have a small amount of water from the back flow. When this water is unable to flow into the water tray it may seem as though your machine is leaking. Also empty your water tray when it is full as you may find the same leaky results.

Transportation & Storage

Advice: Always store your machine in an above freezing room.

Reasons: Water expands as it freezes. When transporting or storing your machine it is best to keep it at an above freezing temperature. For transportation we drain as much of the water in the tank as possible by venting the machine.