Posted Mon Mar 31, 2003, 9:50am Subject: Re: millennium backflushing
I try to backflush a couple times a week. I only ever use the doubleshot basket, so I leave the blank disk in my single spout portafilter to make it much simpler. I just tighten down the single shot portafilter w/ the blank disk, flip up the pump lever and let it run until the pump goes quiet... about 7-10 seconds. Repeat 1 or 2 times.
I use the cleaner once a month (1st weekend of the month to ease the remembering). I sprinkle a teaspoon into the blank disk, backflush a couple of times and then let the machine sit for 5-10 minutes while I wash the water tank and give everything a good cleaning. I try to draw a liter or so of water through the machine to give it a good flushing and backflush 8-10 times to get the rest of the cleaner out. All of the chrome gets a good shining and I soak the doubleshot portafilter in cleaner-n-hot water for 10 minutes or so, followed by lots of rinsing and a final shot of espresso made and promptly discarded.
I haven't removed the screen etc. yet, but I may try to do that every 6 months or so. I just give the screen and underside of the grouphead a good scrubbing w/ a grouphead brush after the cleaner soak period of my monthly cleaning.
bourbon Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2003 Posts: 34 Location: near Toronto Ontario Expertise: Intermediate
Espresso: isomac millennium Grinder: maestro, cunill tranquilo Vac Pot: bodum santos Drip: God no Roaster: hearthware precision
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2003, 9:59am Subject: Re: millennium backflushing
aaron;
this is off topic, but I see you only use double shot basket. Does this mean you never drink single shots?
I am purchasing the 6 g single basket instead of the 7 g single basket that came with the unit as I find it too strong for a single shot with the larger basket.
rbh1515 Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 1,127 Location: Milwaukee Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: LM GS3 Grinder: Mazzer Vac Pot: have one Drip: no Roaster: never use it
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2003, 4:15pm Subject: Re: millennium backflushing
I follow a very similar protocol to Aaron's. I also only pull double shots and leave the blind filter in the other handle. I do a backflush with just water every couple days and at that time I take a wet paper towel and wipe out the edges of the grouphead. I do a backflush with Urnex once a month and at that time clean out the water reservoir. A clean machine makes better espresso. Rob
Posted Mon Mar 31, 2003, 4:39pm Subject: Re: millennium backflushing
I'm a Tea owner. Similar routine to Aaron. Major difference is the amount of cleaner. 1/3 of a teaspoonful of powder dissolved in a small volume of hot water prior to attaching portafilter. Let it sit for a minute or two. Remove & dump contents. Removes gunk from screen area. Repeat above procedure with an actual backflush. Using a full teaspoonful of cleaner resulted in my lever "squeaking" requiring too many rinse flushings. 1/3 teaspoonful cleans up the machine just a good as one teaspoonful.
Noel Mano dell 'operatore> Macinadosatore> Miscela> Macchina espresso
You can save a few bucks if you buy cleaner directly from www.urnex.com. They make the backflush cleaner for Starbucks, Peets, etc. Much cheeper to buy in tablet or powder form. Avoid the little envelopes, unless you like wasting money.
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