backflush disk
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Nectar
backflush disk
Can I use the 58mm backflush disk from Chris' Coffee? I assume not. If not, where do I order the backflush disk or did my S1 come with it? I don't think I received one with it.
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JonW
I was under the impression that when Chris visited LaSpaziale a couple of years ago, they told him they didn't recommend backflushing. Their recommended cleaning is documented on the S1 Website FAQ page. After that he stopped shipping the S1 with the BF disk. BTW: the one he shipped is made to fit in the single PF basket only.
Laspaziale claims that the double screens keep all the grounds from getting up into the mechanism and that the coffee oils that get up there are needed for lubrication. However, most of us still backflush - maybe just less often and using less Cafiza powder.
You can always make your own temporary backflush disk by cutting a circle out of an old rubber glove or inner tube. You may want to search this forum. It has been a long time but I think a few that made their own, posted what they did around here somewhere.
My main cleaning method is to forward flush. Immediatley after I'm done pulling a set of shots, I run a double shot of hot water through the head with the PF off. After the water runs clear, for the remaining shot time I scrub the screen and gasket area with this "coffeetool" brush I bought from Chris:
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/hom ... coffeetool
The opposite end of this tool has a small scoop just large enough to measure the Cafiza when you do decide to backflush.
Laspaziale claims that the double screens keep all the grounds from getting up into the mechanism and that the coffee oils that get up there are needed for lubrication. However, most of us still backflush - maybe just less often and using less Cafiza powder.
You can always make your own temporary backflush disk by cutting a circle out of an old rubber glove or inner tube. You may want to search this forum. It has been a long time but I think a few that made their own, posted what they did around here somewhere.
My main cleaning method is to forward flush. Immediatley after I'm done pulling a set of shots, I run a double shot of hot water through the head with the PF off. After the water runs clear, for the remaining shot time I scrub the screen and gasket area with this "coffeetool" brush I bought from Chris:
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/hom ... coffeetool
The opposite end of this tool has a small scoop just large enough to measure the Cafiza when you do decide to backflush.
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hlsheppard
I received my S1 last September (just before Labor Day) and it had the disk.
I KNOW I tend to be "conservative" with things like this; however I do all of the above (meaning previous post):
I backflush with the screens removed (soaking in Cafiza) using a small amount of Cafiza. I also do the "portafilter wiggle" after each shot as well as use the tool that Chas mentioned above.
I'm a crema freak and for this purpose I consider cleanliness just about as important as freshness of the beans.
For all I know - maybe that's why I went through my first grouphead gasket so soon!
I KNOW I tend to be "conservative" with things like this; however I do all of the above (meaning previous post):
I backflush with the screens removed (soaking in Cafiza) using a small amount of Cafiza. I also do the "portafilter wiggle" after each shot as well as use the tool that Chas mentioned above.
I'm a crema freak and for this purpose I consider cleanliness just about as important as freshness of the beans.
For all I know - maybe that's why I went through my first grouphead gasket so soon!
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Barry
My S1 came from Chris WITHOUT a backflush disc. I purchased a brass cap from home depot that I use when I need to backflush. This has been my observation over the last two years:
1. Like Chas, I forward flush EVERY TIME I use the machine. After pulling shots, I remove and clean the screen and diffuser, and run about 6 ounces of water through the group head.
2. Every Sunday I backflush without any detergent. I am actually using the pressure gauge I created (refer to the thread in Tips and Tricks) to do the backflushing since it seems to work better than the brass cap. It appears that the machine backflushes better when all the air is out of the system.
3. About every 8 months I use a small amount of Cafiza. The water that comes out is rather disgusting. While using the technique described above prevents any taste problems, it does not appear to completly prevent the need to use Cafiza once or twice a year to flush out the oil and residue that builds up.
Regards,
Barry
1. Like Chas, I forward flush EVERY TIME I use the machine. After pulling shots, I remove and clean the screen and diffuser, and run about 6 ounces of water through the group head.
2. Every Sunday I backflush without any detergent. I am actually using the pressure gauge I created (refer to the thread in Tips and Tricks) to do the backflushing since it seems to work better than the brass cap. It appears that the machine backflushes better when all the air is out of the system.
3. About every 8 months I use a small amount of Cafiza. The water that comes out is rather disgusting. While using the technique described above prevents any taste problems, it does not appear to completly prevent the need to use Cafiza once or twice a year to flush out the oil and residue that builds up.
Regards,
Barry
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Shutterman
Just for the record...my new S1 arrived about two weeks ago from Chris Coffee and it did come with the black rubber back-flushing disk. I haven't used it as yet mainly because of the manufacturer's recommendation that it's not necessary on a regular basis, and also because of the reports of others who don't use it regularly.
So far, my quickly-becoming-established routine is also to do a forward flush after each shot and use the coffee tool that has been mentioned. (I was using a bar towel to wipe the screens off, but my wife quickly put a stop to that as I was going through towels too quickly!) Once I think I'm through for a session, I'll drop the screens and diffuser out onto my towel (remember...they're hot!) and deposit them into the sink for a quick wash. I'll also run a flush or two through the group head with the screen/diffuser assembly out just for good measure.
I had a long Independence Day weekend to play with my new S1, and so far I am amazed at how quickly I've adapted to this easy clean-up routine. However as pleased as I am in this, it pales in comparison as to how utterly thrilled I am at being able to already pull some half-way decent shots.
I previously only owned a super automatic and was therefore prepared for a long learning curve when I decided to purchase the S1. While I still have a very long way to go in developing even the most basic of barista skills, it's quickly become apparent that the S1 is going to make it quite a pleasant journey in getting there.
-Dean
So far, my quickly-becoming-established routine is also to do a forward flush after each shot and use the coffee tool that has been mentioned. (I was using a bar towel to wipe the screens off, but my wife quickly put a stop to that as I was going through towels too quickly!) Once I think I'm through for a session, I'll drop the screens and diffuser out onto my towel (remember...they're hot!) and deposit them into the sink for a quick wash. I'll also run a flush or two through the group head with the screen/diffuser assembly out just for good measure.
I had a long Independence Day weekend to play with my new S1, and so far I am amazed at how quickly I've adapted to this easy clean-up routine. However as pleased as I am in this, it pales in comparison as to how utterly thrilled I am at being able to already pull some half-way decent shots.
I previously only owned a super automatic and was therefore prepared for a long learning curve when I decided to purchase the S1. While I still have a very long way to go in developing even the most basic of barista skills, it's quickly become apparent that the S1 is going to make it quite a pleasant journey in getting there.
-Dean