Winter is coming -- here's sound advice on boiler draining

before shipping or storing ANY espresso machine:

Semi-Autos (Non Heat-Exchanger Machines Only)
Draining the boiler:

1. Read and understand these instructions entirely before
attempting to drain your boiler.
2. Only perform this procedure when your machine is COLD! If the
machine has been used previously on this day, please make sure the
heating elements are completely cool before continuing, or you run the
risk of being burned.
3. With the machine unplugged, please remove the portafilter
handle, drip pan, drip tray cover, water reservoir, water reservoir
cover and any other loose parts that may fall when the machine is
tipped over.
4. Lay the machine on its back.
5. With all buttons and switches in the off position, plug in the
machine.
6. Find a tall-sided container that can hold about 20oz. or more.
7. Hold the container under the steam wand and tilt it slightly
down so that the container is in a position to catch water that will
be coming out of the steam wand.
8. Turn on the power switch.
9. Activate the pump.
a. This step will differ depending on the machine that you have.
b. If there is a hot water dispensing button, turn that on.
c. Turn on whatever buttons you normally would to receive water
out of the steam wand.
10. Water should now be coming out of the steam wand and landing in
your container.
11. Run the machine until the stream of water has dissipated.
12. Now tilt the machine on its head, following the steam wand with
your tall-sided container.
13. The stream of water will most likely pick up pace again.
14. Once the water has stopped, rest the machine back down on its
back and turn off your water and main power switches. Your machine's
boiler is now drained.


Semi-Autos (Heat-Exchanger Machines Only)
Draining the boiler:

1. Read and understand these instructions entirely before
attempting to drain your boiler.
2. Caution! Machine must be heated to steam temperature to properly
drain the boiler. Machine and water are at scalding temperatures!
3. Plug the machine in and allow it to come to normal brewing
temperature/pressure.
a. If you are uncertain how to complete this step, refer to the
manufacturer’s instruction manual.
b. This step may slightly differ for each machine.
4. Find two LARGE tall-sided containers and place one under the
brew group and one under the hot water dispenser.
a. Make sure that both containers are solidly in place and will
not spill or fall when water begins to drain into them!
b. Remember, these two containers combined need to be equal to,
or greater than, the volume of your boiler.
5. Remove the top of your water reservoir.
6. Remove the water intake line from the water reservoir.
7. Engage the pump by turning on the brew button.
8. Beware of splashing hot water!! It will burn!!
9. Run the machine until water stops flowing from the brew head.
10. Turn off the brew button.
11. Turn off the main power switch.
12. Open the hot water dispensing valve.
13. Run the machine until water stops flowing from the hot water
dispensing valve.
14. Beware of splashing hot water!! It will burn!!
15. Close the hot water dispensing valve.

Your machine's boiler is now drained.

ta da!

dave
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: How To Drain and Refill Boiler
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  • Re: Draining Abbey Acclaim water
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  • Re: Tankless boiler not providing enough hot water---help!!
    ... about 15 years old---but I'm told that the water around here is pretty ... hard and that it eats up boiler. ... The heater part of the boiler has three controls as far as I can ... I'd agree with the above except that a tankless coil CAN be replaced. ...
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  • Re: Cimbali Jr. - What is the ideal boiler level? (aka the evil autofill)
    ... > autofill probe to determine the maximum fill range and go from there. ... > I hadn't thought about the boiler vs. HX water from a water quality ... > perhaps even metal content in some boiler water must be impressive. ...
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