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Technical information on this page is for experienced people. All others are advised to use at their own risk.  Storing Roasted Beans for Extended Freshness  Always use non-oily espresso beans to prevent clogging of grinder and doser.  Roasted beans are very dry and thirsty for moisture. Do not refrigerate or freeze coffee beans (Espresso beans are not seafood or dairy product).  Always store roasted coffee beans in air-tight containers. Zip lock bags are ideal for storing coffee beans. Portion the contents of an espresso bag in 4 to 6 parts (portion enough for one day's use) and place one portion in one bag by squeezing the air out and zip lock. Open one bag at a time.  Try our non-oily roast Guru's Choice Espresso or Caffe Bella 100% Arabica blend - ideal for all, semi and fully automatic home espresso machines. See details and choices available. Please Note: Cafiza, Puly Caff and CleanCaf are only for cleaning and back flushing commercial machines. CleanCaf, Cafiza, PolyCaff, Brew Rite, Brita and Aqua Prima are not descaling products and should not be used in any home espresso.  Have you descaled your machine lately? It is the single most important maintenance for all espresso machines. Order Best Descaler DSC-6.

Guru's Choice (12 oz. bag): 95% Arabica blend, medium roast, non-oily espresso beans. Buy three bags, get one free. Free shipping in the USA.	Caffe Bella (2.2 lbs. bag): 100% Arabica blend. Free shipping in the USA.	Sampler Pack: includes one 2.2 lbs. bag of Caffe Bella and two 12 oz. bags of Guru's Choice espresso beans. Free shipping in the USA.	Caffe Bella (Six 2.2 lbs. bag): 100% Arabica blend, buy six bags and get one free. Free shipping in the USA.

MOBISPRESSO - a convenient, portable, easy to use, hand-held espresso maker for everyone in every household! Reliable companion for frequent travellers.
More Information on Mobispresso

Cleaning and Maintenance of Espresso Makers

Fixing Clogged Doser in Automatic Machines  Espresso "DOs & DON'Ts"  Descaling Espresso Installation of Aqua Prima Filter

Washing Saeco Brew Group	SVM-17 Kit Assembly Instructions/Details	ORIK-28 Italia Tune Up Kit Details	Diagram - Swivel Style Frother Kits

Grinders Cleaning & Adjusting                                                        Cleaning Grinder for Vienna / Trevi / Syncrony Logic                                                              Cleaning Grinder for Magic/Royal & Syncrony Digital      Cleaning Grinder for Italia, Titanium, Vspresso Cleaning Grinder for  Charisma, Divina, Syncrony Compact       Exploded Diagram of Italia, Charisma, Vspresso, Syncrony compact, Titanium, Divina  Exploded Diagram of Grinder for Saeco   Magic/Royal/Syncrony Digital/Vienna  Saeco Portafilters                                                                                                                          Care of Saeco Pressurized Portafilters Care of Gran Crema Portafilters                Diagram of Pressurized Portafilter   Diagram of Gran Crema Portafilter  Repairs              Fixing Vienna & Trevi                                                                 Fixing Saeco Magic, Royal      Brew Drive Gear Box for  Magic/Royal    Brew Drive Gear Box for Vienna/Trevi      Vspresso with Top Cover & Rear Panel  Removed Vienna Picture Removed from Casing/Inside View Test Mode Royal (Please E-mail Request to granita@rcn.com) Test Mode Magic Deluxe (Please E-mail Request to granita@rcn.com)          DCCCLBL 4-pc. Espresso Cleaning Kit  SBS Italia, Charisma and Incanto Brew Group 12-pc.  Maintenance Kit  Steam Valve Assembly for Saeco Italia, Italia Digital, Easy, Charisma, Vspresso, Gaggia Titanium, Syncrony Compact and Divina Models (SVM17)   Vienna,Trevi, Magic and Royal Brew Group 5-pc.  Maintenance Kit (BGMK5) Vienna, Trevi, Magic and Royal Brew Group 12-pc. Maintenance Kit (BGM13DC)  Kit Includes: 6 Packs of Descaler, Coffee Cleaning Liquid (12 oz. bottle), Bent Brush for Cleaning Grinder and Corners & Tube of Lube (4 oz.) Kit Includes: Valve Plug, Housing, O-ring, Plastic Screw with O-ring, Outlet Rubber Elbow, Plastic Support, Piston Gasket, Piston Block, 1 oz. Tube of Lube, 6 Packs of Descaler & Coffee Cleaning Liquid (See Italia Brew Group Diagram)  Kit is 80% assembled; one Oetiker Clamp and two O-rings are included to complete installation   Kit Includes: Plastic Screw with O-ring, Piston Gasket, Brew Valve O-ring(See Magic Brew Group Diagram) and Food Grade Lube (1 oz.)  Kit Includes items: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17 (See Vienna Brew Group Diagram), Coffee Cleaning Liquid, Food Grade Lube (1 oz.) and 6 Packs of Descaler            Saeco Brew Groups       Removing Blocked Brew Group   Cleaning Brew Group Convert Vienna Brew Group to Magic   225802650 Exploded Diagram - Smart Brew Group    9160-067-150 Exploded Diagram - Brew Group    9160.069.150 Exploded Diagram - Brew Group   225802550 Exploded Diagram - Brew Group     9160.027.150 Exploded Diagram - Brew Group Smart Group - Incanto Sirius, Rondo & Classic. (the espresso outlet valve is a Teflon tube)   For Saeco Old Magic & Royal Line. Magic Deluxe & Comfort; Royal Prof; Coffee Bar; Exclusiv; Digital; Syncrony Digital For Saeco Redesigned Models: Magic Deluxe, Magic Comfort Plus, Royal Professional & Royal Digital For Italia, Italia Digital, Charisma, Titanium, Syncrony Compact, Compact Digital, Vspresso & Divina Deluxe For Vienna & Trevi Superautomatica, Vienna Deluxe, Vienna Digital, Trevi, Trevi Exclusive; Syncrony Logic & Villa.                            11005921 Brew Group for new gen. Primea, Talea, Odea and Gaggia Platinum Models  Washing Brew Groups Brew Group Cleaning and Maintenance   Troubleshooting        Remove Ventilate Sign for Automatic Machines  Daily/Weekly cleaning of Saeco, Gaggia, Spidem Automatic Espresso Machines Trouble Shooting Saeco/Spidem Espresso Makers Fixing Magic Deluxe Trouble Shooting Semi-Automatic Home Espresso Troubleshooting Fully Automatic Home Espresso   Troubleshooting Commercial Espresso Gaggia Perfect Crema Filter Small Business & Office Coffee Service         Best descaler 2x 6-pack 223070200 Saeco Aqua Prima water filter  Espresso machine cleaning supplies Information on Coffee & Espresso makers

Prevent clogging of grinder, brew group and doser. Use non-oily espresso beans, recommended by manufacturers for all home espresso machines. Try our non-oily roast Guru's Choice Espresso beans ($29.85 for 4 bags) or Bristot imported Italian beans - Ideal for fully automatic espresso machines. Price $19.90 per Kilo. Includes shipping in USA. About Saeco Brew Groups

Do not knock the grinds out of the portafilter. Instead use a spoon to scoop the grinds out. Knocking the portafilter to remove grinds will damage the internal parts and damage the rim of the filter cup.  Do not use metal pins to clean holes in the filter cup. It will ruin the filter cup.

"Know Your Espresso Maker"

In order to make the best Espresso and Espresso based drinks, it is  important to know the functions

and the limits of espresso maker.

Operating manual is an important document that comes with every machine. It must be saved and

should be within easy access at anytime. It helps to read, understand and apply the instructions in the

manual.

Most espresso machine malfunction due to "attention deficiency disorder". Cleaning, descaling and

preventive maintenance should be a routine and not an emergency response! Do not wait until the

machine uses flashing light or LED message "Descale".

Minimize problems with proper use of Home espresso machine.

Whether a hands-on type traditional machine or a simple push button type fully automatic espresso

maker, they all need - "cleaning, descaling and maintenance".  It takes just 15 minutes for the entire

ritual of making espresso and clean up before leaving the machine until the next day. Espresso

machines are like pets, and must be taken care of, accordingly. Here are some recommendations:

1- When operating a semi automatic machine with a filter cup holder, make the first & the last espresso

without coffee in the filter cup. The first cycle will heat up the metal parts and the last one will flush the

coffee, oils and solids remaining in the filter cup and filter cup holder clean.

2- Do not knock the portafilter to remove the used coffee grounds. Scoop the coffee from the filter cup and flush.

3- When using a fully automatic machine with pre-ground option (Saeco's Magic & Royal line, Spidem's Divina line, Gaggia's Synchrony line), make a fake espresso (without coffee) first, to warm up the hydraulic system. Make one last fake espresso to flush the hydraulic system cleaned before turning the machine off

4- Non-use for an extended period results in complete evaporation of water in the boiler and hydraulic system. This leaves enough Calcium sediment to clog the narrow valves and filters. It is recommended that machine is descaled before leaving it into extended non-use.

5- Steam the milk first. and then make espresso. It is fast and easy to return to espresso temperature, by running about 2 to 3 oz. water. This will rinse the frother/steam wand as well.

6- After steaming of milk is complete, release steam for 5 to 10 seconds , to flush the pipe & frother.

7- Empty waste collection box and rinse it every day.

8- At the end of coffee session, clean portafilter (in pump operated traditional models), or clean the brewing unit explained in the manual.  In fully automatic models, when a pre-ground option is available, the brew unit must be rinsed with a pre-ground cycle.

9- If a Pannarello frother is used, clean it before turning the machine off. Pull the sleeve out by holding the knurled nut at the top of the frother. Rinse the sleeve and wipe the nozzle before sliding the sleeve back on. (Hold the knurled nut when replacing the sleeve back on).

Periodic maintenance

Every espresso machine needs daily and periodic cleaning.  Maintenance will prevent 70% of the causes for breakdowns. For electrical/electronic problems or internal leakage of water, paid service arrangement is recommended.

1- Descale the machine every 60 days. Do not wait for the machine to remind you for descaling with a message on the display window or flashing red light. (It is like waiting for a heart attack and then start preventive steps!)

2- Clean grinder every 60 days. (every 15 days if oily espresso beans are used). Refer to the Grinder cleaning procedure included on this web site.

Read the warranty fine print. Manufacturer's warranty cover requires that owners maintain the machine as recommended in the operating manual, otherwise the warranty is void.

Maintenance of Lever operated models Europiccola and Professional Lusso, Millennium models have no pump or electronic parts. The maintenance is, therefore, reduced to cleaning the coffee filter basket, shower screen and replacing the rubber parts (gaskets and O-rings) every 8 to 12 months. A 9-piece preventive maintenance kit is available for $28.00.  The maintenance is relatively simple with the following steps: 1- Clean the coffee filter basket every day after you have finished making espresso. Make one last espresso without coffee in the filter cup, before turning the machine off. 2- Replace the rubber parts (gaskets and O-rings) every 8 to 12 months. Check out the Kits made available on our shopping cart.  3- Descale the boiler with good descaling chemical once a year. (See Cleaning Supplies page). ******************************************************* Maintenance of Traditional pump models 1- Descale the machine every two months. 2- After frothing milk, remove the sleeve from the frother. Wipe the nozzle clean and run steam for 10 seconds to clean the left over milk inside the nozzle. Flush the sleeve and slide it back on the frother nozzle. When removing or replacing the frother, hold the metal pipe to avoid dislocating the pipe from its connection to the steam valve body. 3- Every month, remove the shower screen and clean behind it. Use a group cleaning brush. Use a short stub screw driver straight up on the screw. If the screw driver is long and cannot be placed upright on the screw, the screw will get chewed up easily. Use coffee cleaning liquid, if necessary to soak the screen for 10 minutes. Install the screen and make an espresso without coffee to clean the holes. Do not use metal pins to open/clean the holes. (See cleaning supplies page). 4- Once every year, replace the group gasket and O-rings in the steam valve. ************************************************************** Maintenance of Fully automatic espresso machines 1- Daily maintenance  a- Clean the machine daily after use. It takes less than 3 minutes. b- Flush the frother with steam to remove milk left inside the steam pipe & the frother. Remove the outer sleeve of the frother. Wipe the frother nozzle. Rinse the outer sleeve and replace. When pulling to remove or pushing back on to replacing the frother sleeve, hold the steam pipe with the other hand to prevent the force going up to the steam wand joint.   c- As a routine, make one first and a last espresso, without coffee. The first fake espresso will heat up the path of espresso with hot water. The last espresso will wash out coffee grounds and oil, remaining in the hydraulic passages. The filter and filter holder will be free from rancid taste of coffee the next time machine is used. In the fully automatic machines, this can be done by using grinder by pass (pre-ground cycle) where available. e- In a pump operated manual model, empty the portafilter handle by scooping the coffee instead of knocking the handle on hard surfaces.  Once every week, use two teaspoons of Blue coffee cleaning liquid in the filter basket and make a fake espresso without coffee. It will flush traces of oils and finest coffee sediment remaining in the valves and crevices. f- In an automatic machine with pre-ground option (Saeco Magic & Royal line models; Spidem Divina Deluxe model, Gaggia Synchrony deluxe model), rinse the brew unit as described in the manual.  Additionally, develop the habit as described under (c).  First fake espresso will warm up the cold path of espresso. The last fake espresso rinses the coffee path inside of the brew unit that cannot be removed with simple rinsing. d- Empty and rinse the dredge box and drip tray. This will prevent the growth of fungus. (Fungus likes coffee and it grows faster on the left-over coffee grounds than one can imagine). 2- Weekly maintenance - Take 30 minutes every Sunday after the morning coffee for a more detailed cleaning of the espresso maker. * Wipe the bean hopper with a rag wet in blue coffee cleaning liquid. It removes the oil coating on the inside of the bean hopper. Rancid oil adds bad taste. * To refill water in the reservoir, it is a good habit to take it to the water source, dump the left over water, rinse and refill. We have replaced a number of coffee grinders because water was accidentally poured into the bean hopper! Prevent accidents. Wash the water tank every week. Replace fresh water. If you notice Calcium deposits coating the wall, remove them by filling the container with descaling solution for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse (See Cleaning supplies). * Fully automatic machines have a dredge (dump) box. Clean it every day. Fungus loves coffee grounds and grows on it, faster than weeds. Visible or invisible, fungus will grow if dredge box is not cleaned for two days or more. * Use a coffee cleaning liquid to flush the portafilter handle (Manual pump operated machines) or the brew group (Fully automatic machines).  This will remove the sediment of oils and fine coffee particles that block the filter and valves. * Clean the brew head with cleaning brush to remove coffee grounds that will stick. The oils and fine particles of coffee accumulate and clog the passage of water besides adding rancid taste.  In the fully automatic espresso machines with a decaf option, it is a good idea to run a decaf cycle without coffee before making the first espresso and after the last espresso. This is the least one can do to get fresh taste of espresso, the next day. A better way is to flush the brew group with coffee cleaning liquid. Use two teaspoonfuls in the coffee filter cup. If the automatic coffee maker does not have pre-ground option, then use the cleaning liquid and make a long espresso with coffee. Flush the cleaning liquid with two espresso cycles.  * Cleaning the grinder- To prevent accumulation of ground coffee in the grinding chamber of grinders, it is recommended that grinders are cleaned and adjusted every 2 to 4 weeks.  The conical burr-grinder of Saeco, Spidem & Gaggia automatic espresso machines, last twice as long as the flat burrs. The life of burrs is rated by the number of grinding cycles. If flat burrs need adjustment after 5000 grinding cycles, the conical need 10,000 cycles before they need adjustment. Follow the illustrated instructions to clean the Saeco grinder, included on these pages.  * Descaling: This is the most significant part of maintenance and must be carried out every two months. Water has Calcium, Magnesium and other mineral salts in it. The salts separate and get deposited when water is heated or when water dries out. If allowed to accumulate, the deposits block the passage of water. The life of the pump is reduced if it has to pump harder through narrowed blocked path of water. To clean Calcium sediment inside the machine, use proper descaling chemical. Cafiza and CleanCaf are coffee cleaning chemicals and should not be recommended or used for descaling espresso machines. The User’s manual strictly prohibits use of Vinegar. Use of Lemon juice is also not right as it has sugar in it.  No matter who has recommended it, just stop using these two items for descaling.

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