Group Head Shower Sieve

Backwash - after every 1 kg coffee (140 cups) do a backwash with coffee solvent

1. Remove the filter sieve from the filter holder and insert in its place the blind cup ie the filter cup without holes - or place the black rubber blind in the filter cup to cover the holes in the sieve.
    

2. Put ¹/₂ teaspoon solvent into the blind cup / filter holder that is now housed in the holder and lock it into position on the group head.
    

3. Flushing - press the manual dispenser switch for 5 seconds to release water from the group head into the blind holder containing the solvent. The solvent laden water now passes into the working parts of the group head.
    

4. Wait for 15 seconds for the solvent to do its job ie foaming and cleaning. Then remove the filter holder from the group head and position and lock it onto the next group head that needs cleaning. Repeat the flushing process above (3).
    

5. Wait for 15 seconds, then remove the filter holder and lock it onto the original group head. Press the manual dispenser switch for 2 seconds. Wait 15 seconds and position and lock it onto the next group head.
    

6. Repeat the 'Flushing' process for each group head on a 2 second cycle, until the solvent is used up and water only remains in the filter holder, waiting 15 seconds between each flushing cycle.
    

7. Remove blind cup / rubber blind from filter holder, rinse and store.
   
    

Wash out  - rinse detergent from machine after cleaning:

1. With filter holder attached to group head, press manual dispenser switch for 3 seconds, so that water discharges straight into the waste tray.
    

2. Repeat 3 times for each group head to remove any residue of the solvent.

 

Washing Filter Holders - at the end of each shift

1. Once a day, remove the filter cup (sieve) from the filter holder and wipe off any coffee residue from the sieve and filter holder with the damp cloth. Remove the filter sieve from the filter holder,  using a teaspoon as a lever.
    

2. Rinse and wipe clean in cold water.
    

3. If the holder is heavily soiled ie black deposit of coffee oils, place the filter holder in frothing jug.
    

4. Fill enough hot water in frothing jug to cover the metal end of the filter holder.
    

5. Add ¹/₂ teaspoon solvent and dissolve into the hot water by twisting the filter holder back and forth.
    

6. Leave to stand overnight or for at least 1 hour. If the filter sieve needs cleaning in solvent, then leave it to soak with the filter holder.
    

7. Remove the filter holder from the cleaning solution and wipe clean with the damp cloth.
    

8. Wipe the filter sieve clean and insert it into the filter holder.
    

9. Repeat the process for each filter holder.

 

Regeneration of your Softener - depending on the hardness of your water and the volume of water which has passed through the resin in the softener. Approximate time = 30 to 45 minutes.

NB If your water has a high chlorine or chemical content, it's advisable to install a suitable filter after the pressure regulating valve and before the water softener.

1. Determine the hardness of your water, to indicate the regularity required to regenerate your softener. Either ask your municipality or purchase a water testing kit (from any aquarium or swimming pool supplies outlet). Normal hardness = 4^o to 9^oFr (definitely not more than 15^oFr), regenerate every 2 to 3 weeks. The harder the water the more often you need to regenerate your softener.
    

2. Quantity of salt required depends on the size of your softener. The guidelines to follow are ...

•   8 litres = 500 gms

• 12 litres = 1 kg

    3.   When regenerating the Water Softener, switch the machine
           off  and do not dispense any coffee or hot water or steam from
           this machine, so as to prevent any salt getting into the boiler.

    4.   Close the water supply tap (just before the flexible hose).

    5.   Attached to the top tap of the softener is a short open plastic tube.
          Holding the end of this tube over a bucket, turn this top tap on the
          softener 180^o. This vents the pressure in the softener to release water
          (about 500ml from the softener to be able to replace this water with the
           salt).

    6.   Loosen the knob at the top of the softener and remove the bridge piece
          to remove the lid.

    7.   Pour in the salt. If there's not enough room for the salt, open the bottom
          tap by turning it 180^o to release more water.

    8.   Open the bottom tap of the softener 180^o to the drain position. Position
           the plastic drain pipe into the drain or a bucket.

   9.    Turn the top tap back to its original position ie 180^o to allow water to re-
          enter the softener, open the water supply tap (before the flexible hose).
           Keep watching the water level rising in the softener.

  10.    When the water level reaches the brim of the softener, wipe off any
           scum that may have floated up and close the water supply tap, then
           replace the lid complete with the bridge piece.

  11.   Ensuring the bottom tap is open to the drain position and the top
           tap is open for the supply position, slowly open the water supply tap to
           the softener.

  12.   There will be a small overflow of water from the bottom tap's plastic
           tube. This salt will be drained out of the softener as waste to the drain
           or bucket. This should be a slow trickle ie 250ml per minute and not
           apparent water under pressure . If the water comes out fast, close the
           water supply tap to regulate the flow to 250ml per minute.

  13.    After three minutes, taste the water to ensure the salt is starting to go
            through the softener. Keep sampling the water coming from this waste
            tube at 5 minute intervals, until the water is clear of salt.

  14.    When there's no more salt taste, turn the bottom tap 180^o back to its
           original position. This allows the water to travel to the machine again.

  15.    Both taps should be pointing parallel to the flexible metal hoses. ie
            water being fed into the softener and out of the softener to the
            machine.

  16.    Ensure the water supply tap is fully open and switch the
           machine on again.

  17.    Check that the water pressure gauge reads between 2 and 4 Bars
            ie its normal operating position and that the water level in the water
            level sight glass is at the normal level.

  18.    Press the group head operating button, causing the pump to deliver
           water and read the pressure on the gauge which should be between 7
           to 9 Bars.

  19.    Listen to the pump operation to ensure sound is normal ie not running
           noisily. If running noisily, check the water supply tap is fully open.

Softener models with a single valve make regeneration simpler but still require the manual addition of salt.

• Position 1 = normal running for the machine

• Position 2 = release of pressure from the softener and draining of water to lower water level, allowing salt to be added.

• Position 3 = regeneration, with the softener lid replaced and closed the salty water running to waste.

• Position 4 = backwash where 5 litres of water under pressure is passed through the softener to the drain.

• Back to Position 1 for normal operation.