Samson Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Quebec, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jun 6, 2012, 5:21pm Subject: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
Hi guys,
I just bought a Rocket Cellini and I keep reading different opinions about back flushing. The manual says I should back flush everyday. I'm assuming it is without detergent.
So what is a typical back flushing schedule (without detergent, then with detergent) for somebody who pull 3-4 shots a day?
KKBurke Senior Member Joined: 3 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jun 6, 2012, 5:44pm Subject: Re: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
That's right. There are quite a few opinions. Water backflushing on a daily basis for 3-4 shots is fine, but you might prefer every 3-4 days. As for detergent backflushing (Cafiza for example), there are concerns about the removal of lubricants in the machine caused by overuse of more aggressive cleaners. Therefore, backflushing with a detergent once every 3-4 weeks on your schedule is probably just fine, particularly if you are backflushing with water every few days, and keeping your screen wiped clean with fresh water dispensed through the grouphead. But then again, there are other opinions...
SteveJames Senior Member Joined: 5 Feb 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Wyoming Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Jun 7, 2012, 10:32pm Subject: Re: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
I also am a newer owner (3/26/12) of an Alex II HX machine and pull an avg of 2x 17g (dry) shots each morning separated by 1-2 hrs depending on what I am doing. So far, I have only used 2.2# of Black Pearl and 4# Redbird coffees. I have the machine plumbed-in with the CCS cartridge softener and carbon filter setup. Here is what I decided to do for basic grouphead and PF maintenance until determining better:
1) 1-2 plain water backflushes (BF) (0-15 sec pump on time) after straight flushing for 2-3 sec twice to remove the visible grounds left on the screen after the shot - my intent is to reduce rate of general buildup of oils/grounds by having them "bake on" as the machine idles waiting for me to pull another shot. Generally I turn off the machine after the 2nd normal shot, but occasionally I will leave it on for any drop-in's so it could idle at temp for 6-8 hrs.
2) I have cleaner BF once on 5/8/12 (after 1st 6 weeks operation) with the Full Circle Urnex and am due to clean again this weekend (targeting 4 weeks between cleaner BF. Before that first clean, I had pulled my 2 shots/day and had another extra 20 shots pulled during 2 parties. Based on what I saw com out during the cleaner BF as well as what I removed by soaking the PF and basket in the cleaner, I decided that I had waited a bit too long. So I am basically planning to cleaner BF after approx. 50-60 shots.
3) I decided on the same schedule for cleaning the Vario grinder. I realize I may need to adjust depending on the "oils/chemistry" of the next coffee I use (will probably try the Redbird Blue Jag)
Thanks for asking the question KK - you and all others feel free to critique my method since like you, I want the best results possible!
Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012, 9:49pm Subject: Re: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
I have a VBM Domobar Double. E-61. I do a plain water backflush after every session. I have gone as long as two and three months without chemical backflushing. At that time I pull the shower screen/gasket "assembly" and I have found only a light coating of coffee on teh shower head of the group and in the screen. A wipe with a towel cleans it all off easily.
I have found that backflushing with detergent cleans the lubricant out of the group (whether that be residual silicone or the coffee oils, and that has the potential for causing wear on the cam's shaft seals and the other friction parts in the group.
If you do decide that it is time to do a chemical backflush, IMO, it is best to open the group up afterwards and give it a light lube with Dow-111 on all the rubbing points. Pulling the mushroom occasionally will also allow you to appraise the need for descaling.
howiekaplan Senior Member Joined: 2 Apr 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: ECM Rocket Cellini Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Wed Jul 18, 2012, 6:36am Subject: Re: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
I've had a Cellini for almost 2 years now, and pull similar amounts of shots to you. I've followed Chris from Chris Coffee advice, and it's served me well. I backflush every other day, w/o detergent, 5 times @ 5 seconds on, with 10 seconds off. Then I backflush with caviza detergent once per month, 5 times @ 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 514 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Wed Jul 18, 2012, 7:11am Subject: Re: Backflush Schedule for Rocket Cellini Premium Plus
Interesting, does this apply to other machines? I've always known/was told to try to clean water backflush daily after use, but def to backflush once a week using Cafiza. Now wonder if I should extend that on the CC1, never though about lubricants etc being affected, course this is a different head setup then the Rocket.
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