Decalcify with what?

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Steve Freides

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Feb 10, 2012, 9:00:05 AM2/10/12
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Hello, all.

We have a Gaggia Syncrony, a fully automated espresso machine of which
we are very fond. We also have reverse osmosis filtration for
drinking water and that's what we use in the machine.

Our understanding is that our water allows us to decalcify the machine
very infrequently and that's what we've done, however it seems to be
time to do it again according to the machine's display.

What does one use to do this? When we first got the machine, it came
with 'stuff' for this purpose but that's run out - we read stories
about decalcifying an espresso machine with vinegar - some say it
works, some say it damages the machine.

Any advice appreciated, and thanks very much.

-S-

scott stap

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Feb 10, 2012, 10:06:27 AM2/10/12
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With a fully automatic machine I would say to contact the manufacturer about recommended chemicals. In a commercial machine like I run, I usually run white vinegar or citric acid but there again, I usually disassemble the whole machine too...
Usually the manufacturer makes some sort of tablet you use in the machine.  http://www.coffeehomedirect.com/gaggia/21001686 

Steve Freides

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Feb 12, 2012, 4:53:37 PM2/12/12
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My wife called a local place here called Chef Central, and they said we could use something called Durgol - she bought it and ran it through the decalcification cycle and, so far, it seems fine.

We have gotten nowhere fast trying to contact Gaggia - that's part of the reason I asked here.

-S-

Ed Grimly

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Feb 13, 2012, 3:13:30 PM2/13/12
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Yeah, I did not find much on the Gaggia site either (I did not call
them),,, but that link I posted had the Gaggia brand cleaning tablets.
I would assume (assume...) that they would be safe for a Gaggia
machine... http://www.coffeehomedirect.com/gaggia/21001686

One of the "Benefits" = Perfectly clean - removes calcium deposits,
oils and other debris from your machine.

Shoot WalMart carries that Durgol as well as wholelattelove.com and it
is half the Gaggia tabs are. Sounds like a great solution!


On Feb 12, 4:53 pm, Steve Freides <steve.frei...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My wife called a local place here called Chef Central, and they said we
> could use something called Durgol - she bought it and ran it through the
> decalcification cycle and, so far, it seems fine.
>
> We have gotten nowhere fast trying to contact Gaggia - that's part of the
> reason I asked here.
>
> -S-
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 10:06 AM, scott stap <xr3...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > With a fully automatic machine I would say to contact the manufacturer
> > about recommended chemicals. In a commercial machine like I run, I usually
> > run white vinegar or citric acid but there again, I usually disassemble the
> > whole machine too...
> > Usually the manufacturer makes some sort of tablet you use in the machine.
> >  http://www.coffeehomedirect.com/gaggia/21001686
>
> > On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 9:00 AM, Steve Freides <steve.frei...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> Hello, all.
>
> >> We have a Gaggia Syncrony, a fully automated espresso machine of which
> >> we are very fond.  We also have reverse osmosis filtration for
> >> drinking water and that's what we use in the machine.
>
> >> Our understanding is that our water allows us to decalcify the machine
> >> very infrequently and that's what we've done, however it seems to be
> >> time to do it again according to the machine's display.
>
> >> What does one use to do this?  When we first got the machine, it came
> >> with 'stuff' for this purpose but that's run out - we read stories
> >> about decalcifying an espresso machine with vinegar - some say it
> >> works, some say it damages the machine.
>
> >> Any advice appreciated, and thanks very much.
>
> >> -S-
>
> > --
> > "Today is a GREAT day outside"
> > Save Money. Swap DVDs. - SwapaDVD.com<http://www.swapadvd.com/index.php?n=2&r_by=stappy>
> > Swap Books for Free - PaperBackSwap.com<http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?n=2&r_by=stappy>
> > ATV motorcycle sale MI<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATVmotorcyclesaleMI/join>

LF

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Feb 18, 2012, 6:34:32 PM2/18/12
to alt-coffee...@googlegroups.com


On Friday, February 10, 2012 9:00:05 AM UTC-5, Steve Freides wrote:
Hello, all. <snip>

Our understanding is that our water allows us to decalcify the machine
very infrequently and that's what we've done, however it seems to be
time to do it again according to the machine's display.

What does one use to do this?  ...

Why CITRIC ACID, of course, readily available in powder form from your local INDIAN/ PAKASTANI/ TURKISH market. About two teaspoons per tank should do the trick in your machine, Followed by a tank or two of your double osmosis water.

A possibly more convenient, and more expensive, source is your local STARBUCKS. They sell small packets of coffee machine descaler -- probably citric acid for the most part.

Best,
Larry
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