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Tech Tip: Backflush Flashback
Posted on November 19th, 2008 9 commentsIf you have a semi-automatic espresso machine with a 3-way pressure release, or solenoid, valve, you need to backflush it on a regular basis to keep the machine in fine working order. Backflushing will clean up behind the screen and into the brewing system, cleaning out coffee or grounds residue and reducing the potential for clogs.
You can watch Dane as he cleans a Rocket Giotto, or follow these steps:
- Replace brew basket with a blind basket in the portafilter (or you can use this universal insert in your existing basket)
- Place 1/2 teaspoon of a backflush detergent such as Cafiza or Joe Glo (Important: make sure it indicates backflushing as its primary use on the label — do not use Dezcal or any other standard detergent here!)
- Insert the portafilter into the brew group and initiate a shot
- Allow the pump to run about 4 – 5 seconds maximum
- Turn the pump off and allow the water and suds to release through the valve
- Repeat this process until the water coming out of the valve is clear and suds-free
- Remove the portafilter, rinse it in cool water to cool it down and then switch out the baskets again
- Before you pull your first shot, run a blank shot through the system to make sure there is no residue leftover
Articles, Grimac Royal Falcon, Pasquini, Q&A, Quick Mill, Rancilio, Rocket, Semi-Automatic, Tips - Tech espresso machines, how-to, maintenance, Quick Mill, rancilio silvia, Rocket, rocket giotto, Semi-Automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine9 responses to “Tech Tip: Backflush Flashback”
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I’ve had my Isomac Venus for 2 years and I was never advised to back flush – what does this mean ? I don’t think it’s as nice as the Giotto (3 way pressure, etc), but do I still need to back flus ? And if so, how can I get a blind basket ? I live in Vienna, Austria.
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I believe your model does have the 3-way solenoid/brew pressure release valve, in which case, backflushing would improve your shot quality. I would poke around for someone who sells espresso supplies — many commercial machines need to be backflushed, so you should be able to find the blind basket by looking for a commercial espresso supplier in your area. Alternately, the ‘universal fit’ backflush insert would be an easy thing to make, if you’re feeling handy. It’s basically just a rubber disc that you put into your existing portafilter, effectively blocking all the holes in the filter basket and then allowing for the backflushing to occur. You could probably make one of these pretty easily with some food-friendly plastic or rubber.
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Loris July 7th, 2009 at 08:45
Hi Kat!
Your videos are great! I live in Bologna (Italy) and I have an E61 too (an Isomac Zaffiro).I saw your “how to backflush a 3way valve”, but here I cannot find the detergent you stated.
What detergent (i suppose not chimical) could I get alternately to backflush my machine?Or is it possible to backflush without using a detergent?
Thank you, bye!
Loris -
Hi there!
Glad you like them — thanks for the feedback
We use Cafiza or Joe Glo, but you should be able to find a suitable detergent at any place that offers commercial machine care supplies. It is a chemical and a soapy detergent; I’d think it would be better to use the detergent to break down the coffee and oils behind the filter, but you could just do the backflushing without detergent to clear out the valve…keeping in mind that it would not fully cleanse the system.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Kat -
Loris July 8th, 2009 at 08:08
Thank you very much Kat!
Last year I went to Vancouver with my wife for holiday (Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Alberta, ALL beautiful places!); if I knew your site before, I probably come to Seattle to met you… sure, next time, I love these places
Greetings from northern Italy, where there are a LOT of coffee “bar”, but a VERY few of them serves good quality espresso!
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Yes, it’s quite beautiful up there! I really love Alberta – very stunning.
If you ever come our way again, please do stop in! Someday I hope to make it to Northern Italy so you’ll have to let me know where to stay away from when I do — can’t have bad espresso in Italy, now can I?
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Loris July 10th, 2009 at 02:26
In Bologna there is a shop named “Caffè Terzi”, who is really a purist in espresso:
therefore, the site is only in italian, hope you can understand (but the espresso is GREAT, most of all I love the Indian Parchment Kappi Royal Robusta!)
Here, a lots of coffee shop(in italian “bar”) are well equipped (most of them use the original Faema E61 Legend 3 groups, with Mazzer Jolly or Robur), but some of them produce a bad quality espresso because of the bad quality of coffee beans and the personnel not really interested in (because the owners want earn quickly too much )…
Bye!
Loris -
Kat,
I am watching the backflushing video and I have a Silvia (V3) machine and I am curious where the water will flush out of the Silvia if the portafilter is plugged. The video shows a machine with an extra valve? Do I take the portafilter out and pour the water out and then turn on again then turn off and pour the water out? up to 10 times like the Cafiza bottle says?
Jen
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Hi Jen -
You have the same valve in your Silvia, but it’s behind the metal backsplash panel. You will perform backflushing the same way as demonstrated in the video, but you will see water/suds coming out from under the backsplash. Easiest way to monitor is to just remove the drip tray cover and you’ll see it there. Let me know if you have any other questions – thanks!
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This work by Brown Bean is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Lameen June 22nd, 2009 at 09:40