Thanks so much for the nice video. I was hoping if you could explain why you had to remove the expansion valve - you said that it was where all the water from the coffee boiler was going to drain off, but at 3:34 all the water from the brew boiler drained from the ball valve tap.
This video does a great job showing “how” to drain the boilers, but not the “why”. Is this ever needed for routine maintenance or is it done for boiler and component replacement only.
Hello Jon, these videos are intended to serve as a purely technical reference that we can send to customers when the information is required. That said, draining your boiler is not part of routine maintenance. It can be helpful when transporting the machine, storing it (when sub-freezing temperatures are a concern), and when performing repairs on the boilers themselves.
Thanks! I really appreciate these videos. They’re nicely done and make the job crystal clear. For future videos, please consider adding a quick statement about the possible reasons for the procedure as it’s good to provide context.
@@clivecoffee I was reading the Mini manual and it said that draining Boilers IS a part of maintenance to prevent mineral buildup. Can you please explain why you said it was not part of maintenance? Am I miss understandng?
@@dman7776 La Marzocco's manuals are based around really strenuous use. If you check that section of the manual they even say "moderate to average use (20-300) cups per day." For a home barista, 20 shots is a pretty big day! For this reason, you may often see our recommendations differ from those of the manufacturer, who is generally speaking to cafes. With (relatively) modest use, draining the boilers will do little to extend to the life of the machine or prevent scale and isn't worth the hassle for most users in our eyes.
Clive Coffee hi guys... How many months of no use - if left in a non freeing house - would you drain the boilers? (I'm assume some type of mold or stagnant water could be an issue after xx time?)
That s a lot of work , Breville Dual boiler has 2 screws you simply unscrew to drain the boilers . You recommend draining the boilers for what period of time that the machine is unused ?
It's actually not that difficult! You can totally do it no problem. We recommend draining the boilers if the machine remains unsued for about 1 month or longer or if you're traveling with the machine where there is cold weather.
Hi, I am moving houses (less than a mile) - would you recommend draining the boilers for this kind of short move or is that more for longer distance hauling/transportation? Many thanks!
The Linea Mini will automatically fill its steam boiler when you start it up. If you're using it with the built-in reservoir you'll also want to run the group head until you see water begin coming out. If you're using it direct plumbed, both boilers will automatically fill thanks to line pressure.
We don't recommend descaling your Linea unless you absolutely have to. Descaling can cause the machine a lot of harm and result in debris clogging various pieces of plumbing. If you use properly softened water a machine can go a lifetime without needing to be descaled. Is there a reason you want to descale your machine? - Charles
Can you just bring the machine up to temp and then turn it off and then open the hot water spout and drain the steam boiler instead?. And after that fill the water reservoir and turn the machine in so the steam boiler can fill back up?. TIA!
The machine must be hot and steam boiler fully up to pressure to proceed. Remove metal grate on drain tray or use a 2 liter container to collect draining water. (This will help prevent splashing. Make sure the drain box is empty before you start.) Turn off the machine at the main switch. Open hot water/tea spout and let all the water drain out. Turn off hot water/tea spout. Confirm your reservoir is full, and then turn the machine back on. The machine will automatically refill the boiler with fresh water.
The machine must be hot and steam boiler fully up to pressure to proceed. Remove metal grate on drain tray or use a 2 liter container to collect draining water. (This will help prevent splashing. Make sure the drain box is empty before you start.) Turn off the machine at the main switch. Open hot water/tea spout and let all the water drain out. Turn off hot water/tea spout. Confirm your reservoir is full, and then turn the machine back on. The machine will automatically refill the boiler with fresh water.@@TheCoffeeField
Thanks so much for the nice video. I was hoping if you could explain why you had to remove the expansion valve - you said that it was where all the water from the coffee boiler was going to drain off, but at 3:34 all the water from the brew boiler drained from the ball valve tap.
Very informative, clear and to the point. 👌
Marvellous. Thank you.
This video does a great job showing “how” to drain the boilers, but not the “why”. Is this ever needed for routine maintenance or is it done for boiler and component replacement only.
Hello Jon, these videos are intended to serve as a purely technical reference that we can send to customers when the information is required. That said, draining your boiler is not part of routine maintenance. It can be helpful when transporting the machine, storing it (when sub-freezing temperatures are a concern), and when performing repairs on the boilers themselves.
Thanks! I really appreciate these videos. They’re nicely done and make the job crystal clear. For future videos, please consider adding a quick statement about the possible reasons for the procedure as it’s good to provide context.
@@clivecoffee I was reading the Mini manual and it said that draining Boilers IS a part of maintenance to prevent mineral buildup.
Can you please explain why you said it was not part of maintenance? Am I miss understandng?
@@dman7776 La Marzocco's manuals are based around really strenuous use. If you check that section of the manual they even say "moderate to average use (20-300) cups per day." For a home barista, 20 shots is a pretty big day! For this reason, you may often see our recommendations differ from those of the manufacturer, who is generally speaking to cafes. With (relatively) modest use, draining the boilers will do little to extend to the life of the machine or prevent scale and isn't worth the hassle for most users in our eyes.
Clive Coffee hi guys... How many months of no use - if left in a non freeing house - would you drain the boilers? (I'm assume some type of mold or stagnant water could be an issue after xx time?)
That s a lot of work , Breville Dual boiler has 2 screws you simply unscrew to drain the boilers .
You recommend draining the boilers for what period of time that the machine is unused ?
It's actually not that difficult! You can totally do it no problem. We recommend draining the boilers if the machine remains unsued for about 1 month or longer or if you're traveling with the machine where there is cold weather.
What’s the tubing size? Excellent video by the way! Thank you
Hi - could you confirm what ID / OD tubing is required please?
Clive Coffee, I have the same question. Can you share the specs, please?
Also very interested in the tubing ;)
Hi, I am moving houses (less than a mile) - would you recommend draining the boilers for this kind of short move or is that more for longer distance hauling/transportation? Many thanks!
Only recommend that if it's going to be moving long distances, in cold weather, or if it's going to be out of commission for 3 weeks or longer.
@@clivecoffee many thanks!
Do you need to drain the boilers if plumbing it in?
@@VictoriaCalamusa no you do not!
Thanks for this. When it is time to refill does the machine do this automatically?
The Linea Mini will automatically fill its steam boiler when you start it up. If you're using it with the built-in reservoir you'll also want to run the group head until you see water begin coming out. If you're using it direct plumbed, both boilers will automatically fill thanks to line pressure.
There is no way to just open the valve under neath instead of taking the whole shell off?
Would this be the 1st step to start a de-scaling? Or would you not recommend to de-scale the mini at home/yourself?
We don't recommend descaling your Linea unless you absolutely have to. Descaling can cause the machine a lot of harm and result in debris clogging various pieces of plumbing. If you use properly softened water a machine can go a lifetime without needing to be descaled.
Is there a reason you want to descale your machine?
- Charles
@@clivecoffee will using Third Wave Water (espresso profile) cause heavy scale build up?
Odd.. my LM doesn't have ball valve plugs.. is this normal?
Could be that you have a newer version. This video needs to be updated.
Can you just bring the machine up to temp and then turn it off and then open the hot water spout and drain the steam boiler instead?. And after that fill the water reservoir and turn the machine in so the steam boiler can fill back up?. TIA!
I have the same question.
The machine must be hot and steam boiler fully up to pressure to proceed.
Remove metal grate on drain tray or use a 2 liter container to collect draining water. (This will help prevent splashing. Make sure the drain box is empty before you start.)
Turn off the machine at the main switch.
Open hot water/tea spout and let all the water drain out.
Turn off hot water/tea spout.
Confirm your reservoir is full, and then turn the machine back on. The machine will automatically refill the boiler with fresh water.
The machine must be hot and steam boiler fully up to pressure to proceed.
Remove metal grate on drain tray or use a 2 liter container to collect draining water. (This will help prevent splashing. Make sure the drain box is empty before you start.)
Turn off the machine at the main switch.
Open hot water/tea spout and let all the water drain out.
Turn off hot water/tea spout.
Confirm your reservoir is full, and then turn the machine back on. The machine will automatically refill the boiler with fresh water.@@TheCoffeeField