Osmio Zero - square box filter or blank for espresso machine

pandabear

Just invested in an Osmio Zero and wondered if people who use it/know of it would recommend to use the blank filter or the provided magnesium and calcium beads filter block?

Additionally should I be adding 0.1g/l of bicarbonate of soda or is this not entirely necessary?

I’m trying to prevent having to descale my MaraX in the future. I’ve descaled it once after 12 months of using Ashbeck cut with Highland Spring (3:1) and have used that same combo for 9 months since. Wondering if I could get away with not descaling now I’m swapping to Osmio or if I should do a last descale and start from here.

Many thanks!

MattH

I believe use as is - thats what I intend to do once I buy a machine.

Hotmetal

Dave is the man to ask but I have been using a Zero with the remineralisation filter so as to have enough minerals to get a sweet extraction without having to mess about with bicarb. That’s what the remin filter is intended for, because pure RO water is too soft and doesn’t make nice coffee. With the remin block in situ the water will be still soft enough to be safe in your machine and not need you to wear a white lab coat whilst making coffee.