Storing my Bianca for 3 months - advice

Alex_L

We’re moving out for three months for house renovations and so I’ll be without my Lelit bianca. My current plan is to empty and clean water tank and drip tray. But I wasn’t sure whether to drain the boilers down partly as I wasn’t sure how I’d do that for the brew boiler. Steam Boiler I would get up to temp, turn off and then empty using the tap but wasn’t sure if easier / safer to do that when I recommission it alongside flushing the brew boiler

Any other advice?

I was also planning to drive it up to BellaBarista for a full service - anyone got recent experience of how much they charge?

DavecUK

The boilers have drain taps. or I am pretty sure they do. For 3 months though, you are probably fine to not drain and flush lots as if it’s a new machine when you return.

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK The boilers have drain taps. or I am pretty sure they do

Are you sure? I don’t have a Bianca myself so I can’t check.

I tried googling and find no evidence of it. Even this video from Lelit insider, where Mauro himself is showing how to drain the boilers… and doesn’t mention any drain valves.

Alex_L

Thanks. That’s really helpful. I’ll probably go for flush with fresh water approach as I’ve found the insides very tight when I’ve had to change the vacuum valves so not sure I fancy trying to find drain taps.

MediumRoastSteam

Alex_L - if there are drain valves, they will be rather obvious, at the bottom of the machine.

Alex_L

MediumRoastSteam

I’ll take a look. I’m not the most mechanically minded (3 hours to change the anti-vac valves…..)

delta76

With a sealed boiler heated to 120 or more all bacteria will be killed (except some nasty ones that should not be a problem with drinking water). There is no way to drain the boiler without some major operations, so I agree with Dave that just leave them be. Once you set it up again fill the water tank, turn it on, let it heated up and and drain all water from brew boiler. Turn it off and fill the water tank and drain all water from steam boiler. Repeat a few times and you are all good