Metal particles in water after descale

dimoutsa

Hey all,

As per the title, after a descale of both service and brew boilers in my one year old minima, I see tiny silver metal particles in the water coming out of the brew boiler.

Method used for the brew boiler was the easy method as described in the user manual, ie descaling solution in the tank, run it through the brew boiler until it comes through the group, leave it to do it’s thing and then flush.

Any ideas?

Thanks

DavecUK

dimoutsa Method used for the brew boiler was the easy method as described in the user manual, ie descaling solution in the tank, run it through the brew boiler until it comes through the group, leave it to do it’s thing and then flush.

Any ideas?

Methods right, if you have a newer Minima made in the last 18 months I think, you will have drain taps accessible from a little hatch left of centre underneath.

The little shiny bits are from the chroming inside the group, happens to all machines with E61 style groups. Don’t worry about it, it will clear up and none gets through the coffee, into the cup.

dimoutsa

DavecUK Methods right, if you have a newer Minima made in the last 18 months I think, you will have drain taps accessible from a little hatch left of centre underneath.

The little shiny bits are from the chroming inside the group, happens to all machines with E61 style groups. Don’t worry about it, it will clear up and none gets through the coffee, into the cup.

Thanks for the prompt reply Dave really appreciate it. I bought directly from ACS about this time last year but not too sure when it was actually built to be honest. From the looks of it, it’s not one with drain taps unfortunately.

Had a feeling it has to do with the chrome plating but wasn’t sure that was a normal thing. Thanks for verifying.

DavecUK

dimoutsa I am sure last year they were doing them with taps. at least I think so?

giampiero

Normally, during a descaling process the only part that could "release “chromed flakes” is the mushroom.

ballblo

I swapped to a stainless steel mushroom several years ago still some chrome plating flakes lands up in the drip tray so I think there is more than one source.

DavecUK

ballblo I think there is more than one source.

There is, the rest of the group itself. If the group was entirely stainless, it wouldn’t happen, but then it wouldn’t work properly and be extremely difficult to manufacture.

Adrianmsmith

How bad was it. Do you have any pictures, can you beat these 😎😜

giampiero

Adrianmsmith Yours looks more like not dissolved grains of some descaling products.

dimoutsa

Adrianmsmith well it wasn’t thaaaat bad, but when I removed the mushroom to check it, it’s pretty much stripped bare. Odd thing is that this was my first descaling of the machine, and I didn’t really leave it for too long. Don’t really get what’s the point of chroming the mushroom to begin with? I suppose for the rest of the group it gets chromed as a whole piece so it’s inevitable I suppose.

Adrianmsmith

giampiero

No it was definately chrome flakes. Lots of them….. lots !! I can only assume it had descaler left in it. But it cleaned up well and there were no issues.

As you can see the whole mushroom area was stripped!!

Was assured when Dave pointed out the boilers etc were stainless so i knew it was only what i could see , basically. Happy ever after!!

Not sure what descaler was used😎

Adrianmsmith

dimoutsa

Not aimed at you, just a general comment:

I think descaling too regularly, unnecessarily or with the wrong / wrong strength chemicals is done far too often by people in general without any evidence that descaling is even necessary.

Statement is from reading many comments about issues after “descaling” over the years, mainly on Facebook!!

I am not saying it is never necessary either in some instances 😎