Exo:
My vision is severely limited to the point of being legally blind yet still retaining a bit of residual vision but not enough for me to trust myself to attempt a cleaning method as you do. This is the reason I am giving information regarding the Cafiza cleaner made specifically for high-end espresso machines and used in the Miss Silvia I own so the brass boiler and brass pipes don't have clogs or anything. So, there goes the information regarding the Silvia along with what and how the Cafiza cleans specific parts of the machine. I've simply dropped my atty into a coffee cup with Cafiza dissolved and mixed into warm to hot water. I am not sure how long to soak it since the back of the bottle says 30 minutes for various parts like filters, spoons, metal filters, tampers, any discolored coffee cups, etc...
I hope to get your opinion on this as I was discussion this with another poster a few days ago when we happened upon the knowledge that both of us owned a Silvia espresso machine with matching Rocky burr grinder produced by Rancillio. This espresso machine is a residential masterpiece because of the manner in which it's built. It is quite literally a small version of Rancillio's industrial machines only it has the one grouphead vs 2 to 4 groupheads on the industrial machines. It has a 67oz water reservoir and doesn't require plumbing into the water and drainage lines of one's home unlike the industrial versions; however, it does have a brass boiler that holds 12oz of water to heat to steaming temperature to help with the creation of what all espresso coffee aficionados refer to as the "god shot." It requires more than a clean machine and near-perfect water but you should get the jist of where I'm heading with this.
The parts such as spare porta-filters, a naked portafilter (porta-filter w/ the bottom section cut off at a specific depth to allow for a triple shot pull of espresso and allows one to view the espresso as it's pulled to ensure the user is tamping at 30lbs of pressure, grinding at the correct setting for said beans, using fresh roasted coffee beans no more than 14 days old, never refrigerated, never kept in lighted areas, and stored in a completely air-tight container- preferably one that can be de-aired to preserve the freshness of the beans. Generally, I roast my own beans versus buying them pre-roasted.
All the parts listed above including the steaming pitcher can be soaked in Cafiza. When cleaning the machine itself, it requires one to use the blank filter placed into the grouphead for a blackflush/backwash of the grouphead itself, which is chome-plated brass. Mix Cafiza according to directions then add to the reservoir until the machine heats up and the light clicks off. Pull the water as if pulling a shot of espresso except the water should go into one of the steaming pitchers or a heat-safe container. It also requires that one run the water solution
through the steaming wand to ensure the wand is clean from the inside out since the steam that comes through the wand is waht makes the micro-foam that is naturally sweet without the need for adding sweeteners and it literally clings to the side of the cup. If steamed milk properly, one can create foam art. Personally, I can make a tree, an apple, and what appears to look like an @ symbol but only if the milk foams really really well in the 1.5 seconds of steam.
After running the Cafiza through the Silvia, it is necessary to run at least 2 67ozs of water through the machine to ensure all the Cafiza is out of the machine from the 12-oz brass boiler through all the brass piping, into the grouphead/porta-filter and the steam wand before ending up in the steaming pitcher until it needs emptying and then finishing the rinse.
If the Cafiza can remove mineral deposits within and outside of the Silvia, it stands to reason that it should remove any buildup on the atomizers if soaked. What do you think? Any ideas, suggestions, thoughts??
Janty replaced my first atty when it stopped up and now the replaced one is clogged again.. I thought I'd give the Cafiza a try to see if soaking it will work to clean out the 2nd atty from Janty. If you have any suggestions or additions that may help, I would appreciate it. I am currently planning to rinse the atty out really well then let any excess water from rinsing out the Cafiza will make a difference in the performance of the atty. I've only had this one a little more than a week. I've been
vaping practically every day since July 7th, 2009; however, I have only been completely free of analog cigarettes for the last 5 days with today starting my 6th day.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or additional thoughts.