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SLAYER STEAM X USER MANUAL
Water Treatment Requirements
Improper water treatment is the most frequent cause of espresso machine damage.
Water is complex and varies significantly between regions, so take great care to
test the water quality at your location and adjust as necessary. Employ professional
help to evaluate your water and administer treatments.
When evaluating water quality, the two most important factors to consider are
calcium carbonate and chloride:
Calcium Carbonate: a dissolved mineral that determines the “hardness” or
“softness” of water. The desirable range of hardness is 4-5 grains. Over time,
calcium carbonate accumulates as a hard substance, called “scale”, and will inhibit
the flow of water. Machines subjected to “harder” water (greater than 5 grains) will
accumulate scale faster and require maintenance earlier.
Chloride: chlorine combined with an electron from a negatively charged ion. There
are many types of chlorides, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride,
sodium chloride, etc. Chlorides produce salts that impart a strong taste, which
alters the flavor of the espresso. Chlorides also encourage pitting corrosion, which
causes damage to the machine.
Your water filtration company will create a treatment plan based on your water
needs. Choose a filtration company that has solutions for addressing issues related
to both calcium carbonate and chloride.
Common treatment options include carbon filtration, ion exchange, and reverse
osmosis:
Carbon Filtration: a process by which water passes through the granular activated
carbon, which attracts and retains many chemicals in the water that have an
unpleasant color, taste or odor. Carbon filtration is necessary for all machines. For
water with 4-5 grains of hardness, carbon filtration is likely the only necessary water
treatment.
Ion Exchange: a process by which water passes through an ion exchange
system, where undesirable mineral components are retained and more desirable
substances such as sodium are released. An ion exchange system should be used
in combination with a carbon filtration system and is especially beneficial for water
in the range of 6-9 grains of hardness. This system is relatively inexpensive and
effective in removing inorganic substances. It does not, however, remove organic
substances, such as bacteria.
Reverse Osmosis with Blend-Back Valve (or Remineralized RO): a process by
which water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane with selective pore
sizes at high pressure, then blended with the appropriate amount of desired
minerals. Reverse osmosis may be a good solution for water in the range of 6-9
grains of hardness and is mandatory for water above 9 grains. When blending
minerals with the filtered water, target a TDS (total dissolved solids) value of of
75-125 ppm. Experiment with various TDS levels to determine what produces your
preferred taste.
All Slayer espresso machines need to be connected to a carbon water filter to
remove chlorine, sediments, odor, and undesirable tastes. This requirement is in
addition to any other necessary water filtration systems.
Filtration requirements may vary seasonally. Water should be tested during each
season to determine the best filtration plan. Once a filtration method has been
selected, take note of the filter’s peak capabilities. Contact the equipment vendor
to inquire about the life expectancy of the filters, then schedule replacement and
reinstallation accordingly.
IMPORTANT: Every time a new water filter is installed, thoroughly rinse the filter before
attaching it to your machine or pump. Run water from the supply line through the filter
and down a drain for at least 2 minutes. Skipping this step will cause damage to your
machine. Damage to or failure of your machine due to inadequately treated water is not
covered under warranty.
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