8
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.
incoming water should have no more than 30ppm chloride content.
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 eective in removing inorganic
substances. It does not, however, remove organic substances, such as
bacteria.
Reverse Osmosis with a Blend-Back Valve (or Remineralized RO): a
process by which water is forced through a semipermeable 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.
Replacement of filtration is based on volume and varying levels of
hardness. Contact the filtration provider or vendor to inquire about the
life expectancy of the filters, then schedule replacement and installation
accordingly.
IMPORTANT: Damage to or failure of your amchine due to inadequately
treaed waster is not covered under warranty. 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, fully washing the filter and the
residue or loose fibers in the filter cartridge. Skipping this step will cause
damage to your machine.
SLAYER STEAM X USER MANUAL V1.1 | SEPTEMBER 2019
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