Backflush on a GS/3 with Paddle

[espenjor]

Do anyone know how to do a proper backflush with a GS/3 with Paddle?

In advance, thanks for any help!

-- Espen Joranger - Norway

[chasr]

It should be the same process as most machines:
1) Insert PF with blind basket with 1/4 - 1/3tsp of detergent powder like Cafiza or Joe Glo
2) Flip paddle all the way over to pump on position
3) Wait about 3s for pressure to build to max level
4) Flip paddle back to off position
5) Repeat steps 2-4 about 10 times.
6) Rinse any remaining detergent from PF
7) Repeat steps 2-4 about 10 times
8) Pull a "sink shot" to reseason the GS/3s innerds

[rlb2444]

I think everyone does it differently. The cleaning instructions are on page 9 of the owners manual.

1. I clean the diffusor screen after each pull by running hot water through it several times and wiping it down with either a paper towel or a micro cloth
2. I remove the screen every other day and soak in a teaspoon of Carfiza along with the screw.
3. At the end of each day I use the blind basket and run several cycles of hot water through the machine
4. Twice a week, with the screen removed, I use a teaspoon of Carfiza and cycle water through it until the water is clear. Normally about 15 cycles it is clear. To engage the cycle you move the paddle from right, all the way left and allow to run for several seconds, move the paddle back to the right and continue the cycles until the water is clear.
5. With the portafilter in place I loosen it a bit and turn the paddle on and allow hot water to move around the outside of the portafilter mount inside the head. I then remove the PF and wipe the head down with a cloth.
6. At this point I usually pull 1-2 shots through it to mask any detergent flavors that might affect the coffee.

All this take about 10 minutes. Not a bad time investment for a marvelous cup and a marvelous machine.

[espenjor]

It should be the same process as most machines:
1) Insert PF with blind basket with 1/4 - 1/3tsp of detergent powder like Cafiza or Joe Glo
2) Flip paddle all the way over to pump on position
3) Wait about 3s for pressure to build to max level
4) Flip paddle back to off position
5) Repeat steps 2-4 about 10 times.
6) Rinse any remaining detergent from PF
7) Repeat steps 2-4 about 10 times
8) Pull a "sink shot" to reseason the GS/3s innerds

Yes, that sounds right, but on my old E61 the backflush ended up in a real "Flush". When I start the pump on the GS/3 against the blindfilter and let it go for 3 sek. nothing happends. When I let it go for 10 sec. I get some liquide into the driptray but if's FAR form what I got from my old E61. The pumpe is correctly working on 9 bar. AmI doing something wrong ?

-- Espen Joranger - Norway

[Rig]

If I'm not mistaken the manual says to backflush for about 10 seconds 5 times in a row with detergent, then do a 5 x 10 sec backflush with plain water. -That's how I do it anyway.

If you do a normal backflush without detergent then it's hard to see the water flow, but using detergent I think you get quite a good visual flow of the backflush. Don't know how much of a flush you got from your old e61 but you might try to put in a bit more detergent in your blindfilter and you'll see that there is a fair bit of fluid going down the drain.

[rlb2444]

Little confused here. When you put the carfiza in the PF you have to continue flushing until the water is clear. I have never been able to see it clear before the 15th backflush. Unless you put an extremely small amount of detergent in the PF it will not be clear after 5 times.

If I'm not mistaken the manual says to backflush for about 10 seconds 5 times in a row with detergent, then do a 5 x 10 sec backflush with plain water. -That's how I do it anyway.

If you do a normal backflush without detergent then it's hard to see the water flow, but using detergent I think you get quite a good visual flow of the backflush. Don't know how much of a flush you got from your old e61 but you might try to put in a bit more detergent in your blindfilter and you'll see that there is a fair bit of fluid going down the drain.