Descaled Coffee Machine...now it doesn't work!

Eviledna

Hi All,

I've recently been given a barely used "bush connoisseur CCM100" espresso and filter coffee machine. I do not have the instruction booklet for the machine. It was very scaled up as it was stored with water in it in a hard water area, so I purchased punch coffee machine descaler and attempted to descale it according to the instructions on the packet. After I put the solution in the machine, it will no longer switch on or work at all.

Does anyone know of any possible solutions/advice for this apart from "bin the machine"? Any thoughts appreciated, was looking forward to recycling this unused machine and saving some money this Christmas!

Thanks!

MarcoB

Are you sure it was working before? I would at least try changing the fuse, make sure it is 13A if the current one is.

IsThatSo?

If you don't have any luck you could try getting it serviced. There is a shop in Harolds Cross that I have heard mention of here, they might be able to help you out.

Eviledna

Thanks for the suggestions folks, I don't think getting it serviced will be the way to go as this is an old model and was given to save me money, not cost it:)
I'll change the plug but I just have a feeling that isn't it, it was working before I descaled it.

Has anyone else got a bush connoisseur CCM100 by any unlikely chance?

Eviledna

Well folks it turned out to be the fuse, thanks so much for the suggestions!

I can embark on my espresso journey now...just one question, any tips for descaling a very scaled espresso maker? The Punch citric acid descaler just doesnt seem to be doing the job, the water coming out of the espresso nozzle is still cloudy!

Thanks again MarcoB and IsThatSo.

rockbeer

Glad it's working again!

If it's scaled up really badly, time and repeated treatment are really the only options. You don't want to use anything too toxic because of the difficulty of cleaning out the inside of the boiler thoroughly afterwards. Keep at it.

I would use citric acid solution, about 10g to the litre. Leave the solution sitting in the boiler for twenty minute at a time. After that it won't do much anyway. Rinse thoroughly and repeat as many times as it takes.

Good luck.

MarcoB

Eviledna wrote: »

I'll change the plug but I just have a feeling that isn't it, it was working before I descaled it.

Sometimes it can get wet when you are filling or emptying. Or solutions can fizz up and cause problems, i.e. it could have short ciricuited and blown the fuse when plugged back in.

Check this thread on special descaler
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055440908

rockbeer

I've found citric acid is just as effective as the commercial descalers but a fraction of the price. You can usually pick it up in Asian stores.

Eviledna

Well thanks one and all, descaling with citric acid three times eventually did the job and thanks to ye I'll be enjoying a caffeine fulled frothy-milk and espresso Christmas this year!