How To Drain Boilers of ECM Synchronika & Profitec Pro 700 Espresso Machines

Learn how to drain the brew and steam boilers of the ECM Synchronika and Profitec Pro 700 espresso machines. Todd from Whole Latte Love shows you in detail how to drain the boilers. It's a good idea to drain the boilers if they need to be removed, for long term storage and if you need to work on areas of the machine which are blocked by the boilers.
For more maintenance, use and service info check the Whole Latte Love Support Wiki. Videos, manuals, diagrams and more for most espresso machines and associated equipment: wiki.wholelatt...

[@carlbrothers]

Add this to the list of things I hope I never have to actually do. Loving my Synchronika so far.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Carl, Thanks for the comment! It is a wonderful machine :) Do you have a recent Synchronika with PID upgrade for higher steam temp/pressure? Machines we shipped starting 6-8 weeks ago (early April 2018) can set PID to 270F. Boiler draining isn't terribly hard. For those with older Synchronikas or Profitec Pro 700s who want to upgrade to the new PID removing the brew boiler is required to access the PID to do the upgrade: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2STk5dml86lndk

[@carlbrothers]

Placed my order in early May and got it a week or so later after some back and forth with UPS.

[@carlbrothers]

And I have to do this now because I didn't swap my water softener cartridge out in a timely fashion. Have lots of sediment in the tanks and already had to clean the screen at the top of the E61 to restore flow.

[@HerfingPug]

You guys are absolutely magnificent. Thank you again for producing an incredibly informative vid. Cheers.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi JLB, You are welcome and thank you for the comment! Marc

[@Kref3]

I actually did change the PID on my 2017 Synchronika last week and I did not drain the brew boiler first. It really was not necessary; I could release all the internal piping, open the two screws connecting it to the frame and could simply take it out upright. I then drained the boiler directly into a little bucket. But here's a question: Since I installed a new PID it went into fill mode automatically. But if I have to drain the boiler for whatever reason in the future wihtout changing the PID, I assume I have to set the PID to fill mode BEFORE I switch the machine off to drain the steam boiler, because I will not switch it on again before the brew boiler gets drained and the filling mode must be selected before that, right?

[@CEB7832]

Don't these machines have drain valves on the boiler? I thought this was an advertised feature by ECM/Profitec?

[@XavierJGomez]

Thank you for the video. Should this be part of a maintenance routine. I have a plumbed filtered ECM Synchronika?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi XJG, Not really needed for routine maintenance. It's more for storing machines or getting water out that's been sitting for excessive time periods.

[@poppothepug2211]

Why are you doing that? I am planning to purchase either a Pro 700 or a Synchronika. Which one is better?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Poppo, Why drain the boilers? For long term storage where machines might experience freezing temperatures. The Pro 700 and Synchronika are essentially identical internally with matching specs and capabilities. The Synchronika has more refined details of external components like angled and chrome tipped portafilters, tapered E61 group head and it's the easiest machine to open up. Marc

[@murphyrp01]

Hey have just cleaned the vacuum relief valve on my SCM barista profi. As the boiler itself is now empty when I get it all back together I get both the green and orange lights on which seems to be wrong. I am expecting just the green light on and the pump to draw water from the tank. Yet is isn’t working like this. What do you think may be the issue. Yes the tank is full.

[@sm-um9hv]

Hello! I just got my synchronika and I am really enjoying playing around with it. I'm just wondering if I don't use it for 3 days or so is it a bad thing to leave the machine sitting that long without cycling the water? Also I read some comments about not drinking the hot water from the hot water wand because the water comes from the boiler.. I don't know why this would cause any concern but is there any harm from consuming the hot water from the boiler? Thanks so much Mark for the incredible videos!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi s m, Great to hear you are having a good time with your new Synchronika! Boilers in the Synchronika are stainless steel so nothing there to compromise water quality. I have no problem with water sitting 3 days but turning over a bit of water (no need to do the full volume of the boiler) is a good idea depending on how you use your machine. Very common to use hot water from the machine for Americanos. I wonder if the comments you're seeing are in regards to concentration of minerals in steam boilers. It's the same boiler which makes hot water and steam. If you only use steam and never take hot water from boiler over time mineral concentration will rise in the boiler. The steam removes small quantities of water but the water coming out as steam is essentially distilled with near zero mineral content. The minerals stay behind in the boiler. It takes a lot of steaming io cause a consequential rise in mineral level in the boiler. And that will only happen if you never take water out from the hot water tap. Running an ounce or two (30-60ml) of water out of the boiler every couple of days will return mineral level to where it started. But you don't need to think about it if you take water out for other reasons. Hope that makes sense and helps! Marc

[@BensCoffeeRants]

I'm guessing you just wanted it to cool down so it's easier and doesn't burn you before emptying the brew boiler, right? Oh also so there's no pressure built up in the mushroom area.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Ben, Yes. You do need the machine heated to push water out of the service boiler but can cool down for the brew boiler. Pressure in the mushroom is slight. Be careful of course but usually not a problem to take the mushroom off with machine heated. Remove slowly to allow to dissipate and lift the lever.

[@Luforge]

Awesome..!..i have my Synchronika coming up nearly a year and use the machine about 3 to 4 times a weekl..Is it worth to drain the water..? or should you do this once or twice a year for draining..?😊😊

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, No need to drain the boilers unless you were descaling or working on the machine and don't want a mess! Fairly easy to turn over the water in brew boiler by running pump.

[@Luforge]

Ok ..Thanks 😊

[@jiddyification]

thanks for all your amazing videos! Is this any different fro the profited pro600? And can this approach be used to run descaled through via the reservoir?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi j, You are welcome. Yes, if you have the skills you could use to descale. Just a heads up, most manufacturers recommend home users do not descale dual boiler machines. They advise DB machines be descaled by a professional. This because DB machines have relatively complex internal components which are subject to clogging if descaling a neglected machine. Marc

[@jiddyification]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks! Mine is only 14 months old and we live in a soft water area, so I’m considering it as more part of regular maintenance. The 700 manual gives instructions for “prophylactic descaling” but the 600 doesn’t which I found a little confusing given they seem pretty similar other than the boiler sizes!

[@nocnymarek7645]

When steam is going out shall it be pluged into electricity or plug-off?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Best to turn off power when draining. Machine should be hot before doing so.

[@nocnymarek7645]

@@Wholelattelovepage Clear, thx!

[@hassannasir90]

Is full draining of water from boiler is necessary on daily basis after use? Or the water can stay in machine till the next day of use? Please advice

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MH, Thanks for the question. No, full draining is not required nor done. Perfectly fine to leave water in from day to day. It is a good idea to turn over the water in the service boiler (steam boiler) a bit if you only ever do steaming. If you never take straight water out of that boiler and only steam over time minerals will accumulate there and scale formation will be more likely. Doesn't take much a cup or now and then. Marc

[@DadGotGamez]

Hi - Great video. I have the pro 600. Is it necessary to drain the boilers if the machine is being shipped via air/sea and will arrive in 1-2 months? If it's safe to leave some of the water in the boilers that would obviously be much easier. Any advice welcome and thanks for the machine. Glad I purchased from you guys!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Adam, Thanks for the comment, question and your patronage! Please excuse my delayed response. I've been offline for a few days. If there's any chance your machine will experience below freezing temperatures then the boilers should be drained. Otherwise it's no problem leaving some water in there. Just be sure and flush well before using again. Marc

[@jmarietta5674]

Thanks Todd and Marc. Great video.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

J Marietta Hi, you’re welcomed and thank you for the comment! Marc

[@nocnymarek7645]

Do you know high quality oremium machine which producevreally good esoresso but with thermoblock?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Not really. Very hard to get stable temps from thermoblocks. Also, most thermoblocks do not heat group head components and portafilters when idle.

[@nocnymarek7645]

May we drain steam boiler by hot water valve to avoid so much steam in house?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Yes, you musty drain from hot water valve as it comes off the bottom of the boiler. Steam valve comes off the top of the boiler so water would not drain.

[@ikazooz84]

Hello! Amazing video - Question though - If the boiler is all empty, and I come to plumb it in / fill it, wouldnt this ruin the heating element like a normal water heater? You mentioned at the end of the video there is a way to do so, Cant locate this video. I am shipping the machine for a 40 days sea & land freight combination trip and worried about how to re-start it once I drain the boiler. I can also keep the water inside but I am afraid maybe there will be a leak of some sort along the route.. Thank you for your help.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi i, Thanks for the question. No worries on damaging the heating element. Just start the machine up as if it where new. There are water level sensors in the boilers. When the machine is turned on sensors will detect no water in boilers and fill them. As added measure, you can turn off the heating element of the steam boiler using switch behind the drip tray. When plumbed, the machine is open to line pressure so the brew boiler will fill even without the pump running. Just keep the group lever up as if you were brewing a shot until water comes out of the shower screen.

[@ikazooz84]

@@Wholelattelovepage Beautiful. Thank you very very much for your kind help and valued support :) Here's hoping the machine arrives safely. It's been a pleasure owning this one. Have a lovely day!

[@paulmonaco5164]

What is the size of the adjustable wrench for the brew head nut?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Paul, Thanks for the question. It's 36mm nut. I use a 12" Crescent wrench that can open up to a max of 1 5/8". Marc

[@nocnymarek7645]

Does easiest method exist? With small compressor or whatever? How often shall we drain boiler? When I plan 3 week holidays may I leave water in boilers or rather shall drain them?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi N, This is the best method short of physically removing the boiler from the machine. 3 weeks should be okay for leaving water in the boilers. I would turn over the water in boilers prior to next use after long idle period like that.

[@nocnymarek7645]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thalnks a lot. That's clear.