Water filtration.

Dry_bean.

Seems retailers are increasingly using scare tactics to promote the sales of water filtration systems (to unenlightened consumers) to combat scale build up in espresso machines.
Now I'm not saying this is in its self a bad thing, however if you are disciplined enough to descale your machine on a regular basis I see no benefit to anyone other than the pocket of the retailer.
Yes I've had a few different machines over the past 15 years and no I don't use a filtration system, I've never experienced a scale problem with any of them, even though I live in SA, reputed to have some of the worst water in Australia and yes, I descale regularly.
So what I'm saying is if you can afford a filter and it makes you feel more secure about your machine then go for it, if you cant or don't want to outlay the cash don't get too stressed about it, descale regularly (every six months for me) and you wont have a problem.

askthecoffeeguy

water filter smilter filter - I use a brita water filter jug and regularly descale my machine (at least once per year) - the cost is minimal and the results fantastic and I've never had any problems...

Dry_bean.

I guess if the mantra is repeated often enough (if ya don't use a filter your machines gonna die) people will start to believe it, this is certainly the case  over there, if you don't embrace the filter concept with open arms you risk expulsion. ;D

Koffee_Kosmo

The problem is we as enthusiasts do take care of our equipment Others dont There are more "others" than enthusiasts so it makes sense KK

Dry_bean.

on 1287842256:

The problem is we as enthusiasts do take care of our equipment Others dont There are more "others" than enthusiasts so it makes sense KK

This is exactly what I mean, if you don't use water filtration, by implication, you don't take care of your equipment

askthecoffeeguy

A friend of mine picked up a mokita neopolitana with the built in grinder from a garage sale for $50 ! I took it apart and gave it a good clean - and the result? Quite a bit of grind built up on the shower screen and in the lines - but easily flushed out with a bit of back washing - and managed to produce a very reasonable coffee certainly on par with a Rancilio Silver! Oh and NO sign of any scale buildup P

Dry_bean.

on 1287915715:

A friend of mine picked up a mokita neopolitana with the built in grinder from a garage sale for $50 ! I took it apart and gave it a good clean - and the result? Quite a bit of grind built up on the shower screen and in the lines - but easily flushed out with a bit of back washing - and managed to produce a very reasonable coffee certainly on par with a Rancilio Silver! Oh and NO sign of any scale buildup P

I check the mushroom on my machine regularly and find that it begins to show signs of scale build up at around 3 months, so I descale with Restore every 3 months, takes a little while to do, but no major drama, the machine is running as well today as the day I bought it.