SLAYER ESPRESSO V3 USER MANUAL V5.1 | AUGUST, 2022
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 the help of a reliable company (Slayer recommends
OptiPure and BWT) to evaluate your water and recommend and
administer treatments.
When evaluating water quality, the two most important factors to
consider are calcium carbonate and chloride:
CALCIUM CARBONATE:
Dissolved mineral that determines the “hardness” or “softness” of water.
The desirable range of hardness is 4-6 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 6
grains) will accumulate scale faster and require maintenance sooner.
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.
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:
Process by which water passes through the granular activated carbon,
which attracts and retains many chemicals in the water that have an
unpleasant taste or odor.
Carbon filtration is necessary for all Slayers. For water with 4-6 grains of
hardness, carbon filtration is likely the only necessary water treatment.
ION EXCHANGE:
Process by which water passes through an ion exchange system, where
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 effective
in removing inorganic substances. It does not, however, remove organic
substances, such as bacteria.
REVERSE OSMOSIS WITH BLEND-BACK VALVE (OR
REMINERALIZED RO):
Process by which water is forced through a semi-permeable 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, but 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 is ideal.
IMPORTANT:
All Slayer espresso machines need to be connected to a
carbon water filter to remove chlorine, sediments, odor, and undesirable
tastes from the water. 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.
Contact the equipment vendor to inquire about the life expectancy of the
filters, then schedule replacement and re- installation accordingly.
Slayer’s recommended water recipe for ultimate taste and limited scale:
pH:
7-9
Total Hardness:
2-6 grains
TDS:
50-200 mg/L
Alkalinity:
40-100 mg/L
Chloride:
<30 ppm
Silica:
<10 ppm
Chloramine:
<.1 ppm
Chlorine:
<.1 ppm
IMPORTANT: Damage to or failure of your machine due to inadequately
treated water 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.
