Built to be serviced, not replaced.

The full descale procedure for copper and stainless boilers: what solution to mix, how to flush the sight tube, and how to read the gauge during a refill so you never air-lock the element.

1. Cool the machine fully — a warm boiler flash-evaporates descaler into the steam path.
2. Drain via the service valve; note the water's colour against the card shipped with the machine.
3. Mix citric solution at 20 g/L; fill to the sight tube's lower etch line.
4. Heat to 60 °C, hold 20 minutes, then drain and flush twice with target water.
5. Refill, watching the gauge — a stalled needle during heat-up means an air lock; crack the valve wheel a quarter turn to vent.

Every wear part on every machine we make, with intervals and torque values. If you own a 13 mm spanner and can read a table, you can service a Valve & Vessel machine.

1. Group gaskets: 9–12 months daily use — pry from the relief notch, never the seat edge.
2. Lever spring: 5-year service, shipped as a matched pair with new pins.
3. Steam valve packing: when the wheel needs more than two fingers, repack — 4 Nm on the gland nut.
4. Sight tube seals: replace on any descale where the tube shows haze.
5. Anti-vac valve: annual function check — it should hiss for less than 3 seconds from cold.

Spring levers reward patience and punish guessing. This is the shot routine we teach at the foundry, from warm-up to the fold — with the gauge readings you should see at each stage.

1. Warm 25 minutes minimum; the group is your thermometer — it should be uncomfortable to hold.
2. Dose 16 g for the 58 mm basket; level, tamp, and stop fussing.
3. Pull to full stroke and hold 4 seconds at line pressure — watch for 1.2 bar on the gauge.
4. Release and let the spring work. Peak should read 8–9 bar, tapering as the shot draws.
5. Cut at 34–38 g out. Taste before adjusting anything, and change one variable at a time.