Bezzera Water Softener
From SS$16.00
Water softening is the most important step to keep your coffee machine from breaking down, 80% of the major problems found in espresso machines are due to limescale!
Limescale damages are usually not covered in warranties and are costly to repair as many components may need replacement.
Keeping your water clean and soft is much safer and more effective than descaling too frequently.
Do note that water softeners can only reduce the amount of limescale, they do not totally remove them, especially if the water condition is too hard. It also cannot remove existing limescale that had formed in the machine.
EXPIRATION DATE: UP TO 18 MONTHS FROM THE INSTALLATION DATE OR UP TO 40 LITRES OF UNFILTERED TAP WATER, WHICHEVER FIRST. (BASE ON SINGAPORE’S TAP WATER AVERAGE READING)
Bezzera Water Softener
Suitable for all models using water tank, drawing water with silicon inlet hose, they are:
Bezzera BZ07, BZ09, BZ10, BZ13, Crema, Expobar Pulser, Brewtus with Vibration pump, Leva EB61.
Certain models from Bezzera will require a modification kit to adapt the water softening cartridge. They are:
Bezzera Magica, Mitica, Galatea Domus, Strega and BZ16 with water tank.
For other brands, this will only work if your machine draws water from a soft silicone hose.
If you like to know more about the importance of water softening, refer to this page. Water softening
For models that can draw water with a silicon inlet hose, like the Bezzera BZ07, BZ09, BZ10, BZ13, Crema, Expobar Pulser, Brewtus with Vibration pump, Leva EB61.
You can attach the softener directly.
Please remove the filter attachment if it’s available.
Remove this
Ensure you attach it to the correct hose that draws water into the machine.
If there are two hoses, it should be the one that is longer. The other hose is for return and should not be plugged with any objects.
For Bezzera models that draw water from the bottom of the water tank, like the Magica, Mitica, Strega Galatea Domu, BZ16, etc.
You will have to purchase the modification kit.
Unscrew this
Replace with this fitting and plug in the silicone hose.
Connect the water softener to the other end of the silicone hose.
WHEN TO REPLACE
There are two points to consider
- Depending on the hardness of the water. According to PUB, the average reading is 7 French Degrees for Singapore water’s hardness level. Note that this is an average reading and should not be perceived as an absolute reference. Based on 7 French Degrees, the filter should be replaced after every 40 litres of usage. If you are using mineral water, remineralized water or if you are using in other countries, the hardness might be greater, and you may have to replace the softener sooner.
- The softener should be replaced at least once every 18 months and should be replaced if it has dried up. Although it’s stated up to 18 months of efficacy, we recommend replacing any water filters within 2 to 3 months because there’s a high tendency for bacteria to build up inside the filter. Especially if the user does not regularly replace the water in the water tank.
IS IT BETTER TO USE THESE SOFTENER CARTRIDGES THAN LARGE WATER FILTERS?
Most filters sold in Singapore are not meant for water softening. They are typically designed for toxin removal. We have seen more problems in machines that used the wrong filters than those that used any. There are more filters sold in Singapore that remineralize, which makes the water harder than soften.
What are the types of water filters that can create problems?
- Filters that remove everything
Some filters are so aggressive that they remove everything in the water. This produces water similar to distilled water. Using distilled water is hazardous as it could cause erosion to metal. Some models, like the Bezzera Magica, Mitica, Galatea Domus, Strega and BZ16, use electrolysis for water detection. The machine is designed to reject water that is too soft and can cause the machine not to detect the presence of water in the tank, which would deactivate the heating element and the pump. You can still use distilled water by remineralizing with baking soda though baking soda does not form limescale on the metal. You can find out more from this article: Water softening - Filters that remineralise
Some filters remove everything in the water and then remineralize to reconstitute it for specific believed beneficial reasons, making it less erosive. However, remineralized water is often very hard, which will reduce the efficacy of the softeners or reduce the mileage greatly. The formation of a large amount of limescale build-up is very likely to happen. Most alkaline waters are very hard. It’s not uncommon to see machines choked with limescale in months from using such water. - Softeners that regenerate
Some softeners can be regenerated by running through with salt water. This should work and produce a better yield for your filters. The problem is if the salt has not been thoroughly rinsed off, the salt can cause severe corrosion to the metal in the espresso machine. Metal that corrodes off can’t be recovered and may destroy the protection layers that keep toxic metal from leaching. Nowadays, we rarely see manufacturers recommending the usage of such softeners.
Under what circumstances should I use large water filters?
Large under-sink water filters are costly to set up and maintain. There are still circumstances that you should use a commercial-grade water filter.
- If your machine can only be connected to your tap to receive water.
- If you wish to connect the machine to a water network.
- If your consumption is huge. Most commercial cartridge softeners last anything from 300 to 6000 litres in Singapore. Assume each espresso uses up to 100ml, which yields about 3000 to 60000 cups. As we mentioned earlier, most filters can germinate and build up bacteria in days or weeks so it’s still recommended to replace them frequently. If you intend to replace them just quarterly, then it means that it’s appropriate to use a commercial-class softener if your consumption is about 1000 to 20000 cups a month
The Bezzera water softener cartridge is often still the most economical option. It is also easy to integrate into an espresso machine that can fit the cartridge. Also, water filters quickly germinate with bacteria in days or weeks. It is strongly recommended that the user replaces smaller filters regularly than replacing a bigger one only 1 to 2 times a year.
However, if your machine can only take water from a plumb in connection, then you will have no choice but to get the larger water filtration system that has to be connected to the water network.
WHAT DOES IT REMOVE?
The softener significantly removes calcium and magnesium, which are the main culprits to limescale forming. Unlike many brands in the market, the cation exchange does not increase chloride which can cause serious corrosion.
It also effectively reduces the amount of lead and copper found in water. Lead is a neurotoxin which can be leached from eroded brass fittings commonly used in water networks.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The strong cation resins in the softener attract and bind minerals to its surface. This will absorb most of the minerals from the water before it gets fed into the machine. As limescale buildup on the surface of the resin, the efficacy decreases. As such, the softener has to be replaced regularly. The softener is food grade and compliant to EC 1935/2004 – EC 10/2011 – 98/83 EC
WILL IT BE COMPATIBLE TO MY MACHINE FROM OTHER BRANDS
We have no idea and can’t answer that. If it draws water from a silicon hose, usually of about 6 mm diameter, then most likely yes.
