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
INSTRUCTIONS
Before using, rinse the water softener with water thoroughly, water has to be filled inside. Or submerge in water for 20 minutes. It’s important that the water softener remains in the water and does not dry out. If the resins dry out, it will no longer be effective in softening the water.
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
Make sure that you attach 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 returning 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 water. According to PUB, the average reading is 7 French Degrees for Singapore water’s hardness level. Do note that this is an average reading and should not be perceived as an absolute reference. Base 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 12 months and should be replaced if it had dried up. Although it’s stated up to 12 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 replace the water in the water tank regularly.
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. In fact, 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. The use of 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 to not 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 then remineralize to reconstitute the water for certain believed beneficial reasons, also making it less erosive. However, remineralized water are 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 saltwater. In general, this should work and produces a better yield for your filters. The problem is if the salt has not been thoroughly rinsed off, the salt can cause serious corrosion to the metal in the espresso machine. Metal that corrodes off, can’t be recovered, and it may destroy the protection layers keeping 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, that 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 use of the Bezzera water softener cartridge is often still the most economical option. It is also easy to integrate for an espresso machine that can fit the cartridge. Also, water filters easily germinate with bacteria in days or weeks, it is a much better idea if the user replaces smaller water filters frequently than to replace 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 can be connected to the water network.
WHAT DOES IT REMOVE?
Technical specification
The softener greatly removes calcium and magnesium which are the main culprits to limescale forming.
Along with that, it is also effective in reducing 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.
