Espresso coffee maker cleaning and maintenance
Effectivity: Global Express/XRS, Global 5000, Global 5000 GVFD, Global 5500 and Global 6000 aircraft
ATA: 25 Equipment/Furnishing
By: Francois Rivrais - Technical Services, Widebody Aircraft When you are planning your next regularly scheduled maintenance on your Bombardier aircraft, don’t forget to inspect the espresso coffee maker.
Since there are no Supplemental Maintenance Tasks for the espresso coffee maker, it’s important for all operators to plan regularly scheduled maintenance.
The espresso coffee maker (model AL-EX15-200E) used for coffee, steam and hot water preparation must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent contamination as per manufacturer recommendations.
To keep the espresso machine functional and to ensure the quality of the coffee, it is important that operators follow the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) cleaning schedule intervals:
Daily - required if the unit is operated during the flight
Every 3 months (minimum) - descaling procedure must be performed
Every 6 months (minimum) - sanitizing procedures must be performed
12 to 18 months - major maintenance scheduled
In addition to the CMM, the following documents are available on the Bombardier Customer Portal.
You can find them under AEROLUX INSTRUCTION CARD AND SUPPLEMENT BOOKLET ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE.
Instruction card
Espresso Cleaning and Maintenance
We recommend operators keep these documents handy for quick reference.
A build-up of calcium can block valves, solenoids, pipes, etc., which is why descaling is important. Descaling the machine regularly (at minimum every three months) removes calcium build-up. The hardness levels of the water, commonly expressed as milligrams of calcium per liter (mg/L), will influence the descaling frequency and will affect the taste of food and other beverages prepared with hot water. It is also responsible for scale deposits and for many of the unscheduled removals sent to repair centers. Sanitizing the unit is a hygienic deep clean of internal parts in contact with the coffee or water. It is worthwhile knowing that the level of hardness may vary significantly.
Hardness levels in common brands of bottled water
Aerolux™ recommends the use of a water supply with a level of hardness between 0 – 20 mg/l.
The DESCALE message on the LCD is displayed automatically after 600 cycles or 1,000 run hours, whichever is shorter.
However, the descaling and sanitizing task frequencies may be adjusted to meet actual in-service requirements; either increasing or decreasing frequency depending on the serviceability and hygiene quality of the unit.
As a reminder, the capsule cage, the O-ring, the spring and the jet cram must be removed during the descaling. This is explained in the CMM and in the Espresso Cleaning and Maintenance booklet.
Quick tips regarding hygiene and to ensure the unit operates correctly:
Rinse the unit before and after each daily use. Run coffee maker, select large cup without a coffee capsule fitted
On completion of the coffee cycle, remove and dispose of used capsules. This action prevents the system from becoming blocked with coffee grounds
Always clean the steam nozzle by running hot water after use; replace as required
Thoroughly clean the unit and parts after flights, particularly the capsule holders and nozzles
Don’t leave used coffee capsules in the machine
Drain the water when the unit is not in use
WARNING: Contaminated steam pipes, frother, capsule holders and cages can be a health hazard. Make sure they are serviceable and clean before and after each flight.
Failure to observe the cleaning instructions, as specified in the CMM, will result in the need for unscheduled removals and may cause damage to the unit.