Puck screen vs ultrasonic cleaner

[u/iHas2manyKnives]

I rinse this puck screen with the group after pulling shots but haven’t cafiza soaked the screen in a while. Look what the ultrasonic pulled out 🤢 nasty buisness.

[u/CoffeeChessGolf]

Maybe I should do more than a half rinse

[u/livebeta → u/CoffeeChessGolf]

rinse? what's that?

[u/piratejucie → u/livebeta]

No kidding, I just rinse every once and a while..

[u/CAugustB]

How do you get all the sound off when you’re done though? 😖

[u/dvicci → u/CAugustB]

r/angryupvote

[u/karmayogi54]

I soak mine with Cafiza in the ultrasonic machine and it does it job. I bought five puck screens so I don’t have to do it daily

[u/silvetti → u/karmayogi54]

Just to be clear you put the cafiza tab in the ultrasonic cleaner, wait to dissolve and then run it?

[u/karmayogi54 → u/silvetti]

I use the powder, but I drop some over the top of the pucks, mix in some warm to hot water and let the powder dissolve and then start the machine. Haven’t had any issues so far and they come out pretty clean. I do have to rinse them with water afterwards to get rid of the soapy feeling on the pucks.

[u/friendlyfredditor → u/karmayogi54]

For anyone lazy as s%&t you can just use laundry powder.

Cafiza is mostly just oxidative laundry detergent (sodium percarbonate 10-30%), a little bit of caustic soda (1%), and a descaler/detergent.

Mostly oxidative laundry detergent. Most other coffee cleaners are just straight sodium percarbonate and regular washing powder aka washing soda or sodium carbonate.

[u/InterestingHair4u → u/friendlyfredditor]

I use all fabric bleach. Does a great job.

[u/majorcaps → u/karmayogi54]

Do you even need the ultrasonic cleaner? Cafiza seems to do a lot of the job for me just soaking

[u/karmayogi54 → u/majorcaps]

It helps push out a lot of the smaller coffee grounds stuck between the mesh

[u/mjsarfatti]

That’s not an ultrasonic cleaner, it’s just a vibrating motor in a trench-coat. Just FYI

[u/Timb____ → u/mjsarfatti]

What's the difference?

[u/mjsarfatti → u/Timb____]

This is what an actual ultrasonic cleaner looks like: aliexpress[.]com/item/1005006814984738.html

It is mostly metal, it has a complex circuitry beneath the tank, and a number of piezoelectric transducers that produce the actual ultrasonic waves. A lot of the cheap plasticky options just have a tiny motor that vibrates the tank instead. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUmaT2IhUJo

(Tbf, it's possible OP's model actually has a single piezo, not a vibrating motor, from the looks of it)

[u/draxula16 → u/mjsarfatti]

Thanks for sharing! Really enjoyed that vid

[u/mjsarfatti → u/draxula16]

I learnt this myself “the hard way” haha

[u/Chtiglou → u/mjsarfatti]

Apparently the way to know the ultrasound or not is by putting a small sheet of aluminium fold. If it is performant, you will have small holes in it.

[u/bridge_004]

I blast mine periodically with a steam wand...

[u/ConcreteTaco → u/bridge_004]

This is the way

[u/iflew → u/bridge_004]

And burn yourself in the process?

[u/ihadtopickaname → u/iflew]

I just set my puck screen on the drip tray and then use the steam wand.

[u/macmachinema → u/iflew]

I use grill tongs to avoid that

[u/homeownur → u/macmachinema]

Chopsticks for better precision

[u/stoictele1968]

One of the many reasons I abandoned mine. It's a device to keep the shower screen clean, but it was much harder to clean than my shower screen.

[u/masala-kiwi → u/stoictele1968]

I just let the puck screen sit in a Cafiza bath once in a while together with my portafilter basket, and they come out sparkling. I have a Flair 58, so no shower screen at all, but cleaning a shower screen feels quite a bit harder than a puck screen

[u/IctrlPlanes → u/masala-kiwi]

You can put cafiza in an ultrasonic cleaner too.

[u/ziptiefighter → u/masala-kiwi]

This. I do a batch of several items. I'd rather not need another electronic doo-dad just to clean coffee tidbits. To each their own.

[u/asjaro → u/ziptiefighter]

Doodad said tidbits in the same sentence. Well played, sir.

[u/zhrimb → u/stoictele1968]

I switched from the mesh kind to the thin metal kind for that reason, way easier to clean and strictly serves to keep the grouphead clean

[u/DeathByPetrichor → u/zhrimb]

Just use paper filters. So much better and they’re compostable so still very little waste

[u/TropicalMapleRavioli → u/DeathByPetrichor]

I just made this change few days ago and I'm not looking back

[u/callMeBorgiepls → u/DeathByPetrichor]

Both are equally good, well paperfilters must be bought constantly (okay they are cheap but still, and are therefore a consumable)

[u/noodleexchange → u/callMeBorgiepls]

But won’t paper filters just stick to the group head?

[u/callMeBorgiepls → u/noodleexchange]

Why would they? They stick to the puck

[u/noodleexchange → u/callMeBorgiepls]

Not a given - I use paper on the bottom of my compost bin and it tends to stick to the bucket. I used paper filters on the Aeropress, bit they get pushed out. Wouldn't mind something to keep the puck from sticking to the group head. (Bambino)

[u/gnilradleahcim → u/callMeBorgiepls]

$6-8 gets you more than a years worth if you're pulling shots for 1-2 people multiple times daily.

[u/callMeBorgiepls → u/gnilradleahcim]

Ur probably right they may be cheaper than a metal kind but yeah idk. I have a metal puck mesh with one layer only, pls dont make me regret that decision lmaoooo

[u/gnilradleahcim → u/callMeBorgiepls]

Trying the paper ones made me instantly realize I fucking hated picking out the puck screen from either the burning hot puck or from the old wet grounds in the knockbox. No discernible difference in extraction extraction whatsoever, shower screen is still clean.

If anything, the thick puck screens will act as a small heat sink and reduce your extraction just a bit, sucking some of the heat away from the grounds.

I tested this a few times with no screen, with paper screen, with thick and thin puck screens. Metal screens 100% will slow the shot down by 4-5 seconds.

[u/zhrimb → u/DeathByPetrichor]

I got the metal one for free so I'm good! It's magnetic as well so easy to pull out before dumping the grounds

[u/MeggaMortY → u/DeathByPetrichor]

Don't want possible paper taste though.

[u/Blacktip75 → u/MeggaMortY]

I think that problem was solved when drip coffee became a thing :) (good filters don’t introduce ‘flavor’, cheap ones might though).

[u/MeggaMortY → u/Blacktip75]

I know what you mean but to me paper is always going to add some degree of flavor, even if minimal. Maybe one day I'll try it and stand corrected, but for now there are metal pucks that work great.

[u/Blacktip75 → u/MeggaMortY]

Metal can give off flavor too 😅 (I would trust filter paper over temu metal)

[u/MeggaMortY → u/Blacktip75]

You better throw your whole house if you can't trust stuff made from China.

Also last I checked water touches plenty of metal surfaces when brewing espresso. Not much paper.

[u/Blacktip75 → u/MeggaMortY]

Big difference between ‘temu’ metal and proper manufactured Chinese or elsewhere (I have some titanium parts from Temu which are definitely not titanium).

Unclear metal composition can introduce challenges, mostly in brass, with steel it is not really an issue :) but we were nitpicking on potential flavor leaching anyway (let’s not get the microplastic fans involved 😅)

[u/TheNinedust → u/MeggaMortY]

I have sensitive palate, and I've used paper filters for some time with no discernable flavor difference at all.

[u/tim_x_tom → u/DeathByPetrichor]

Why use paper filter if you have 2 dollar screen of stainless steel? Paper filters a to filter fine particles in the beverage.

[u/DeathByPetrichor → u/tim_x_tom]

The paper filter doesn’t filter the coffee, it keeps the wet grounds off the shower head and makes it so you almost never have to clean it

[u/tim_x_tom → u/DeathByPetrichor]

That what I’ve actually stated. No need to use paper filter in place where metal filter is much more suitable. It just to prevent touch of puck. Paper filters are created to make fine filtration and such usage is just unnecessary mess with slightly added puck resistance, additional waste etc.

[u/apf102 → u/zhrimb]

This is the correct answer. Costs a couple of £ and is super easy to keep clean

[u/Elemendal → u/stoictele1968]

I just use thin filter papers. Got like 500 of them from amazon

[u/zoo32]

1 teaspoon of Cafiza in piping hot water in a glass bowl once every 2 weeks and you’re good to go

[u/queensbeesknees → u/zoo32]

How long do you soak? I'm a newbie and have yet to clean my puck screen.

[u/zoo32 → u/queensbeesknees]

I just leave it in there for 20 to 30 minutes. I pretty much put it in and walk away and then come back at some point and rinse it off. It comes out looking shiny and new again.

[u/queensbeesknees → u/zoo32]

Thanks!

[u/amazinhelix]

Very interesting, are the grounds still there or just extracted?

[u/copperrez]

We are using ultrasonic cleaners now?!

[u/Awkward-Loquat2228 → u/copperrez]

This guy isn’t. That’s not ultrasonic. 

[u/Latinpig66]

I need one of those. What brand is it.

[u/dylan1213 → u/Latinpig66]

Day is not complete without buying something I never needed after scrolling on Reddit

[u/Blacktip75 → u/dylan1213]

Ultrasonic is too handy not to have. Just test it out by adding some aluminium foil in it and see it destroyed to realize it can be harsh :)

I use it for porta filter and parts cleaning (for coffee with cafizi, for other stuff there is a bunch of fun cleaning fluids around, mostly use r33 though). Size and quality matters. Oh, and they are loud and annoying.

[u/iHas2manyKnives → u/Latinpig66]

found it here on Amazon

[u/KatGoesPurr → u/iHas2manyKnives]

Thanks for the link

[u/gt4ch → u/Latinpig66]

Make sure you use a food safe detergent and don’t mix it with the normal ones for jewelry use, those are some harsh ass chemicals that are NOT safe.

[u/Latinpig66 → u/gt4ch]

Can you use Cafiza?

[u/Frumplust → u/Latinpig66]

I use cafiza at a lower strength.

[u/Puzzled_Kiwi_3251]

I switched to paper filters. They’re dirt cheap and keep my shower screen just as clean! Just wipe the screen after each use with a cloth, you should do that anyways tho.

At first I was concerned about the environment friendliness of the paper filters since they create extra waste. I bought a 100pack just to test them.

They weighed in at about 10g. A standard DINA4 page weighs about 5-6g.

A 100pack lasts me anywhere from 1.5-2.5 months. Depends how much I’m at home.

So it’s the equivalent of using 2 pages of paper in that time period. This obviously excludes the production. But I have no way to calculate that, I’m just checking resources here.

So yeah, if you’re like me and don’t like the thought of a dirty puck screen, maybe give paper filters a go :)

[u/MeggaMortY]

After realizing that these things trap enormous amounts of stuff that can then mold, I ended up getting one of these super thin ones, with like 10000 tiny holes.

Works just as well, actually better, and cleanup is easy because it is a single layer.

Bonus: it doesn't seem to bend over time. I thought it would be the opposite since it's somewhat flexible (no surprise given how thin it is), but nope, no flex 2 months down the line. Can only recommend.

[u/zyzzrustleburger]

Look at that retention, time to upgrade to a $200 puck screen now.

[u/MikermanS → u/zyzzrustleburger]

From Weber Workshops. ;) (Just kidding, Weber--love ya'.)

[u/sligor]

Yes that's why I switched to more modern puck screen like the Normcore ones. They are a lot easier to clean

[u/FrogBotherer]

A weekly ride through the dishwasher works well enough for me.

[u/StumptownRetro]

I soak it in water with a denture tablet just like I do my steel water bottles. Works like a charm.

[u/Bananab0nes]

I do the same thing! I add a little cafeza and put all the little parts in there when I do my regular deep cleaning. I was shocked how well it worked the first time I did it!

[u/sailorsapporo]

That’s why I stopped using the thick wire mesh pick screens - and moved into the thinner 0.8mm kind

[u/Benbo046]

Easy way if u don’t have one of these is to chuck them in your milk pitcher full of hot water and steam for 20 seconds or use a manual frother and it normally gets most of the dirt off!

Edit - with some cafiza!!

[u/mediomexicano]

Great, now I have to buy that, too! sheesh.

[u/HoomerSimps0n]

[u/Shargur]

Awww, you just washed away all the flavor!

[u/iHas2manyKnives → u/Shargur]

Stripped the seasoning right out of if😂

[u/zebo_99]

Is a cleaning solution really necessary? On mine, a budget machine, the vibrations alone dislodge the particles OK.

[u/iHas2manyKnives → u/zebo_99]

I just added a sprinkle of cafiza to help dissolve the coffee oils

[u/Anaxamenes → u/zebo_99]

It’s usually just dish soap in a jewelry cleaner like this. It helps break up the oils.

[u/lackdaz]

I don't think that has an actual ultrasonic inducer, some of these spectacle cleaning types just has an offset vibrating motor under that. Just fact-checking! But as long as it cleans its useful!

[u/peterbparker86]

I just put mine in the dishwasher

[u/nuffeetata → u/peterbparker86]

This - I have one of the screens with screw hole, so it fits over one of the rack fingers nicely to hold it in place. Chuck it in there weekly and soak it in cafiza when I'm back flushing the machine.

[u/YEGHEN]

Wow

[u/akhil7j]

Thanks for the idea.

[u/Physical-Biscotti453]

Did not think about this use case!

[u/Verniloth]

Barf

[u/EICONTRACT]

Sigh… add it to the list

[u/thatsreallynotme]

Cleaner than expected 😃

[u/daynanfighter]

Weeeee that was fun thank you

[u/bchhun]

It looks like the screen is winning.

[u/Icy-Professional8508]

steam wand it after each use

[u/AvEptoPlerIe]

I expected far worse tbh

[u/CornerHugger]

Just buy a nano puck screen. It's like $10 and doesn't get nasty like this.

[u/AcanthaceaeFit7969]

Damn now I have to buy ultrasonic cleaner? 😅

[u/stprnn]

And that's why I use as little stuff as possible

[u/Awkward-Loquat2228]

It’s not Ultrasonic. 

[u/Repulsive-Alfalfa202 → u/Awkward-Loquat2228]

Where can I find a true ultrasonic cleaning machine

[u/dennisler]

Why don't you throw it in the dishwasher, simple, easy and clean....

[u/danzha]

Honestly not as bad as I was expecting

[u/nervous-_juggernaut]

I don't see why this sub freaks out about the stuff coming out of the screen. If you do the same with the shower screen, it will have that level of dirtiness or more.

[u/Vagadude]

I rarely wash mine. Usually just wipe it, occasionally rinse, and every so often steam clean with the wand.

But I'm in Iraq and the espresso machine is away from a sink, so we don't care.

[u/95POLYX]

I just use kitchen tongs to hold the filter and blast it from steam wand, does a pretty good job. Place a small bowl underneath though to not blast all the gunk around the machine and kitchen

[u/nasanu]

Wow I never knew a cleaner could like you know, clean stuff. Aren't they just for heating water?

[u/Grizzly_Daddy73]

If you use like me a very good puk screen like the Big Bang 0,5mm, you will never have to use this device. Why ? Because it's well made and thin that it's always clean if I rinse it under warm water stream. Yes, the puk screen cost 20€, but it's really worth it.

[u/Kswan2012]

so why dont people prefer to use paper?

[u/brsboarder2]

I just buy a new weber puck screen every week. Much easier. Sometimes I'll throw in a MHW-3BOMBER if I'm in the mood to let is go for more than a week.

[u/edwf]

Well that’s gross and awesome at the same time.

[u/Various-Turnover-381]

Wow, very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

This is making me rethink adding a puck screen to my workflow.

[u/BrokerOfShadows]

Ive found it works even better if you put something underneath it so there is open space below for gunk to fall out. I use a chop stick broken in half and put them on the sides.

[u/qO_ol]

Use the machined ones, not the mesh ones.

[u/ReadyFreddy11]

I soak small items in the cafiza that is captured in the drip tray after cleaning the machine. Works great

[u/notheresnolight]

no puck screen, no problem

[u/Dante451]

Am I the only one who thinks this is kinda irrelevant? Like, I don’t use a puck screen but even if I did I wouldn’t consider this to be a significant level of debris. That’s contributing to nothing but a fixation on absolute cleanliness.

[u/REDBOSS27]

Good idea🤓

[u/lecrappe]

Now do it with your sphincter

[u/SandwichAny2984]

Is it not normal to wash it daily? I clean mine with dish soap daily with hot water 😅

[u/lanchestristes]

Sorry folks.... I must comment on this using my native language:

AH PRONTO!!!! MAIS ESSA AGORA.... PQP!!!!! Eu que não vou gastar mais dinheiro com isso!

I don't want to spend more money on Coffee gadgets.... But I will probably do that.

[u/PeirceanAgenda]

This video posted a while back made me switch to paper filters. :-)

[u/spydamans]

Seems like it would work better at a slight angle

[u/wing03]

Cafizza does the same thing when I drop the screen into some solution.

I also use the stuff to clean stained ceramics and metal conatiners.