Fill the boiler safely

Let the pressure out first

Whenever the machine is warm, the boiler is under pressure. The manual's order for topping it up:

1. Switch the machine off.
2. Slowly turn the steam knob anticlockwise and wait for all the steam to come out of the steam pipe.
3. Take the filter holder out, and put a container under the group.
4. Slowly lift the lever and keep it up, so the steam and water left in the boiler come out through the group.
5. Wait until the steam and water stop.

The manual warns that the steam and water are very hot and can scald.

Cap off, fill with cold water, cap on

Still the manual.

1. When the steam and water have stopped, unscrew the boiler cap slowly.
2. Fill with cold water only, no higher than the top of the sight glass. The boiler holds 0.8 litres.
3. Move the lever down to rest.
4. Close the steam knob clockwise.
5. Screw the cap back on clockwise.
6. Switch on and let the air out, as in heat up.

A boiler that has cooled with the knob closed can hold a vacuum: the manual's sign is the lever rising by itself. Opening the steam knob first lets air back in, so the cap comes off without a fight.

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