Profitec Drive Espresso Machine Black

Yes. The Drive comes set up for the water tank: for mains water, turn the rotary valve outwards and set Tank Mode to OFF in the menu. The supply must deliver 1 to 2 bar: if it can go above 2 bar you need a pressure reducer, plus a shut-off valve within easy reach. Neither is included. Only use the hose supplied, never old hoses, and if in doubt have a technician do the connection.

If you fit the included drain pan, you need a 1/2" inner diameter waste hose with a stainless steel clamp, and the rubber stopper in the middle of the drip tray has to come out. In mains mode Profitec recommends passive pre-infusion only. If it is plumbed in and will not start, check that Tank Mode is OFF; if you go back to the tank and the machine draws air, set it back to ON.

Anticlockwise opens it, clockwise closes it. To start from the standard setting, a classic espresso with pressure building quickly to about 9 bar, close it fully and then open it about 1¼ turns. In this position the machine delivers about 10-12 g of water per second: that describes the setting, it is not the flow you should see in the cup.

From there you can change the flow before or during extraction and read the pressure on the group gauge. Profitec advises changing one thing at a time, not coffee, grind and dose together.

With Fast Heating on, it is ready in about 12-13 minutes; without it, it takes 30-35 minutes. At the end of heating the Flush icon appears: within 60 seconds move the lever to the brewing position and bring it back when "Ready Go" appears after about 20 seconds.

If you want it hot when you get to it, you can schedule two on and two off times per day.

Every 1-2 weeks, even with daily use; empty it too if it will stand unused for a while. You do not need to take anything apart, the pressure does the work.

Let the Drive heat up until the display shows the brew and steam temperatures, then switch it off. Put a large container under the hot water wand and open the hot water valve: the boiler empties through the wand. Then close the valve and rinse with fresh water, as at first start-up (chapter 8.1.3 of the manual, 8.2.3 if it is plumbed in).

It depends on how much you use it, but as a rule:

• after every espresso run a little water through the group (flush): it clears coffee residue from the shower screen;
• every day backflush with the blind filter and water only;
• every 1-2 weeks, more often if you use it a lot, backflush with espresso machine detergent.

Do not overdo the detergent: even in small amounts, over time it strips the grease from the gaskets and O-rings and dries them out.

Profitec recommends the detergent clean roughly every 90-140 coffees, and the Drive manual warns that backflushing too often with detergent strips the grease from the shaft and the brew lever gasket, which then squeaks and wears faster.

With this routine and good quality water, the machine does not need descaling.

No. If you use the right water and keep up the routine (a flush after every coffee, a daily backflush with water and one with detergent every 1-2 weeks), descaling is not needed.

The 220 V version is rated 230 V, 50/60 Hz: it suits 220-240 V mains, the voltage in most of the world, Europe included, including where the frequency is 60 Hz. If your mains are low voltage, write to us before ordering.

Before plugging it in, check the nameplate at the front in the drip tray holder, and use an earthed socket with no extension cables.