CTechP Water & Preventive Maintenance

Content

CTechP Water & Preventive Maintenance – Foundation

Elevate Your Technical Coffee Skills
Water is the backbone of coffee quality — and one of the biggest factors affecting the reliability and lifespan of espresso equipment.

This course gives students a practical, approachable foundation in water, filtration, and preventive maintenance, equipping them with skills that immediately improve coffee consistency, reduce equipment downtime, and strengthen café operations.

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What This Course Covers
1. Water for Coffee – The Essentials
Understand what’s actually in your water and why it matters.
Students learn:
•    Where dissolved minerals come from
•    Key water measurements: hardness, alkalinity, TDS, pH
•    How water composition affects extraction, flavor, and equipment wear
•    Recommended water ranges used in the specialty coffee industry
This ensures students know how water influences both coffee quality and machine health.

2. Filtration Basics & Real-World Application
A clear, practical introduction to how water filtration works in any café.
Students learn:
•    The purpose and role of a filtration system
•    Common filtration components and how they function
•    What filtration can and cannot remove
•    How filtration helps protect espresso machines from scale and corrosion
•    How to safely replace and maintain filter cartridges
This section focuses on universal principles, not specific filtration brands or technologies.

3. Hands-On Water Measurement
Students gain practical experience using essential water-testing tools:
•    Conductivity/TDS meters
•    Titration kits for hardness & alkalinity
•    pH meters
•    Test strips (chlorine, chlorides)
They also learn best practices for sampling and interpreting results — skills crucial for equipment protection and consistent brewing.

4. Preventive Maintenance for Espresso Machines
A practical introduction to the parts and components students will encounter in real cafés, including:
•    Group gaskets, screens, dispersion plates
•    Steam valves & steam-wand joints
•    Safety valves, anti-vacuum valves, water level probes
•    Signs of wear, leaks, and common failure points
•    Cleaning, inspection, replacement, and lubrication basics
Students build the confidence to keep machines running smoothly and safely.

5. Grinder Maintenance Fundamentals
Students learn the core elements of grinder care, including:
•    Hopper cleaning
•    Burr inspection and replacement
•    Cleaning the grinding chamber and exit chute
•    Understanding how buildup affects grind consistency
•    Lubricating and maintaining adjustment collars
These skills directly improve coffee consistency and grinder lifespan.

6. Technician Safety & Best Practices
Students are taught the professional habits expected in technical work:
•    Personal protective equipment
•    Chemical and heat safety
•    Safe lifting and equipment handling
•    Organizing a clean, food-safe workspace
•    Using the right tools for each task