Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Siliconslave · 20 Jul 2021 at 10:09

mid_gen said:
I'd rather drop the money on some burrs and a motor and use my mate's workship to build one for a fraction of the price

I'd like to see the result - thats basically what webber did but then commercializing it at a 'reasonable' price is neigh on impossible (the decent owner was saying the same thing - making a decent espresso machine cheaply wouldn't be any fun for him as would lower quality, move production out of his hands & ultimately they are doing well at the current price).

Lovely cups there tom

jpaul · 23 Jul 2021 at 16:04

My HX shots seem to be taking too long, with a low flow rate, low crema, shots not as tasty.

I haven't done any taking apart yet, but I had thought the opv valve was a problem delivering water at too low a pressure,
but, during cooling shot there is some steam, interruption, to the flow, and, the machine body seems hotter than normal
(the current weather doesn't help, maybe) so I think maybe water is getting too hot/boiling in the HX tube.

The pump is newish, so I don't suspect that.

I am going to see how much water comes back through the OPV overflow tube; if the opv is too low a pressure I expect to see a lot,
if the boiler is over temperature, I expect to see a little, possibly steam .

Is there something I'm forgetting , bad logic ?

adjusting the pressurestat(ie temperature) by half a turn might indicate if the pressurstat tube is blocked, and there is no effect,
but, my money, is on, disconnecting the pressure stat out and doing some cleaning.

jpaul · 24 Jul 2021 at 18:01

..contd.

couldn't undo the Siri solenoid/opv valve copper pipework, to pull it out and investigate, otherwise I'd be knee deep in that,
was afraid I would shear something off.

however noted that with blind filter the pump was unable to keep going - no noise at all, so I'm wondering if the pump has lost all its power,

I changed the pump 11months ago as I thought the previous one (from 2006) was noisy, for a 2019 dated one,
so I put the original pump back in, and it seems to work,
proper trial this evening, but, it is not dieing with a blind filter, and seems to have higher flow rate

Conclusion is, maybe this replacement pump was not as well made as the original one, which was marked made in Italy;
although it was 'only' £14, may contact seller I don't expect to renew a pump anually. - or ? counterfeit pump

Raymond Lin · 24 Jul 2021 at 18:21

Cleaned the Niche for the first time yesterday, super easy, it really is as simple as the video suggests. Brush and towel to wipe down and I was able to recalibrate back within 2 shots. Love this thing.

Spammeh · 24 Jul 2021 at 23:47

Hi All,

Looking to buy a bean to cup coffee machine and although I'd love to play around with coffee I simply dont have the time, but appreciate a good espresso / mocha. I've been looking at the Siemens EQ9 S500 - has anyone had the chance to see this in action anywhere?

jonneymendoza · 27 Jul 2021 at 11:58

Hi, i have a 'Profi' E61 double Porta Filter Holder by ECM - Angled Grip and i was wondering if its possible to take off the double spout and replace it with a single like this?
https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/single-porta-filter-spout-open-3-8.html

Dj_Jestar · 29 Jul 2021 at 11:23

They are usually just screwed on but many of the manufacturers do so with either thread loc or maybe when the pieces are still red hot from the forge, either way meaning you ain't getting them off without damaging them. I think some of the guys in this thread tried to get their spouts off (for different brand portafilters I think) but they just wouldn't budge.

jonneymendoza · 29 Jul 2021 at 11:47

Dj_Jestar said:
They are usually just screwed on but many of the manufacturers do so with either thread loc or maybe when the pieces are still red hot from the forge, either way meaning you ain't getting them off without damaging them. I think some of the guys in this thread tried to get their spouts off (for different brand portafilters I think) but they just wouldn't budge.

Ahh really? So I guess I gotta buy a whole complete one...

Begbie · 29 Jul 2021 at 11:50

jonneymendoza said:
Ahh really? So I guess I gotta buy a whole complete one...

Mines unscrews easily. Orginal Gaggia one. I'd try unscrewing it first.

heeeed · 29 Jul 2021 at 15:31

Raymond Lin said:
Cleaned the Niche for the first time yesterday, super easy, it really is as simple as the video suggests. Brush and towel to wipe down and I was able to recalibrate back within 2 shots. Love this thing.

was it very oily? Did it make any difference? I’ve never got round to cleaning mine. I’ll not lie I’m hoping you tell me it’s a waste of time and not another thing to add to maintenance schedule haha

Raymond Lin · 29 Jul 2021 at 15:44

heeeed said:
was it very oily? Did it make any difference? I’ve never got round to cleaning mine. I’ll not lie I’m hoping you tell me it’s a waste of time and not another thing to add to maintenance schedule haha

Not THAT oily but there are bits that is a bit caked in. Nothing a spray of Dettol on a towel then wipe off didn't remove.

I don't notice any performance difference but it's good to remove dirt, it's more like dirt as those grind are stuck on so not going to be exchange into a new cup. They are at the base of the burrs rather than the teeth. The teeth themselves are pretty clean.

At the bottom under the burrs there is a 3 blade scoop thing that spins remove all the grind from the chamber out to the chute. under that has some old grind which is stuck. Again, wipes straight off.

It's really a 5min job, very easy.

EH75 · 29 Jul 2021 at 18:40

Begbie said:
Mines unscrews easily. Orginal Gaggia one. I'd try unscrewing it first.

I would echo this. Took it off my gaggia ages ago to give more space for cups and make it easier to pour into a single cup. I did have to put the spout in a vice and then turn the handle to get it to come off though so if you have a vice that could be worth a go, gives you more leverage. Maybe put it in the machine for a bit first to get some heat through it might make it easier also.

jonneymendoza · 30 Jul 2021 at 12:22

EH75 said:
I would echo this. Took it off my gaggia ages ago to give more space for cups and make it easier to pour into a single cup. I did have to put the spout in a vice and then turn the handle to get it to come off though so if you have a vice that could be worth a go, gives you more leverage. Maybe put it in the machine for a bit first to get some heat through it might make it easier also.

Cool ok i will give thata go. no vice i have but my dad has one

EH75 · 30 Jul 2021 at 17:23

Yeah just be careful when you put it in, maybe wrap the spout in some cloth or something so there is less chance of marking or damaging it.

Raymond Lin · 30 Jul 2021 at 19:25

I couldn't remove the Brussels sprout, just bought another one with a single, and I also have a naked one….meaning I have 3 x portafilter lol

Dj_Jestar · 30 Jul 2021 at 21:07

Spout, not sprout. The latter is the small vegetable related to the common cabbage and associated with Christmas dinner

Raymond Lin · 30 Jul 2021 at 21:11

Ayahuasca · 2 Aug 2021 at 14:22

I need some new beans this week, anyone got any recent recommendations?

jonneymendoza · 8 Aug 2021 at 10:30

EH75 said:
Yeah just be careful when you put it in, maybe wrap the spout in some cloth or something so there is less chance of marking or damaging it.

No joy, could not get it off so off to buy a one with single

Grimley · 8 Aug 2021 at 13:29

Ayahuasca said:
I need some new beans this week, anyone got any recent recommendations?

https://www.independent.co.uk/extra...442224218&mc_cid=27b51a7015&mc_eid=06e5365530

Drinking the dark arts one right now. Very good for Espresso.