I can't get a good coffee anymore

[davlee]

Over the past 2 months I can't get a good coffee with my Expobar which is now 2 years old. Up until 2 months ago I was delighted with my results. I have tried all sorts of adjustments with my grinder with no success. I have even tried different beans.
Could it help if I had the machine thoroughly cleaned by a professional?

[Bames]

yes it could

[shapeshifter]

Do you have a cleaning procedure yourself? not sure if they need backflushing. Definitely rule out the option by having it descaled if you can't do it yourself.

I think we all have periods of 'what the f...', sometimes it's as simple as the water you are using has changed and that's reflected in your coffee.

[Luke_G]

Backflushing and descaling the boiler alone is not enough.
Make sure you remove the shower screen cause that is where most of the solids collect.

Assuming everything is as clean as can be, it is possible that your pump pressure may have dropped slightly over time due to wear and tear.

[sprezzatura]

You can PM me if you like: I'm an Expobar technician and can give you some pointers for free.

[muppet_man67]

It could also be your grinder burrs need replacing.

[artman]

It would be strange for the burrs to degrade over a couple of months ? I would give it a good clean and check brew pressure and temp in gone first instance.

Cheers

[Dimal]

Backflushing and descaling the boiler alone is not enough.
Make sure you remove the shower screen cause that is where most of the solids collect.

Has always been enough for the machines I've owned over the years...

Proper regular backflushing procedure renders the Group Internals as spotless as that on a new machine; no need to remove the shower-screen until the Group Gasket needs replacing...

Mal.

[DesigningByCoffee]

Has always been enough for the machines I've owned over the years...

Proper regular backflushing procedure renders the Group Internals as spotless as that on a new machine; no need to remove the shower-screen until the Group Gasket needs replacing...

Mal.

Second this
With fresh water backflush after every brew and chemical flush once a week or so, I got 5 years out of a group head seal, and when I did change it there was not a hint of anything behind the showerscreen!

[Thundergod]

Can't hurt to check.
It's quite easy on my Expobar.

[Dimal]

Can't hurt to check.
It's quite easy on my Expobar.

True (and ditto with machines I've owned)....

But after checking my machines at ever increasing intervals, it became quite obvious that the application of good backflushing technique rendered the exercise moot. These days, I wouldn't remove the shower-screen more often than 6-monthly intervals, and that is mainly to check the Group Gasket, nothing else...

Mal.

[rmchenry]

Has always been enough for the machines I've owned over the years...

Proper regular backflushing procedure renders the Group Internals as spotless as that on a new machine; no need to remove the shower-screen until the Group Gasket needs replacing...

Mal.

Hi Dimal,
I have just taken delivery of my Expobar and have been very disappointed with the quality of the instructions that came with the machine.

Could you please let me know what you mean by "back flushing" and how to de-scale the machine.

[DesigningByCoffee]

Hi rmchenry
De-scaling may or may not be necessary very often, depending on water quality. I've never done it on my machine… and it's clean as a bell

As to back flushing, this is very important. You need the blind basket (no holes). I leave this in my single spout handle. Lock it in place after the shot, turn machine on for about 10 secs which pressurises and churns water through the group, then dumps water out of the purge valve at the bottom on the group when switched off. I then lock handle back in place lightly, turn machine back on and jiggle the handle up and down, lock and unlock which gets any coffee out from around the seal. That's it!

As to chemical backflushing once a week, when you buy a tub of machine detergent, it has the instructions on the back. Basically the same procedure, just a few more flushes in between with the detergent in place, then lots of fresh water flushes with no detergent.

Good luck!
Matt

[rmchenry]

Hi Matt,
Thanks for that information - most helpful. Zest in Berwick from where I bought the machine has the detergent - I will get some from them.