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How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine?

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  • How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine?

    Im looking at either a good single boiler ie. silvia or a used semi-commercial 1 group HX machine. If I were to get the used machine, what would I need to do before using it ie. descaling, chemical backflush etc...

    The idea of getting a new silvia is a good one, but after playing around with a 3 group Vibiemme commercial one and the steam power it produces, Im more tempted with a used semi-commercial where the steam power will be heaps more powerful than a 300ml single boiler type.

  • #2
    Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

    Those are two extremes.
    Why not somewhere in between.
    My Expobar has a 1.7 litre boiler.
    Plenty of steam.

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    • #3
      Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

      Hi "NewToEspresso,"

      I suspect that youll need to change your screen name if you hang around here much longer

      I presume that by "semi-commercial," you mean something like the whole expobar/maver/giotto etc. class. These dont have anywhere near the steam power of a commercial machine. I think that I have used almost every machine in this class and the silvia that I had steamed milk just as quickly and forcefully as most of them, provided that I started steaming just before the light went out, so that the element was on whilst steaming. However, heating up the boiler after brewing took a few minutes. Personally, I think that if youre looking at spending HX money, you should be shopping based on the espresso that they produce. Steaming for milk is the easy part.

      Before starting up a used machine, you probably want to rip the top off (whilst the machine is cold and unplugged) and make sure that everything is actually connected, clean out the dirt and dispose of any cockroaches or rodents, living or otherwise, that might have taken up residence. A good descale and clean is probably then in order. In a really bad case, you might need to pull the machine apart and soak the relevant pieces in something like citric acid to get rid of all the scale.

      Hope that helps,

      Luca

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      • #4
        Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

        NewToEspresso, descaling and backflushing is something you have to do quite regularly to machines, not just before using.

        Backflushing probably daily, with chemicals fortnightly or so.

        Descalng depends on the hardness of the water supply and whether softened water has been used.

        So whether a Silvia or Expobar, Giotto etc, be prepared to do that.

        --Robusto

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        • #5
          Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

          Cockroaches?!? Geez! Ive got a phobia on them. That thought is enough to turn me off getting a used machine.

          By semi-commercial I meant Expobar, Bezerra BZ99, San Marino CK, Brugnetti Simona etc sort of class. Something that will fit in a small kitchen without causing it to stand out too much or look like a cafe bench because that would be detrimental to my marriage. I was oogling at a Mazzer grinder and my home affairs minister made it clear in no uncertain terms that the Mazzers (even the mini) has no place in the home. The Iberital Challenge was as big as she would accept. Ended up going the Gaggia MDF because of the smaller size.
          A machine like the Rancilio S24 was going to be too big. The other criteria which makes it all the more difficult is that its got to look good (women!) ie. lots of shiny stainless steel. The Silvia leads the pack in that department being relatively small, unassuming and yet classy. The E61s style machines are subject to the eye of the beholder. A typical CS-er may find that the most beautiful thing on their bench (or maybe a La Pavoni chrome peacock) but for the normal person, it may look like a villain on the Transformers movie.

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          • #6
            Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

            Size-wise, the Diadema machines are smaller than the Silvia. They also have an E-61, and are very shiny. The Unico Splendour arent too much bigger, and they have a nice retro look to them. Theyre both sold by a site sposor (Cosmorex), so you shouldnt have any problems with after-sales support.

            Better yet, no cockroaches.

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            • #7
              Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

              Originally posted by nunu link=1185779669/0#5 date=1185843563
              Size-wise, the Diadema machines are smaller than the Silvia.  They also have an E-61, and are very shiny.  The Unico Splendour arent too much bigger, and they have a nice retro look to them.  Theyre both sold by a site sposor (Cosmorex), so you shouldnt have any problems with after-sales support.

              Better yet, no cockroaches.
              Correcting you there. All Diadema/Unico are larger than a Silvia but are on a small fooprint- compared to say a VBM. We have a great deal on them for the month: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163933911/4#4. Dimensions of all can be found in the .pdf flyers on our website http://www.talkcoffee.com.au/equipment/coffee-machines.php

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              • #8
                Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                Oops...they are taller, but the footprint is smaller.

                Youll also have no problems with after-sales support from Chris too.

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                • #9
                  Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                  I recently bought a used 1-group HX commercial machine (Wega Airy EPU)...its gonna be too large for your - er - "requirements", but I can heartily recommend the commercial route if at all possible...bucket loads of steam, the convenience of plumbed in and out, beautiful shots and built to last practically forever in the home environment...best of all is NIL upgrade fever.

                  Incredibly lucky for me is that SWMBO is completely happy with the loss of kitchen room, as the above points have won her over! Perhaps you need to upgrade to marriage 1.1?

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                  • #10
                    Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                    The plumbing thing may be a factor too. Is it possible to plumb in a commercial machine yourself or do you need to have a plumber come in and do it? The BOSS may not take too kindly to having tubes running everywhere and holes made to the kitchen benchtop to run the plumbing.... Shes not crazy enough about coffee to change her mind.

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                    • #11
                      Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                      easy answer to getting what you want, its called jewelery (doesnt apply is all cases)
                      luckily she who has great ideas doesnt care as long as she gets her coffee
                      she gets what she wants anyway
                      good luck dude

                      back on topic we noticed tnight when working out where wed put a machine that the sink we have has a mixer and a blanking plate on the sink, we are hoping that maybe we can run thru those..

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                        Depending on the machine, you may need to feed through a water hose and a drip tray hose too, and possibly the power lead.

                        Plumbing is not a problem for anyone handy with a spanner.  As  long as there is a dishwasher or sink nearby within ready access.  Its a fairly simple process to install t-connectors and tap into that with a flexible braided hose.

                        -Robusto

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                        • #13
                          Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                          Agreed....although I am fairly handy with spanners etc. for the purposes of car repair, Id never done any plumbing and had the whole job done, water filters included, in a couple of hours (which included a couple of trips to the plumbing store for bits I forgot along the way).

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                          • #14
                            Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                            Ahhh.......I will respectfully disagree with perhaps all of you here and say that you should NOT have to do anything before using, and the last thing you should do is start pulling bits off of it and getting into stuff you are not familiar with.

                            If you are new to espresso machines and buy a used machine, you should NOT buy unless you have seen it running, in the flash, in front of you, producing a commercial quality coffee. If you dont know, take someone with you that does. Ie even if you dont know what youre looking atm you can see that it runs and apparently does what its supposed to.

                            Then you disconnect, pull off bench and take home and reconnect.

                            So the idea is, you dont prep it, or it shouldnt need "prepping, it should be running...

                            The idea then is to find out what you can about proper use and management of the machine, and go from there.

                            Please please please please please, dont buy others rubbish or machines that dont run or dont run properly. The theory is you spend more money up front, and enjoy.

                            Regardz.
                            FC.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: How do you prep a used semi-commercial machine

                              FC, with respect, I disagree with you!

                              I think more than half the reason why people buy these types of machines is NOT about buying a bargain, but about the satisfaction of working on a project and seeing it come to fruition, then enjoying the outcome.

                              If we all took this particular advice you offer, then one may extrapolate and say we should all by our beans ready made rather than ever trying to home roast. I think not!

                              Whats happened to your spirit of adventure?

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