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PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

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  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    its working now..

    service dude...

    made an adjustment on pressure stat.

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    The problem with measuring temperature on a HX or a thermoblock machine is these units are ONLY dynamically stable (and that applies to measuring by hand as well).

    To get a real temperature water must be flowing through the HX or themoblock at the correct rate (the same rate as you extract) - just pushing the brew button without coffee in the PF will cause the water to flow through at the "water deficit" rate - which is many times the true extraction rate.

    At this rate of flow the water will be cooler - far cooler. That is why special PFs have been designed which restrict the water flow as if a coffee puck was in the basket. The probe (which is a small thermocouple junction - not a large metal "wand") is placed right where the water comes out of the showerscreen.

    As several people found, measuring the temp the way you are trying to with thermoblocks produced readings which were low- way too low - because of lack of control of the water flow rate..... and a HX is the same.... you need to get the flow rate correct.

    Some people have had success with a small bead type thermocouple which they have fed into the basket (loaded with coffee), laid the bead on top of the puck and locked the basket in place- the lead must be very thin to get through the PF seal without damaging the seal and creating a leak.

    But at the rate of flow you have temperatures will be low - way low!!!

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Hey guys..so i contacted chris coffee.

    and basically..he says i have too measure temps in the porta with a fluke temp.monitor.

    I used a digital thermometer at the base of the porta and a manual one...

    I mean i can put my goddam fingers in the water and its not hot enough to bother me.

    SO that should be the marker that something is wrong.

    I dont need a fluke monitor?

    CHeese louise.

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    pravspresso,

    You cant measure the temperature with the probe just below the PF..... it needs to be in the PF (ideally sitting on top of the puck)..... and there are special devices to do that.... The rate of flow must also be correct 30ml in 30 sec.... or the temperature will be lower (water doesnt spend long enough in the HX)

    The only (relatively inaccurate) method to do it without the special PF is to use a foam cup with the probe in the bottom of it.... held right up into the group assembly where the PF would go..... and that will also generally indicate lower temperature as well due to the flow rate being too high (and if the water falls through air at all the temperature will also drop).

    I think the error is more likely caused by technique used to measure rather than an actual machine fault....

    The proof is in the cup - does the espresso produced taste sour?.... if not the temperature is probably OK.

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: flushing routine

    I need professional help for sure.

    And thanks for the pressure issue thing..im still a newbie.

    I will get it checked...

    I was wondering though..the thermosyypphhonnnn...is that automatic???..

    I only have one button..the brew button..I press it for about 30-45 seconds and hold the digital temp monitor just below

    portafilter but the temps never change..always 154F....only once after an entire night of sitting there..it got to 180F.

    and then subsequently dropped to 154F again..after doing blind pulls.

    I dont know about the thermosyph..i know it has one..but those flushes are when i do blind pulls..no?

    i did a series of blind pulls..which should have got temps up. but didnt...of course i gave some lag time..for it too heat up

    again and the boiler was flickering on and off during this time.

    I guess it must be boiler pressure?

    Leave a comment:


  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Does the machine have a gauge on it- the boiler pressure would read something between 1 and 1.3 bars- thats steam pressure not brew pressure (which is the 9 bars you are talking about). Boiler pressure is what decides the heat of your water, both throught the hx tubes (coffee) and the steam.

    Re the steam- steam is steam- it must be very hot to even be steam. What makes it not seem hot is that you are dealing with relatively dry steam and so it doesnt burn as much as wet steam.

    You still havent mentioned if you have done the flush through the group head until the water no longer dances and sizzles. This may be what you need to bring the temperature up (if you arent doing it). I really cant see the point of bleeding steam except for steaming milk. It wont affect the brew temperature, just the wetness of the steam.

    It may also be that the boiler pressure is set way too low- my understanding is that this machine doesnt have a boiler gauge. It may need a service, but let us know about your flushing routine first. I think unless the flushing helps, you need some professional advice.
    Brett

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Hi guys,

    He had it tested 2 weeks ago at 9bar pressure. Is that the answer you needed?

    I followed his instructions for bleeding steam waiting 15min. and doing a blind pull.

    Then waiting and doing another pull. This did nothing to change temps. Still at 150sF.

    Last night i left it on all night..came downstairs..and did a first pull at 180F.

    I thought this worked but the subsequent blind pull w/portafilter in came out at 154F.

    So i sat there and waited for 10minutes and did another pull..at 150sF again.

    I turned the steam valve on and off to get the boiler to click on and off..

    I have noticed something however...im not sure if this is normal.

    I can put my hand under the billowing water fall like steam and its not burning hot.

    Its spewing steam insanely but the steam is not ultra ultra hot..Although i did steam

    two 10oz tubs of milk in like 30 seconds and they were up to temperatures of 150F

    170F in no time flat..SO that probably means nothing...

    DID this info. help?

    Im a little pissed right now.

    Leave a comment:


  • kaanage
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Originally posted by telemaster link=1180485866/0#10 date=1181282146
    ps what pressure is the steam boiler running at ( you said new pressurestat fitted)?
    Thatd be my 1st suspicion too. You said the previous owner replced it with a commercial one but did he/she have it adjusted correctly? As an indicator, how is the steam pressure?

    Leave a comment:


  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Many group heads need heating- depends on whether thermosyphoned or not (water being cycled around inside of head). This is all part of the hx flush I talked about before- You need to flush to rid the pipes of water that is superheated because of sitting in the steam boiler (designed to be at temp when running fairly constantly as in a cafe situation) but also in some cases to heat the head.
    Unless of course you mean the water running out after an hx flush was only 73C (165F).
    Dont panic- unless something is seriously wrong, it may be the old bit about unfamiliar machines landing you on your bum until you know their idiosyncracies. You wouldnt be the first and certainly not the last!
    If you explain in more detail about the temp, how measured, after what process etc, Im sure sometone will be able to advise you.
    Also if you are on an unfamiliar machine, it will pretty often make inferior coffee- remember it is barista (including familiarity with the machine as much as their technique) then a mix of machine and coffee that decides the results.
    Brett
    ps what pressure is the steam boiler running at ( you said new pressurestat fitted)?
    This link may be of use:
    http://www.themeyers.org/HomeRoast/Topic12527.htm

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   WHAT IS

    IT WAS TOO GOOD TOOOO BE TRUUEEEEEE>....

    Everything works..except the temperatures at the grouphead were only 165F max even after 2hrs of heating time.????????

    Is this a bad heating element? Steam was insane.Porta as hot as ever. Pump worked fine, lights all reflected inner workings properly.

    As a note: former user had it on 24/7 using soft water and did have the heating element replaced after 1yr as well as the pstat with a commercial one.

    Woz with me.

    My gaggia outshined the oscar in a heartbeat in terms of shot quality. But of course
    the oscar only had 165F!!!!!! at group.

    OMG.

    WHAT IS GOING ON????

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Sounds like youve done really well there prav 8-),

    Once youve got her dialled in (wont take too long) Im pretty sure youre going to be stoked with the quality of the brew. All the best mate ,

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    I have to add this in.

    I just got it..and the seller....amazing guy.

    Gave me four new gaskets to replace every year as well a convex tamper and another high end

    tamper..of which the cost was around 220 buckaroos.

    Im stoked.

    It was packaged superbbblyyy...in a "la scala" box with all the fixins of foam.

    cheers!

    Leave a comment:


  • pravspresso
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Yello.

    I have the Rancilio Rocky. Its been a true workhorse.

    I have heard of the flush issue. Ill read up some more.

    Being new to the HX system.. i looked at the hydraulic schematic.

    How often does one have to descale?? My instructions suggest using the soft water

    to extend life of element. I dont have access or $$ to get soft water going. I also

    heard that distilled water is not suggested because the electronic fill detector will not

    work with distilled water.

    cheers all.

    Leave a comment:


  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    Originally posted by pravspresso link=1180485866/0#3 date=1180973410
    I GOT IT!!!!

    he replaced the p-stat with a commercial one..boiler element blew..had it replaced and had heavy duty wiring installed

    under warranty.

    Im ready for some HX espresso now!!! instead of my gaggia!!!...

    Gentleman if you have any advice for me on my new journey with the OSCAR..please dont hesitate to advise.

    cheers!!
    All the best. Let us know how you get on. Remember any new machine will probably land you on your face until you get it ready. Any of the machines you mentioned will give you room to grow. Have you seen this article on the hx flush- if you dont do it you may be disappointed with over temp coffee (please ignore the advice if you are familiar with it already)?:
    http://www.home-barista.com/hx-love.html
    Brett

    Leave a comment:


  • Wushoes
    replied
    Re: PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE..

    heh! nice work...what grinder have you paired it with?

    Leave a comment:

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