Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Excellent news g62.... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Now, the journey can really begin 8-) [smiley=laugh.gif],
Mal.
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
[smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]My pours are consistent and Im getting a much nicer crema so I figure maybe the fractured pucks were screwing things up a bit.
Got my soggy puck issue sorted out now too.
We like happy people that enjoy the ride
KK
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Got an even lower profile stainless screw yesterday and have been monitoring my pucks by loading, tamping then carefully removing the loaded basket and holding it up to the group head seal, then inspecting it.
No more fractured pucks like I was getting with the standard harbour bridge bolt.
My pours are consistent and Im getting a much nicer crema so I figure maybe the fractured pucks were screwing things up a bit.
Got my soggy puck issue sorted out now too.
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
I changed it to a lower profile dome head screw today. Its stainless steel and uses a philips head screwdriver. I have a nice short one which makes removal super easy.Originally posted by speleomike link=1217330489/20#21 date=1217407018Hi
If you stick with the hex head one you will be able to remove the showerscreen and clean under it easier. Just do it up finger tight as others say.
Yes I knowOriginally posted by speleomike link=1217330489/20#21 date=1217407018The bolt is not the problem causing soggy pucks.
Mike
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Hi
If you stick with the hex head one you will be able to remove the showerscreen and clean under it easier. Just do it up finger tight as others say. The bolt is not the problem causing soggy pucks.
Mike
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Thats a great idea!! I learn somethin new each time I come hereOriginally posted by Koffee Kosmo link=1217330489/0#18 date=1217387252To help with jumping beans in the hopper
Fill a balloon with rice or coffee beans to the appropriate size for your hopper tie it off
Place that on top of the beans while grinding
It provides enough weight and stops beans from jumping
I did a comparison about 15 mins ago. Ive been grinding too fine and I actually stalled the machine this morning. Ive gone up a cuppla clicks, its on the low side of 13 now. The shot I just poured was pretty good, but still have soggy pucks.Originally posted by Koffee Kosmo link=1217330489/0#18 date=1217387252Remember grind should be about the size of table salt as a start point
KK
I get a lot more water through the double basket so I reckon Id need to cut it short at about 15 - 20 seconds.Originally posted by Bullitt link=1217330489/0#19 date=1217387736OK, using the single basket isdifficultnigh impossible with the standard 7g basket, (probably very difficult with a 9g) on a Silvia, so much so that most of us dont bother.
It is easier to dose and tamp the double basket, and then......
you can either;
- cut your pour shorter, ristretto style, should give a richer sweeter shot, which doesnt necessarily have more caffeine, as caffeine content is related to the length of brewing, or pour time, or,
- using the double spout, only catch from one side, and let the other side pour into the drip tray.
Then you should have less trouble with the soggy pucks.
Yeah I took mine out last night. It wasnt very tight and I only did it up gently when I screwed it back in.Originally posted by Bullitt link=1217330489/0#19 date=1217387736Regarding the bolt head, I use a round bead screw (not countersunk) looks much nicer, and does the job fine. If you clean your shower screen regularly, as you should, and only tighten the screw up finger tight it will never get stuck.
Bullitt
Heading into town soon so Ill see if I can match it up at the local bolt shop
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
OK, using the single basket isdifficultnigh impossible with the standard 7g basket, (probably very difficult with a 9g) on a Silvia, so much so that most of us dont bother.
It is easier to dose and tamp the double basket, and then......
you can either;
- cut your pour shorter, ristretto style, should give a richer sweeter shot, which doesnt necessarily have more caffeine, as caffeine content is related to the length of brewing, or pour time, or,
- using the double spout, only catch from one side, and let the other side pour into the drip tray.
Then you should have less trouble with the soggy pucks.
Regarding the bolt head, I use a round bead screw (not countersunk) looks much nicer, and does the job fine. If you clean your shower screen regularly, as you should, and only tighten the screw up finger tight it will never get stuck.
Bullitt
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
To help with jumping beans in the hopper
Fill a balloon with rice or coffee beans to the appropriate size for your hopper tie it off
Place that on top of the beans while grinding
It provides enough weight and stops beans from jumping
Remember grind should be about the size of table salt as a start point
KK
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
I had to take the standard 7 gram (?) basket back to the shop because my tamper didnt fit and the nice lady swapped it for a 9 gram (dunno the brand) which fits perfectly and holds exactly the right amount of coffee for a standard sized latte.Originally posted by Koffee Kosmo link=1217330489/0#16 date=1217385440Good on ya ronk
Rebuster has the right idea above
And if you like extra strong coffee you can get a triple basket

How is the grinding coming along?
KK
The standard double basket was to big for a single shot (gave me the jitters) and slightly too small for making 2 shots so I havent been using it.
I may buy a larger double one day, but theres prolly not much point as its usually only me Im making coffee for. My wife drinks instant and only has one cup per day at brekky time.
Grinding? Well Im learning a lot about the idiosyncrasies of my 0480. The grind can vary a touch depending on the amount of beans in the hopper. Too few and theres no weight on the beans being ground to stabilise the feed.
It needs to have at least a cuppla inches of beans to give consistent grinds results. The instruction manual mentions this.
Also fresh beans give a slightly more "damp" grind than beans that have been sitting in the hopper for a day or so and have "dried out" a little.
A lot of people say theres not enough adjustment on the 0480 but if you look at the way the burr adjustment mechanism works youll see it is a constantly variable threaded design. The position "clicks" just lock it into place at a particular point of the thread. If this is not quite the right spot its easy to go halfway between clicks.
Close enough is good enough for me anyway
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Good on ya ronk
Rebuster has the right idea above
And if you like extra strong coffee you can get a triple basket

How is the grinding coming along?
KK
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Wow! Thanks for all the good advice
Ill try all your suggestions and see how I go.
Im still really enjoying the coffees Im getting from the Silvia even if the pucks are a bit sloppy and my dosing and tamping aint quite right yet.
Its all a learning curve and Im in no hurry. I have no doubt within a few weeks Ill have it all down pat
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Gronk
The best thing you can do with a Silvia is get a 14g basket.
Compared the 12g that ships with the machine, the bottom of the 14g will sit lower, hence you will hold more coffee.
The resulting coffee is much better and it is much easier to get repeatable pours.
I prefer ridgeless baskets because they are easier to fill, easier to tamp [I believe] and the puck knocks out clean.
Sometimes you need change the PF spring to a more heavy duty one, but this will cost under $2.00.
Since you have a Pullman Tamper [with a serial number between the base and handle.....just unscrew it] you could consider ordering one of their ridgeless synesso baskets.
If you quote your serial number [they can reference the machined diameter to this] you may have a better chance of getting a basket closer matched to your tamper.
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Ive been wanting to do something like this on my Silvia for a while, but I dont have a screwdriver to fit under the group head for removal. Ive been using a ratchet. Spose it will have to wait until I can be bothered to get hold of some small screwdrivers. :
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Id just check with the vendor from whom you bought the Silvia, explain the problem and the suggested fix before you go ahead. If its OK with the vendor, ask them to send you an email or fax to go ahead and clearly stated within, that it (the screw exchange) will NOT affect the warranty. If they have a problem with you swapping the screws (hardly a mod really), ask them to do it for you. :-?Originally posted by gronk62 link=1217330489/0#4 date=1217333307I reckon Ill try to match a nice low stainless pan head screw. Thanks for the suggestion
I really cant see how it would affect the warranty though since you have to remove the shower-screen on a regular basis for cleaning and maintenance. Whats the difference if you screw in a neat little countersunk screw (thats what it used to be as Greg mentioned) as opposed to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Bolt. Seems downright silly to me......
It seems a sensible thing to do but you never know with manufacturers and their warranties. An authorised dealer should be able to sort it out for you though mate,
All the best,
Mal.
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Re: Why does the head protrude so far....
Ok so its pretty normal then. I was originally a bit concerned mine might have been a bodgy build.
Im currently reading a thread about wet pucks, under and over dosing and finer or coarser grind. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1135281570
Most of my pucks have sloppy muddy tops and kinda plop out like a soggy biscuit. Been trying to figure out how to tackle this problem..
gronk
Give this a try
Your coffee grind should have a starting point of table salt and adjust + or - as required
KK
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