bassmannate Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 6:17am Subject: New Brikka problems
I just got my Brikka yesterday. Pulled it out and tried to get it going. I carefully measured the water and started. Water and steam started spurting out the side of the safety valve and the pot never got enough pressure to push water to the top.
So, I tried to tighten the nut on the valve but it just spins and doesn't get any tighter. It feels pretty tight to begin with.
I tried a little less water but still the same problem.
Does anyone else have this problem? Should I just send it back and get another?
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 6:48am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
It could possibly be that your grind is too fine.
I had this problem when I first tried a moka pot with Lavazza espresso grind right out of a can. Plugged up, nothing came out. I assume that the Brikka takes the same grind as any other moka-type pot, which should be slightly finer than for drip. Perhaps someone with more Brikka experience can be more specific.
bassmannate Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 7:00am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
Well, I thought that at first as well. However, I've tried more coarse grinds as well as trying to run it without coffee at all and it still does the same thing. With just water, it does EVENTUALLY come up but by then the water in the top pot is on the verge of boiling in the top pot. There is a little less steam spurting out and it doesn't come out of the top as quickly as I would expect.
JeffPersson Senior Member Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Goodyear, AZ Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Moka Pot Grinder: LaSanMarco SM-90A Vac Pot: Yama 8-cup Drip: VP17-2 Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Poppery I
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 6:55pm Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
How many times have you tried using it? The reason I ask is my new Bialetti 12-cup Moka did that the first time or two I used it and was fine after that. Not sure what the issue was, and when I contacted their customer support contact they told me to try it a couple more times and if it continued they would need to send me a replacement. I can't comment on the replacement process, because as I mentioned my pot fixed itself.
One thing to keep in mind is the Brikka is designed to built up the pressure for alot longer before the little topper cap releases and forcefully dispenses the coffee into the top compartment. Have you checked to see that the pressure cap is able to move properly?
bassmannate Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008, 5:03am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
Well, I tried a few times Friday night. I tried maybe 3-4 times yesterday. I might try a few more times today since I can't get ahold of anyone until tomorrow.
Something I found a bit strange what that it starts doing it almost as soon as I put it on the heat. At first I thought it was just water that was stuck under the valve nut starting to boil but I'm pretty sure after watching it a few times that it is steam coming out because it's the same spot as when the heat really gets going.
The pressure cap is moving freely. I can get water (just a little) if I reach in with a spoon and lift it. This is after it's been on the stove for 8-9 minutes which seems entirely too long for such a small pot.
JeffPersson Senior Member Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Goodyear, AZ Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Moka Pot Grinder: LaSanMarco SM-90A Vac Pot: Yama 8-cup Drip: VP17-2 Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Poppery I
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008, 8:05am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
I know my 12-cup Moka will take a good 20-min to start if I just put filtered tap water into it. I'm going to try preheating the water some to get the pot to speed up. As for the value some people have mentioned the older safety valves were a one shot use and once overpressured had to be replaced. If this continues I'm sure Customer Service will get it fixed for ya.
bassmannate Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008, 8:56am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
Ok, well, after a couple tries today I'm pretty convinced that the valve fitting is too loose. The second time I put it together to try, a couple drops of water came out from under the valve nut just from the pressure of sealing it. I'll try a couple more times this afternoon but I think I got a defective one.
Darn. And I was looking forward to this for the past week, too. Oh well. It sounds like bialettishop.com is pretty good about defective stuff and returns so I'll give em a call tomorrow.
bassmannate Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008, 7:30am Subject: Re: New Brikka problems
Good news. I just talked to the folks at bialettishop.com and after a few questions to make sure I'm using the pot correctly, they're sending a new one out today with a fedex label to send the old one back. Can't wait to get the new one.
I'm glad to see they are sending you the new one first and paying postage for the defect to be sent back. Let us know how the new one does, I've been hemming and hawing over whether to order one. They're just so cool to watch brew. :)
Well, it just got here and I made my first break in pot. Couldn't resist trying it. I don't normally drink coffee black but this stuff is pretty darn good! I can't wait till the pot is properly seasoned! I did have to jiggle the hat a bit after 6-7 minutes to get it to go but then it spewed forth is frothy goodness. I think I'll go make another.
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