epengr Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Saskatoon Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Mon Apr 30, 2012, 6:35pm Subject: Oscar (newb) idea: add hot water tap?
So I've just made a deal for a used Oscar but I won't have it for a week or so. I've been reading all the treads I can find about it.
The one complaint / issue many seem to have with it is the lack of a hat water tap - mostly of concern if you're worried about regularly cycling the boiler water to prevent mineral build up and minimize scaling (because is may not be a very good source of water for americanos/tea anyways).
One thing I've never seen is anyone suggesting that one could be added. There is a drain plug/valve as I understand it, is there some reason that you couldn't plumb that out (or tee into it) to add something like this:
The boiler pressure would be adequate to feed hot water from any port below the water line (or too much? might need to add a restrictor?), wouldn't it?
There may be an obvious reason that this it not feasible. If so, let the flames fly ;).
Since I have an Oscar but don't HAVE it yet, all I can do is read and dream right now...
Posted Mon Apr 30, 2012, 9:04pm Subject: Re: Oscar (newb) idea: add hot water tap?
The idea of being able to drain the boiler on a regular basis is that if it is refilled with a low-mineral source of water (like softened water) it will leach minerals off the inside of the boiler and on the heating element. Sort of a reverse scaling. Having a hot water tap makes that a lot easier... or at least quicker and harder to forget.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 11:27am Subject: Re: Oscar (newb) idea: add hot water tap?
The counter point is though, once the minerals have come out of the water, there are no more to cause scale. Only by adding make up water are more minerals introduced. So, you will actually go LONGER between descaling procedures by not having and using a hot water tap as only make up water for steam is introduced if you do not use a hot water tap.
Hey, it is just something I read someplace and it seems to be logical. YMMV. I am NO expert ;-P
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
epengr Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Saskatoon Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 6:00pm Subject: Re: Oscar (newb) idea: add hot water tap?
calblacksmith Said:
The counter point is though, once the minerals have come out of the water, there are no more to cause scale. Only by adding make up water are more minerals introduced. So, you will actually go LONGER between descaling procedures by not having and using a hot water tap as only make up water for steam is introduced if you do not use a hot water tap.
You have to consdier that steam is pure distilled water, so if you take steam out and put anything but distilled water in then you're concentrating minerals in your boiler.
Now, whether the mineral scale depsoition rate is high enough to deplete the minerals in the boiler water... Maybe, if you don't steam very often. You'd actually be surprised how much water you can go through just steaming a small cap or two a day (not counting any brew water).
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon May 14, 2012, 7:31am Subject: Re: Oscar (newb) idea: add hot water tap?
epengr Said:
You have to consdier that steam is pure distilled water, so if you take steam out and put anything but distilled water in then you're concentrating minerals in your boiler.
Now, whether the mineral scale depsoition rate is high enough to deplete the minerals in the boiler water... Maybe, if you don't steam very often. You'd actually be surprised how much water you can go through just steaming a small cap or two a day (not counting any brew water).
The amount of steam make up water is no where near what you would use with a hot water tap. The minerals hit a balance too, and once they hit the "sweet spot" you will not get any more scaling from the water. This is the reason salt based water "softeners" work.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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