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I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

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KillerQ
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Jan 2008
Posts: 145
Location: Madison, WI
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Saeco Barista
Grinder: Capresso Infinity 565
Drip: Manual Cone Drip

Posted Fri Jan 11, 2008, 1:25pm Subject: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

Hey all, As you may know, today I am the proud owner of a lightly-used Starbucks Barista. Honestly, my only concern was the pressurized PF. I was all worried about finding a non-pressurized PF online, and at what price, etc - until... Until I disassembled the PF to clean it, and realized that it's literally one step to remove the ENTIRE pressure regulator, and it comes out in one piece (see picture below). Sooo, I just did it. I know there are other threads on this -- but I feel my new pic may help a bit. I just unscrewed the screws on the bottom of the PF, popped the pressure mechanism off with a flathead screwdriver, removed the plastic disc (and orange gasket) in the inside-bottom of the PF basket (optional) and that's it. Then I just put it back together! Since it came out in one piece, I can put it back in at anytime. I hope this may have helped someone a bit.... Thanks, Matt! (Click for larger image)

katthree3
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2003
Posts: 45
Location: illinois
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: expobar pulsar
Grinder: Astra

Posted Fri Jan 11, 2008, 2:47pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

Isn't that just gross the gunk inside those portafilters. Biggest reason to depresurize or buy a new portafilter that doesn't have that dirt catching gizmo. Kat

wildlyesoteric
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Oct 2007
Posts: 113
Location: Salmon Arm, BC
Expertise: Pro Barista

Espresso: Breville Cafe Roma
Grinder: Mazzer Major
Vac Pot: Bodum Santos
Drip: Swissgold
Roaster: Milwaukee HG/DB

Posted Fri Jan 11, 2008, 4:07pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

holy shit I can't believe they stuff that thing in the portafilter

fancy_pilot
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 81
Location: Iowa
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Saeco Classico
Grinder: Gaggia MDF

Posted Fri Jan 11, 2008, 5:44pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

I just depressurized my Saeco Classico by removing the spring and look at the mottled crema that I got. Previous, I had nothing close to this. The mechanism on mine looks identical (as it should), so I think I will try to remove the entire thing. How much pressure does it take to pry loose? Andy (Click for larger image)

KillerQ
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Jan 2008
Posts: 145
Location: Madison, WI
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Saeco Barista
Grinder: Capresso Infinity 565
Drip: Manual Cone Drip

Posted Fri Jan 11, 2008, 5:55pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

Andy, Little to now pressure is necessary. You won't have to force it, if that's what you're asking... Let us know, Matt!

wideasleep1
Senior Member

Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 1,399
Location: San Francisco,Ca
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo
Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario
Vac Pot: nope
Drip: Bodum Press
Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor

Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 4:49am
Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

KillerQ Said:

Andy,

Little to now pressure is necessary. You won't have to force it, if that's what you're asking...

Let us know,

Matt!

Posted January 11, 2008 link

Remove basket..I unscrewed the 3 screws, revealing the pressure apparatus-spring with plug, and a white plastic surround which serves to distribute and aerate the pour. This setup is rather fragile, but I discovered a quick method that preserves it for easy reinstall: remove spring from plug, swing hinged plug away from center, using large phillips screwdriver, insert driver in the middle and firmly/gently push downward to release the brown, gasketed pressure disk inside the PF, just enough pressure to clear the white clips that secure it. Carefully flip the PF over and inspect the brown,gasketed disk, then back over again to see if the white setup can be nudged free..if so remove it, if not, push the brown disk a little bit more. Once clear, I also removed the brown disk, it serves no purpose in our 'new' PF. Reassemble the plastic bottom pour spout with the three screws, and you now have a non-pressurized PF...a good thing if and only if you know how to tamp (and have an appropriate tamper).

KillerQ
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Jan 2008
Posts: 145
Location: Madison, WI
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Saeco Barista
Grinder: Capresso Infinity 565
Drip: Manual Cone Drip

Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 8:19am
Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

wideasleep1 Said:

Posted January 12, 2008 link

I didn't need to remove the disc first in order to remove the white clip -- i simply removed it after. Obviously, widealseep's method works too...

Once again, I was surprised how easy this was. And unless i prefer metal spouts, I don't see any reason to order a replacement especially since the OEM PF is so heavy duty-feeling.

On a side note, has anyone tried using washers, plugs, etc to prevent the PF from rotating the inch or so that it does? I know its a matter of using a few washers to cause them to put pressure against the plastic body -- or to insert something into the 'screw tracks' to prevent them from moving... No biggie just wondering.

Also, fo those who own the Barista, after you have the PF secured on the machine, and your handle is "sprung back" is the handle to the right bit -- or is it exactly center? Mine is a bit the the right. Function-wise, it's fine -- just a bit to the right...

Later,

Matt!

Jdiz
Senior Member

Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Posts: 51
Location: CO
Expertise: Pro Barista

Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 5:41pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

I had the same question regarding how "tight" to insert the portafilter in the Starbucks Barista. With this machine, it seems like the harder you push, the tighter the PF goes. Unlike what I assume happens on some conventional machines, where the PF may just lock out at a certain point. I'm wondering how tight I need to put the PF on? Do I want space between the group head and the tamped espresso? Do I want them touching? Should there be pressure on the espresso? Any help would be greatly appreciated......

wideasleep1
Senior Member

Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 6:45pm
Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

Jdiz Said:

I had the same question regarding how "tight" to insert the portafilter in the Starbucks Barista.

With this machine, it seems like the harder you push, the tighter the PF goes. Unlike what I assume happens on some conventional machines, where the PF may just lock out at a certain point.

I'm wondering how tight I need to put the PF on? Do I want space between the group head and the tamped espresso? Do I want them touching? Should there be pressure on the espresso? Any help would be greatly appreciated......

Posted January 12, 2008 link

I always held Baristas side with my right hand, using my left hand (weaker for me) to force the PF, just past the point where Barista pressures my right hand. The PF makes it to the 4 o'clock position at this point, and springs back into approx. 5 o'clock. This would be tight enough certainly to prevent leaks, but still easy to remove PF for shots. WRT heeadroom, a properly dosed and tamped load should give you just over an 1/8 inch headroom, and this amount shouldn't be felt when locking the load. If you can feel the load, you've likely slightly overdosed.

kocheez75
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Jan 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Seattle
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Sun Jan 13, 2008, 12:00am
Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)

KillerQ Said:

I just unscrewed the screws on the bottom of the PF, popped the pressure mechanism off with a flathead screwdriver, removed the plastic at the inside-bottom of the PF basket (optional) and that's it.

Posted January 11, 2008 link

How did you remove the plastic at the bottem? Or are you referring to the on with the gasket? Could you please post some more pictures of your finished PF? I'm trying to go through this step-by-step. Thanks.

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