You can buy parts for Breville espresso machines online if you are handy. See link below. I know they are also compiling a list of service centers (for descale) in each region. Breville's ESPRESSO reputation is riding on this machine, especially with the prosumers. So far its looking good. I am guessing the support will be good for this machine even out of warranty. We are all crossing our fingers.
I wonder if anyone's yet replaced the PF gasket on this machine. It's a softer material than commonly used, right? It doesn't sound difficult:
"Remove the silicone seal with your fingers or a pair of long-nose pliers. Insert the new seal, flat side first, so the ribbed side is facing you."
Perhaps the softer sealing material requires frequent replacement (6-month intervals?) when the machine is heavily used. My PF hasn't started slipping, but I've noticed the "neutral" position is further to the right than when it was new. Unfortunately, the only "parts" listed on the Breville USA website today are water filters, a knockbox, and the naked PF (out of stock). I should try calling their support number.
{edited to add -- I see where recommended gasket change intervals for some other machines is quarterly. That may be a recommendation for commercial users, but still; I wonder how often Breville anticipates this seal should be replaced?}
Having read through all the previous posts, I am still having difficulty with my new machine. First, I can not get the pressure above 7 and I cannot get the time to exceed 20 seconds, including the 10 seconds for pre-infusion time. If I make the grind more fine, I just get a few drips of liquid. I have also experimented with tamping more less pressure, but that does not seem to effect the outcome. I have also tried different coffees, and no effect. I am weighing the coffee precisely, using 18 grams. On another issues, my shots are less then one ounce. Should I manually try to reprogram this, and if so, what is easiest way to do this. I am using a Capresso Infinity grinder. Thanks, and sorry if these are old questions, but, i just can't seem to get it right.
Des, just to echo what others said in your other thread, your grinder isn't a capable espresso grinder. At best, it's borderline, but you might be able to calibrate it to grind finer. I'd seriously look into another grinder; even if you can get it to grind fine enuf, it's not really suited for espresso. Decent non espresso grinder tho.
Also, how old is the coffee your using? As in how far past the date it was roasted.
I have owned two Breville DB machines (home and office) paired with Vario for 7 months now. They consistently produce wonderful espresso and have great usability features. If you can get them as I did for $900 each, it is difficult not to recommend getting one.
Of course a $2300 machine is going to be better. If you have the budget and you need it to last 7-8 years, a proven manufacturer of solid, serviceable machines is going to be a good choice. But personally, I will be very happy if my machines last 5 years, then I get to upgrade ;-)
this is why the Breville is so strong in my eyes...Even if it last 5 years, I can buy another one after 5 years I may even safe money over a vivaldi. I need to remind myself of this.
I've been using the included water softeners that come with the machine, but once they are used up, can I just forget about the Breville softeners and use water from my under the sink reverse osmosis system? From what I understand, espresso machines need some hardness to work properly and for taste. And correct me if I'm wrong, reverse osmosis systems removes most but not all hardness (which is why RO water still has > 0 TDS).
Home RO systems remove most but not all dissolved solids. I believe there'd be a minimal risk to going to un"soften"ed RO water, but I also think the cost of the softener filters is low enough not to warrant taking that (minimal) risk.
So, I'll be ordering replacements from Breville rather than looking for a substitute. (After all, they're one of the three or four `parts' that are actually available on the brevilleusa website.) (I also wouldn't hold out much hope of finding a substitute shaped to fit the softener-holder that's part of the reservoir.)
So I'm just curious, since I never remove my water tank, filling from the front, how do you keep track of the replacement date? Certainly the date reminder wheel on the top of the filter holder is of little use. I time it the same as my Britta pitcher which also suggests a 2 month change.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 