Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Thu Jun 28, 2012, 6:38pm Subject: Worried I broke my new investment!
So I accidentally put much too coarse grinds (leftover from my steam moka) into my Estro Vapore/Starbucks Barista and while it did brew (using a pressurized PF while I hunt down a decent grinder), it started gently leaking along the top front seam. I don't know if it was the group head or not, but it didn't look like it. The machine still works fine, and doesn't leak with my much finer "turkish" big box grind, but I'm worried I might have damaged it. I've been trying to do research and baby this machine, though it is used. Any thoughts?
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,640 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 Fri Jun 29, 2012, 6:03am Subject: Re: Worried I broke my new investment!
Just guessing as your description is not concise, I would guess that your group head gasket is getting worn or is old and hard. Combine that with not tightening it enough and it will leak from between the PF and the group head. The grind will not affect the pressure of a pressurized porta filter to any extent at all, that is why it is pressurized. I know you said you are looking for a grinder, I advise you to make that a very VERY high priority.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2012, 8:58am Subject: Re: Worried I broke my new investment!
Markarian Said:
So I accidentally put much too coarse grinds (leftover from my steam moka) into my Estro Vapore/Starbucks Barista and while it did brew (using a pressurized PF while I hunt down a decent grinder), it started gently leaking along the top front seam. I don't know if it was the group head or not, but it didn't look like it. The machine still works fine, and doesn't leak with my much finer "turkish" big box grind, but I'm worried I might have damaged it. I've been trying to do research and baby this machine, though it is used. Any thoughts?
When you put too much coffeee in portafilter, wheter coarse or fine, portafilter will not engage seal and machine will leak : no way you can damage machine... Still investement sounds too big a word for what is just entry level HOBBY...... Ciao, Pietro
zedex Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 126 Location: B.C Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz v2 Grinder: vario
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2012, 1:48pm Subject: Re: Worried I broke my new investment!
Back when i started espresso brewing(that may be a stretch) my first machine was the starbucks barista. At $250 on sale back then it was an investment for me. It lasted about 6 years and finally flew the coop. Looking back it was a decent starter machine,no regrets.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2012, 5:37pm Subject: Re: Worried I broke my new investment!
Normally I would look at the point where the PF meets the GH, but the water is coming from the seam on the casing itself on the upper right. It's a very slight leak, maybe a few drops per brew cycle, but I'm worried that it looks like it's coming from inside the machine itself. Is there another seal farther in that I should be worried about in that respect? Thanks for all the replies so far!
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2012, 7:46pm Subject: Re: Worried I broke my new investment!
Opened the machine, found the leak:
The boiler leaks every time it fills up, and then the water sits on top of the boiler until it heats up, steaming up to condense all over the inside of the casing, finally dripping down through the spot where I see it come out the machine.
Any tips? Would descaling possibly lessen the leak?
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