javajueckstock Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 104 Location: Sunfield, Mi Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario Vac Pot: na Drip: aeropress,
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:13am Subject: Oscar help!!
Hello, I bought a used Oscar and my espresso quality has been degrading for the last few months. No matter which espresso beans I use, I am getting very fast extractions. It starts nice, then turns to a blonde gusher in about 5 seconds. I descaled my machine, thinking maybe it is not getting up to temperature, but it didn't help. I finally gave up and took it apart. Here are two photos of the boiler, you can see how there is a crust around both sides, is there a way to take this apart and clean it, or am I beating a dead horse?
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,013 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:24am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Since you have it out it will be easy to clean with some citric acid or packaged descale solution.
Generally if a machine is producing gushers I personally would start with adjusting the grinder finer, the Vario might need to be recalibrated finer.you should be able to chock the Oscar with a Vario if it is calibrated correctly.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:25am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Yes, you could take it apart and clean or replace if needed. Look at the Oscar parts diagram on espressoparts.com or NS USA site. Both will sell you the boiler and heating element. I think you can find photos of full Oscar descales on this site or H-B. Your machine probably needs a good cleaning. Re-insulation of the boiler as well.
However, a blond gusher is normally grind or puck handling.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 500 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:35am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Your Vario pry needs to be calibrated or not on a setting for good espresso grind like German said. Did you check the calibration on it? Boiler wouldn't really be causing that issue though it does need a good cleaning and insulation.
javajueckstock Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 104 Location: Sunfield, Mi Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario Vac Pot: na Drip: aeropress,
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:36am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Thanks, I adjusted the vario as tight as I could and ground it down to baby powder consistency, but it just dribbles, then gushes. I thought maybe it was my tamping, but I have always had good espresso and I haven't changed anything in how I tamp or distribute. I agree, I would always start with the grind and the tamp...I have only had the Vario for a year, I have cleaned it twice, I don't think I should have to change the burrs yet...
The machine is trashed on the inside, rust, debris, I can't even take the ABS cover off...sigh. That is why I finally just took it apart, I figured I would never know if it was leaking or where unless I disassembled it.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 500 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 9:59am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
javajueckstock Said:
Thanks, I adjusted the vario as tight as I could and ground it down to baby powder consistency, but it just dribbles, then gushes. I thought maybe it was my tamping, but I have always had good espresso and I haven't changed anything in how I tamp or distribute. I agree, I would always start with the grind and the tamp...I have only had the Vario for a year, I have cleaned it twice, I don't think I should have to change the burrs yet...
The machine is trashed on the inside, rust, debris, I can't even take the ABS cover off...sigh. That is why I finally just took it apart, I figured I would never know if it was leaking or where unless I disassembled it.
Sounds like you ground it fine enough to almost choke if it's dripping, but the gushing part right after is odd. No way you have to replace the burrs, those are ceramic flat burrs, ton of life and durability in them. How old is the Oscar if it's that trashed?
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Aug 5, 2012, 10:21am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Mine did that dribbling and gushing right before I replaced my pump. But it sounded funny also. I suggest you clean the whole thing and insulate the boiler. Clean and check all the valves and then put it back together and give it a shot. I think your Oscar is probably worth fixing. If nothing leaks, clean and rust coat the frame. I had to do that on a 2 year old Oscar. It was just drips filling the tank in the back I believe. Use pipe sealant goop. Not tape.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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