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 Aug 6, 2012, 6:08am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
The problem you describe is one of beans and grind but since the machine is apart anyway, it looks like it is due for a major clean up. All the pieces such as heater etc are removable and once the boiler is stripped down, a bath in citric acid will clean things up nicely, it may take several days to do but as you are doing the boiler, remove the rest and do it too.
BTW, tamping is the least important part of the process. Just make the puck consistent and all will be well, You can not alter the water flow to any major degree by tamping.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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 19, 2012, 7:01am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
Does anyone know how to actually get the heating element out of the boiler? I took a Dremel to the spot where the element comes out and I can't tell if the element screws in or if it is attached with some sort of sealant/adhesive. Any ideas?
"Mine did that dribbling and gushing right before I replaced my pump. But it sounded funny also."
My pump has been sounding funny as well...I suppose I have gone without espresso for a while, I might as well do a full restoration on it...
Posted Sun Aug 19, 2012, 7:38am Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
It just so happens that I had to replace my heating element on my Oscar about a month ago (I had a descale go horribly wrong and I wound up burning out the element - DOH!!!). I used a 15" flex handle and a 30mm socket and the element unscrews normally (turn to the left). The hardest part is probably just taking off the bottom part of the body shell (you have to disconnect the water pump and remove the Gicar box). I had a friend hold the boiler as still as possible while I tried to remove the element...it came out rather easily too without much force or fuss. I bought a replacement element from Chris' Coffee and I opted for the Isomac element which was cheaper at $49 compared to the NS element at $69 (don't forget to buy a new gasket too). The Isomac element is rated at 1400w (200w more than the NS one) so my Oscar has slightly quicker recovery/heating times than before. Good luck with the removal! It's not difficult at all.
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 19, 2012, 3:48pm Subject: Re: Oscar help!!
I followed your directions and got the heating element out. It looks clean...no calcification or anything. I don't know if I should still buy a new heating element or just dip it, buy a gasket, and put it back together. Any suggestions?
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 