ethom Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 63 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: NS Oscar, Silvia broken :o( Grinder: Vario Drip: Bosch
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 11:25am Subject: Preparing a used machine for use
Silvia arrived on the porch today and I couldn't wait to unpack her, even though I should be doing work. Being an eBay purchase of a used Rancilio, I knew it wouldn’t be new. However, I was disappointed with the packaging: in a box with an inch or so clearance around the SS body, wrapped in a white trash bag, surrounded by Styrofoam peanuts, and with cobbled little Styrofoam corners taped on the bag. Packing tape held the drip tray and reservoir lid in place, which was good I suppose, but it left tape marks all over the surfaces. Knowing it was coming by USPS, which tends to handle packages poorly at times, and seeing the size of the box, I feared the worst. Thankfully, no apparent damage occurred in shipment.
Here is my question: considering that the previous owner was not very careful in shipping, what should I do or check to get her ready for duty? I was always planning to descale the machine before using it, but now I wonder if any internals may need attention. The portafiller is pretty dirty, coffee stained, and there is some crud in the reservoir. I have some coffee machine cleaner that should take care of the external dirt. What else might you suggest?
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,642 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 Thu Nov 29, 2012, 12:00pm Subject: Re: Preparing a used machine for use
the first thing I would advise doing is to get some cheap coffee and pull some shots. you are not looking for a great coffee here simply the proper functioning of the machine. there is no use in giving it a thorough cleaning if it needs re work or return to sender.
after it works as advertised give it a good cleaning and a descale then you should be good to go. there is not a lot of things to go wrong inside the machine and if it is functioning properly you should be good to go.
other than that congratulations and enjoy!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
zedex Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 126 Location: B.C Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz v2 Grinder: vario
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 12:44pm Subject: Re: Preparing a used machine for use
When you fill the resevour with water. Purge water through the steam valve to make sure the boiler gets filled with water. After that you should be good to go. let machine heat up for 20 minutes and start pulling shots, steaming, checking function. Good luck.
ethom Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 63 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: NS Oscar, Silvia broken :o( Grinder: Vario Drip: Bosch
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 12:54pm Subject: Re: Preparing a used machine for use
Glad I'm here! I know filling the boiler is important, but wasn't sure how to do it, and in excitement may have forgotten completely.
While unpacking, I noticed the steam wand has a bit of play. It’s the swivel, not ball joint, type, but still moves a bit vertically. The bolt appears to be tight. Is that movement normal?
ethom Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 63 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: NS Oscar, Silvia broken :o( Grinder: Vario Drip: Bosch
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 4:59pm Subject: Re: Preparing a used machine for use
She’s alive!
I filled the boiler and was able to get hot water through the group head, hot water from the wand, and steam from the wand. No leaks were apparent from the wand or anywhere else. Then I pulled three shots, none of them very good but not far from what I get from my DeLonghi. One thing I noticed is that the puck stays pretty wet, not quite soupy but wet. How can I tell if the three-way solenoid valve is working?
zedex Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 126 Location: B.C Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz v2 Grinder: vario
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 6:03pm Subject: Re: Preparing a used machine for use
Pull a shot. Immediately after the shot remove PF. If you get sprayed with hot water and coffee grounds, the 3 way is not working. As to the wet sloppy puck. Thats pretty normal for a silvia. Once you get your grinder, your good to go. The vario and silvia are good combo.
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