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 Sat Jan 12, 2013, 1:45pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
Rancilio needs to put that damn model out to pasture. I know there's a LOT of Silvia owners out there and I don't want to hurt their feelings or act like a smug jerk, sitting on my HX high horse, but those machines are so hard to use and so limited for the price that they put a lot of beginners off of espresso who never come back. I started on a couple little Saecos and went to the used Oscar. The Saecos were something in the range of $60-80 used and gave me decent espresso until I could afford an upgrade. If Silvia was priced near the Gaggias, I wouldn't have such a low opinion of it. Ranting aside, this is what I use on my Oscar and I like it:
We used vice grips and electrical tape to take them on and off. At first, we used plumber's tape to create a seal, but it eventually went on without any tape and works fine.
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 Sun Jan 13, 2013, 7:55pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
I ordered the Neplax valve, a PF gasket, and an inexpensive "toy" that I'm sure I don't need (Espresso Parts HQ 14 Gram Double Portafilter Basket) all from espresso parts.com. Thanks for the tips!
Speaking of tips, I'll try to work with the four hole a bit longer. Plugging a couple of the holes changed the characteristics but I'm still too new to know whether it was better or worse and I removed them.
Oh, the replacement Vario is on the highway :o) Baratza customer service was terrific as you all have said.
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 Jan 17, 2013, 8:06pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
The Neplax valve and gasket arrived with very quick service from EspressoParts.com (good source!), but I didn't have the nerve to tackle the valve replacement tonight, especially with Markarian’s experience of having stripped threads in the process. Baratza’s new Vario should arrive tomorrow and I couldn’t bear risking having a second broken pumper and a brand new grinder with nothing to do.
Instead, I tried draining the boiler again to see if I could rid Oscar's smelly steam condition. Using the boiler drain plug was easier than I expected, though a bit clumsy to turn the machine on its back and rock it back and forth left and right to empty all the water. It seemed that opening the steam valve would release the vacuum, but not so. Instead the drain valve glugged and spit for a few minutes with coaxing from the rocking. A few big rocks came out initially that I lost with a spilled bowl, but here is the sediment that came out with the rest.
The steam smells much sweeter now, with that funky, slightly foul, mineral smell gone or at least much reduced.
Considering that this was a simple draining with just a bit of sloshing, should I consider doing a descale to see what can be removed with citric acid? Or should I leave it alone and just plan to do an occasional draining?
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 Jan 18, 2013, 4:12am Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
When you do the descale, expect the water to come out looking like the mutagen from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The inside of your boiler probably looks like the Statue of Liberty at this point, but some Dezcal will fix that up quick.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,323 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Jan 18, 2013, 10:36am Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
You might have had milk in the boiler, that can happen if people are not careful. Since you have it open I would totally descale and drain the tank again. I hope to do that soon to mine, just getting the cash for a few mod parts to trick out my espresso machine...
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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 Sun Jan 20, 2013, 10:29am Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
Markarian Said:
When you do the descale, expect the water to come out looking like the mutagen from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The inside of your boiler probably looks like the Statue of Liberty at this point, but some Dezcal will fix that up quick.
You might have had milk in the boiler, that can happen if people are not careful. Since you have it open I would totally descale and drain the tank again. I hope to do that soon to mine, just getting the cash for a few mod parts to trick out my espresso machine...
Can't wait to see the photos and description of your mods.
I've read that milk in the boiler smells awful and can be hard to clean. As long as the steam doesn't stink, I'll be happy.
Has anyone replaced the boiler drain plug with a valve that could be easily opened? I could see the benefit of attaching a drain tube to the valve outlet and running it to a sink or container. What type and thread size valve would work? It would need to withstand boiler pressure and temperature, I assume. Maybe this one? http://www.espressoparts.com/V_523?&search_id=1990767 Or something from Home Depot?
What is the best way to break the vacuum when draining the boiler? Opening the steam valve didn't seem to help, though it seemed that it would.
When descaling, is raising the water level sensor the best way to assure that crud above the water line gets treated? If so, is it just a matter of loosening the nut and pulling up on the sensor?
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,323 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 11:54am Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
I have read that some people put a toggle switch in that allows them to over fill the boiler I will see if I can't find that thread on H-B. I would like a drain on Oscar but I have not really looked at the parts, but I expect them to be non US standard.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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 Sun Jan 20, 2013, 3:28pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
Coffeenoobie Said:
I have read that some people put a toggle switch in that allows them to over fill the boiler I will see if I can't find that thread on H-B. I would like a drain on Oscar but I have not really looked at the parts, but I expect them to be non US standard.
I thought the same, though the Oscar parts digram shows part 07300009, which would be replaced by a valve, described as "Nut 1/4" and ereplacementparts.com calls it "Nut Connection 1/4 Gas" which makes me wonder whether the valve on espresso parts.com might fit. But for $23, I'd like to be a bit more sure. I'll add it to my shopping list for a Home Depot visit, where it could be easily returned if not right. This one is intended for air, not water: Click Here (www.homedepot.com)
Regarding overfilling for descaling, someone wrote that they disconnected the fill level switch and heater element and opened the steam wand. Turning on the machine then allows the boiler to fill until it flows out of the wand.
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