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NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > NS...

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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 Jan 10, 2013, 12:08pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Damn, that does not look good. When was the last time you took the burrs out to clean them of the Vario and blasted it with canned air and a vacuum?

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 10, 2013, 12:11pm
Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Markarian Said:

Wow, this sounds familiar! I recently had a faulty neplax valve on the group that I had to replace. A good way to see if it is faulty is to take the cover off and see if water is flowing through the tube on the left of the group when you pull a shot or backflush. If it does, chances are you could benefit from NS' upgraded neplax valve as I did (my machine was made in 2004-2005, I think). But yes, you should be able to grind nearly to Turkish before the Vario chokes (I recently DID try to use the Vario for Turkish. Do NOT do this).

Posted January 9, 2013 link

Is the neplax valve the same as the OPV? I'll remove the cover tonight and watch while back flushing (probably needs it anyway).

Why do you say not to grind to Turkish with the Vario?

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 10, 2013, 12:14pm
Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Markarian Said:

Damn, that does not look good. When was the last time you took the burrs out to clean them of the Vario and blasted it with canned air and a vacuum?

Posted January 10, 2013 link

I've never opened the Vario to clean it. It's a (new to me) refurb direct from Baratza that I've used to grind at most three pounds. Should I contact Baratza?

Coffeenoobie
Senior Member

Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2,320
Location: PNW
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: N S Oscar
Grinder: Vario W

Posted Thu Jan 10, 2013, 12:20pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

I would adjust my grinder if I were you. I will look to see if my grinder has grinds there but I believe not. And I was asking if you tapped the portafilter after tamping.....

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 Thu Jan 10, 2013, 12:24pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

OK. I'll look for Vario adjustment instructions. Sorry, no I do not tap the portafilter after tamping, just polish in any grounds left on top with a spin.

Coffeenoobie
Senior Member

Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2,320
Location: PNW
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: N S Oscar
Grinder: Vario W

Posted Thu Jan 10, 2013, 12:34pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Mine is clean there even thought I have had it since April and run about 2.5 lbs of coffee a month. It could just be stuff that got there when they shipped it after testing. Call them to check but I don't believe it is an issue, it looks closed on the other side to me. So, it doesn't look like it can get there directly from the grinder to me. I don't think it would affect the use if you never use those low settings. I would do what Markarian said and check your Valve on the left of your group head. The 3 way is on the right. That is cleaned with back flushing and descaling.

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 Thu Jan 10, 2013, 2:20pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

I believe I found the reason for grounds accumulating at the adjustment levers. This was a refurb machine and Baratza seems to have been having some quality problems when I ordered it. It arrived with the wrong user manual, wrong grounds bin (W bin instead of 885) and no portafilter holder fork. They eventually sent me all the missing pieces, but it did make me leery of the rebuild quality. Now look at the coffee I shook out from the lever sots! It's hard to tell from the photo, but that pile is about two inches high and there is still more inside. I'll move this and more to the Vario Owner's thread. (Click for larger image)

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 10, 2013, 3:16pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Here is what I found inside - looks like an interior chute is missing. (Click for larger image)

Coffeenoobie
Senior Member

Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2,320
Location: PNW
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: N S Oscar
Grinder: Vario W

Posted Thu Jan 10, 2013, 3:23pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Call them ASAP. They stand behind their stuff. Sounds like yours got sent out before being finished.

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 Thu Jan 10, 2013, 3:36pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..

Thanks for verifying! I sent Baratza an E-mail with photos. If they don't reply soon, I'll call them.

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