Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Jan 11, 2013, 1:47pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
I see that I got trumped. His answer is better than what I would have typed because I am not having issues with it.
But you can put in an OPV if you want one but it is not needed. You control the Oscar with grind and tamping and I can tell you I get very good espresso out of it with very little into it. What I am doing with the gicleurs is really fine tuning the thermosyphin I am not sure it is changing the group head pressure but flatting the temp profile.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
It helps explain why some others have tried adjusting the OPV (Neplax) just to wind up with leaks. And you help me understand that Oscar can only be adjusted so much, like boiler pressure and brew temperature, and the rest is up to me to adapt. It was a good buy from Craigslist and an enormous step up from the toy I was using so I'm happy regardless.
I'll plan to order a new Neplax to have on hand when she goes or maybe install it sooner as a precaution. You mentioned that replacing it was tough because of the tight thread seating. Did you remove the group from the frame to get it out? Or would that lead to even more trouble?
Amen. This realization has been coming to me as the shots slowly get dialed in. The machine just seemed so powerful compared to the tiny DeLonghi I'd used for years; I felt it needed to be dialed back. However, I keep finding more useful info about all sorts of techniques to improve shot consistency and quality and even a bit about the chemistry of it all.
Then there's the milk aspect. Again, all that steam was overwhelming and it seemed the best I could get was thin scalded milk with a stiff tasteless cap of foam so quickly that I could barely understand what had just happened. Then the community led me to sites like the barista championships and Metropolis Coffee (metropoliscoffee.com) with its collection of great instructional videos that put all the words into well shot moving pictures. Suddenly, tiny bubbles coated with thick milk started appearing in my pitcher. Magic! The Oscar has started to respond more like those four group behemoths and less like the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia instructions I’d been looking at.
Maybe it's time for me to stop worrying and start loving this HX!
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Jan 11, 2013, 2:58pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
It will give you a lot of power for a little money and that is why I got it. It was my starter machine and I can't imagine trying to go to a single boiler after HX.
You might be able to get the part cheaper with no shipping at http://www.espressoparts.com/ the shipped very fast and I got my part over night because I am so close to them.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 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 11, 2013, 3:47pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
Glad I was able to help. Between Noobie, myself, and a couple others, we've seen most (typical) problems this machine can throw your way. As far as steaming milk, I learned on a single hole tip with my previous machine, which I believe gives better control. To that end, I ditched the big 4 hole tip Oscar came with and replaced it with a single-hole tip from the Silvia. I much prefer it now and get pretty good results.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Jan 11, 2013, 4:17pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
I order a group head gasket every time I get something so I have at least one on hand at all times. I went from the 2 hole reducing steam tip back to the 4 hole stock tip. It is harder but I feel like I can better handle the power now.
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 Sat Jan 12, 2013, 12:02pm Subject: Re: NS Oscar..Microfoam..Group head temperature..
Markarian Said:
To that end, I ditched the big 4 hole tip Oscar came with and replaced it with a single-hole tip from the Silvia. I much prefer it now and get pretty good results.
Do you know whether you have a new Silvia steam tip or the older one? The older one does not fit Oscar, if I recall correctly.
I have an older V2 Silvia that broke quickly after getting it used through eBay. That's how I wound up with Oscar. Depressed from Silvia breaking and browsing "espresso" on Craigslist, Oscar showed up as a deal from heaven - half the cost of the Rancilio and about the same as fixing her myself with so much less effort and time. She sits in pieces waiting for attention, but I'm not in much of a hurry now that Oscar is entertaining me.
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