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Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Francis X1 -...

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ckfrancisX1
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: New York
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Francis X1 - green

Posted Fri Aug 6, 2004, 1:14pm Subject: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

Hi guys, First of I would like to mention that I am a beginner - not in drinking espresso but in making in. Just purchased the X1 (and I have to admit that the main reason I chose the X1 is the look of the machine). I am using Lavazzo Espresso and the shots are getting nicer and better each time but I have this problem....after pulling a shot I take of the handle, empty the grinds and put the empty handle back in. I steam my milk. When I am done and take out the handle to let's say fill the basket for another espresso shot, there is always water sitting in the basket that does not run out of the basket into the driptray. I mean - the basket is filled with water just sitting in there...... What is it I am doing wrong? Any help is appreciated. Thanks Claudia

Tremaine
Senior Member

Joined: 13 May 2004
Posts: 21
Location: San Francisco
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Francis!Francis! X3
Grinder: KitchenAid Proline
Drip: Cuisinart 12-cup

Posted Fri Aug 6, 2004, 3:49pm Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

On my X3, I get some residudal water like this, after I pull a blank shot. Just before pulling a live one, I dump it into the tray and wipe the inside of the basket so its dry. I think that the holes on the basket are so small that without any pressure, the water will not flow out. I don't think its anything to worry about though...

expobar
Senior Member

Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 3,003
Location: .

Posted Fri Aug 6, 2004, 4:54pm Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

same thing happens with my gaggia, i think its normal...

TedJ
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Sep 2003
Posts: 83
Location: St. Louis
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: La Valentina (Beauty!)
Grinder: MACAP M4/Rocky
Drip: TV
Roaster: HotTop/Mod

Posted Fri Aug 6, 2004, 5:48pm Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

The X1 does not have a solenoid valve to relieve the pressure. That's why you must wait a few minutes to remove the portafilter. A soupy puck is normal.

ckfrancisX1
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: New York
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Francis X1 - green

Posted Fri Aug 6, 2004, 5:54pm Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

Thanks for the inf0 - glad to hear that this seems to be a normal thing and not a fault with my new X1. Claudia

queebog
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jun 2002
Posts: 12
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Isomac Rituale
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Roaster: Party Popper

Posted Sat Aug 7, 2004, 7:42am Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

If you leave the grounds in your portafilter while you steam, you should end up with a nice dry puck by the time you're done. At least that worked for me with my old X1. Conrad

erik_hammarlund
Senior Member

Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Posts: 157
Location: Bristol, RI
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: X5
Grinder: Nuova MCI doserless
Drip: Braun / bodum press

Posted Sat Aug 7, 2004, 9:09am Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

If you loosen the portafilter slightly after the pull, the excess will drip out more quickly into whatever you put beneath it. Works on my X5. Or you can just wait while you steam. Or, Francis makes a "new patent applied for" tamper than wins the complexity award: the bottom if it is a shower screen and the handle is detachable. You tamp, twist off the handle, and leave the bottom part in--it fills the excess space and makes the water easier to remove. Having tried it twice I do not use that feature... but if you want one I'll happily trade you for a Francis size normal tamper :)

Posted Sat Aug 7, 2004, 11:05am Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

I think that the Francis shower screen/tamper has been discussed here several times, but for what it is worth I have great results by using a normal tamper and then placing the screen on top of the grounds. I get a normal tamp and no soupy mess. As well, I think the shower screen works better then water pouring straight out of the grouphead. No need to go into hydrophysics, but I think that Francis includes the shower screen for a reason...

ckfrancisX1
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: New York
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Francis X1 - green

Posted Wed Aug 11, 2004, 5:56am Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

Thanks for all the info. Steaming while the portafilter with grinds is still in definately does the trick. Loosening the portafilter also helps. Appreciate all the info. Thanks

ckfrancisX1
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: New York
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Francis X1 - green

Posted Wed Aug 11, 2004, 5:57am Subject: Re: Francis X1 - water in coffee basket

Thanks for all the info. Steaming while the portafilter with grinds is still in definately does the trick. Loosening the portafilter also helps. Appreciate all the info. What is the showerscreen, what does it look like and how does one use it? Is this something I can buy separateley because it din not come with my X1...... Thanks

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