Tony3 Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Enrico of Italy Grinder: Krupps
Posted Sun Apr 27, 2008, 6:06pm Subject: Need help using my Enrico of Italy Espresso Machine! HELP!
Hello Everyone,
About 5 years ago I purchased a used Enrico of Italy, model CE-12 Lever espresso machine. It has a spring operated piston, a 69mm x 22mm portafilter handle and is in excellent condition. It was missing its portafilter basket as well as the owners manual so me being a machinist I finally got off my behind and made a portafilter basket for it. Since I am new to making espresso I would really like some advise on how to use this machine. I have thoroughly cleaned with descaling solution and there are no leaks that I can find on the machine when I run water through it. When I fill it 3/4 of the way full with water and turn the machine on, once the temp gauge reaches about 1 bar water starts to flow through the portafilter holes into the cup I placed on the drip tray. I have not attempted running the machine with any coffee grinds in the basket as of yet. Anyhow I have been searching on line as to how to pull a decent shot of espresso through a lever machine and I so far I have only been able to find information on using a La Pavoni Machine. From what I have read everyone states to pull the handle up on the La Pavoni machine when ready to pull a shot but my machines handle is in the upward position to begin with. Please forgive me if I sound ignorant but can any one out there assist me with the proper method on how to use my machine? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much, Sincerely,
cubastreet Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 179 Location: PDX Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: a couple of levers Grinder: big
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 7:23pm Subject: Re: Need help using my Enrico of Italy Espresso Machine! HELP!
You'll need new seals for the group piston before you can pull shots - that water shouldn't come out by itself, unless you have the lever pulled down. I'm awaiting delivery of mine, which is the smaller model. It seems nobody has these seals. the most promising lead I have at the moment is the x-rings at http://www.marcorubber.com/
Good luck, let us know how you go.
Operation will likely be similar to the ponte vecchio machines which they appear to be very similar to.
Beeb Senior Member Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 70 Location: Tx Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Your name it, I have it,... Grinder: Faema MPN, Mazzer Super... Drip: Fetco 2031E Extractor
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 7:49pm Subject: Re: Need help using my Enrico of Italy Espresso Machine! HELP!
Tony3, If you get gaskets made for this, you may want to have multiples made to avoid not ever being able to find them again. Extras are always nice to have around and if you ever decide to sell it, this will make the machine more marketable.
orphanespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Troy Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Cremina Faemina Microcimbali... Grinder: Hand Grinders
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 7:50pm Subject: Re: Need help using my Enrico of Italy Espresso Machine! HELP!
We've been working on a set of seals for the Enrico, and have a prototype ready, but we are waiting for the delivery of a machine (on the way) to put them to a full test. We worked out a set for someone who was kind enough to send us his group to get us started on it, and full testing will happen when the new machine arrives.
We're traveling at the moment, so don't have the exact numbers on hand, but the Enrico has a very large piston & cylinder. Like many of the vintage lever machines, the original seal was rectangular in cross section. In cross sectional profile the depth is greater than the height of the seal (X rings are square in cross sectional profile - not rectangular). It is possible that an X-ring could be used, but some type of spacer or shim system needs to be placed under the ring to get it to fit & seal right. We have worked out this problem using o-rings with a spacer under the o-ring. When we either hear from the guy we did it for, or when our machine arrives, we'll be able to offer the kit. The original style u-cup is impossible, unless you pay for the tooling & molding of the seals.
We will also shortly have the portafilter gasket available.
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