Posted Tue Sep 18, 2012, 1:16am Subject: Can't steam and brew at the same time with Oscar :(
Hey guys, so something i came to realize on my oscar is that i'm unable to steam and brew at the same time. When i open up the steam at all while the shot is pulling, the pressure gets abnormal and i'll have a very fast spritzing flow. When i close the steam, i can get a proper pull.
anyone ever have this issue or any ideas on how to fix this?
also, not sure if anyone has experienced it but when i first turn on oscar, the machine will shake lightly for a few minutes. It's not the regular pump noise. I'm thinking it's still pump related as i'm guessing that's the only part that can actually cause that amount of vibration on the machine. I ordered a new ulka. Hopefully that'll fix this.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Sep 18, 2012, 5:53am Subject: Re: Can't steam and brew at the same time with Oscar :(
There isn't anything that should cause the machine to shake when you turn it on. The only time the pump comes on is when the machine fills the boiler or when you pull a shot.
The pressures in the boiler and in the brew circuit are two different things, the steam pressure has no connection to the brew pressure unless the pump comes on to fill the boiler at the same time as you are pulling a shot. This is the only time I can see the brew pressure being affected.
The pump operates the whole time you are pulling a shot and the pump is what builds the pressure for the shot.
The steam pressure is regulated by the Pstat and the heater and other than using the pump to fill the boiler, they are different things.
If the boiler fill opens while pulling a shot, the affect will be to LOWER the pressure of the shot, if anything as the pressure in the brew system is fixed and can not be increased without mechanical adjustment by you or a service tech.
I do not see how a lower pressure would cause spritizing and an increase in flow of the pull.
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Posted Fri Sep 21, 2012, 2:42pm Subject: Re: Can't steam and brew at the same time with Oscar :(
calblacksmith Said:
There isn't anything that should cause the machine to shake when you turn it on. The only time the pump comes on is when the machine fills the boiler or when you pull a shot.
The pressures in the boiler and in the brew circuit are two different things, the steam pressure has no connection to the brew pressure unless the pump comes on to fill the boiler at the same time as you are pulling a shot. This is the only time I can see the brew pressure being affected.
The pump operates the whole time you are pulling a shot and the pump is what builds the pressure for the shot.
The steam pressure is regulated by the Pstat and the heater and other than using the pump to fill the boiler, they are different things.
If the boiler fill opens while pulling a shot, the affect will be to LOWER the pressure of the shot, if anything as the pressure in the brew system is fixed and can not be increased without mechanical adjustment by you or a service tech.
I do not see how a lower pressure would cause spritizing and an increase in flow of the pull.
I'm hoping that somehow a new pump will be my elixer. I kinda wanted an excuse to get a new pump anyways. :p
If it doesn't fix it, I'm wondering if maybe there might be a solenoid problem. I haven't looked through everything to really figure it out yet but in my head I wonder if a solenoid is letting water through somewhere it shouldn't.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sat Sep 22, 2012, 10:26am Subject: Re: Can't steam and brew at the same time with Oscar :(
Well, I ended up cleaning my 3 way by taking it apart and soaking. I took apart mostly the 2 way above the boiler on the left side but it seemed fine. I replaced the safety valve on the left side of the boiler it was faulty. I took photos of that so you can see it. Maybe your steam wand has a leak. I want to replace mine it is ugly (beat up by first owner) and I am not sure it seals well because sometimes I hear it hiss when it is closed.
Coffeenoobie
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