alsterling Senior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 672 Location: Dana Point, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 (Had Expo) Grinder: Macap M4 & Gaggia MDF Vac Pot: Not yet... Drip: Capresso MT-500 & Melitta... Roaster: Hottop Digital
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2007, 8:01pm Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
I hope I'm not repeating what someone else has already said, which can happen even after reviewing the entire thread.............
You've received some very good feedback. Outside of refilling the reservoir with bottled water, might I suggest that you test your tap water to see where you're at as far as PPM of minerals. I've used a 2 cartridge filtering system from day one; first for my Expobar Pulsar Office, and then transferred it to the espresso bar for the machine that replaced it. I run a dual-purpose sediment/charcoal filter 10" cartridge, into a resin-water softener 10" cartridge. When I sold the Expobar it was spotless; no mineral buildup. And after replacing the steam boiler temp sensor on the S1, I could find nearly "0" mineral buildup in the boiler. (The temp sensor had a jacket that extended 4 inches into the boiler. I had to remove it, and it was like looking at the dipstick in an engine. I got a good idea of how well my filtering system was working.)
Bottom line, if you're worried about mineral damage to the system, start by guaranteeing a water supply that's mineralized enough for good taste, but not so much that it starts damaging your machine. I'd rather run a little more on the soft water side than overly mineralized. It appears you're doing your research, so I'll humbly say that you might call the repair tech at WLL for specifics on what to look at, in addition to the hot water spigot as Jon mentioned, and exactly how they recommend cleaning the machine without destroying the valves, etc.
Oh.....by the way, I heard that the Expobars tend to run a bit hot. You can get a thermocouple thermometer from Harbor Freight Tools for about $20.
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 495 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli MAC Cup... Grinder: MACAP MK7R Vac Pot: um. Electrolux? Drip: Drop Roaster: Not that advanced yet...
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 5:51pm Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
thank you Al...I actually am using softened, reverse-osmosis, triple-filtered water, so hppefully that should be good enough...
ok, so I took the machine apart today...no small feat for someone of my manual skills. A general comment/question - I noticed that there is definitely some corrosion from wetness inside the machine. This is not altogether surprising, since the top of the machine (cup warmer) is vented, and the interior components are not in any way shielded from water that might accidentally fall in the top, from any source. Are all HX machines the same design in this regard? seems like more could be done to protect them from getting wet inside...
anyway, I poked around, identified some parts, but could not identify others. Specifically, I saw no way to adjust the temperature, and could not find a thermostat. Could anyone kindly point me towards how to find these components, and what else I might check while I'm poking around?
In he HX Love article linked earlier, it explains that HX boilers are generally controlled by pressure (and the pressure determines temperature). The pressure is regulated using a pressurestat so generally speaking, HX machines do not come equipped with thermostats.
You can usually find the pressurestat attached to the boiler by a coiled copper tube. Most pressurestats have adjustments that can be made for the pressure setting, and some even have a deadband adjustment to regulate the high and low points on the temperature interval.
All of this begs a few questions:
Is the espresso you make OK? Have you learned to pull a cooling flush? After flushing, did you measure the temperature and found that you need to make an adjustment?
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 495 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli MAC Cup... Grinder: MACAP MK7R Vac Pot: um. Electrolux? Drip: Drop Roaster: Not that advanced yet...
Posted Tue Dec 18, 2007, 6:44pm Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
JonR10 Said:
Is the espresso you make OK? Have you learned to pull a cooling flush? After flushing, did you measure the temperature and found that you need to make an adjustment?
espresso has been extremely bitter and harsh. water temp, while not measured with a thermometer, has felt extremely high. I tried flushing up to 12 ounces immediately before pulling a shot, still same result. this is why I concluded the boiler temp must be too high. if you have another opinion, please express it.
I, am not the "you" of whom you requested an opinion, assuming the "you" was directed to the previous poster alone. My opinion however is to wonder what would cause you to flush 12oz of water prior to pulling a shot? You're going to need new crankshaft bearings in your pump before long to say nothing of burn ointment if you're testing water temperature with your wrist.
The best of the best in terms of advice I've gleaned from this site is to carefully observe and practice the basics, (bean/grind/tamp). A cheap thermometer will settle the temperature issue accurately and in a hurry and measuring the volume of coffee extracted in 25 seconds will tell you other things which are important in pulling that shot you're after. On the human side of things, I'm a very good cook but sometimes I think I'm wrapped too tight from my intimate involvement in creating a dish and don't appreciate my own effort as much as I do sampling the work of others. At such times I've found that taking a deep breath helps a lot.
Sorry to hear that! Did your espresso taste more mellow and smooth on your Carezza? I am assuming you have fresh beans but just for information - what coffee are you using?
drtzali Said:
I tried flushing up to 12 ounces immediately before pulling a shot, still same result.
Make some measurements. Brew water temperature can be checked quick-read thermometer stuck through a shortened styrofoam cup and for about $20-$30 total investment and you can rig brewing and boiler pressure gauges to check the OPV setting and boiler pressure.
You can turn down your boiler pressure if you want, but if you don't make some measurements then you'll be flying blind.
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 495 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli MAC Cup... Grinder: MACAP MK7R Vac Pot: um. Electrolux? Drip: Drop Roaster: Not that advanced yet...
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2007, 6:06am Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
JonR10 Said:
Sorry to hear that! Did your espresso taste more mellow and smooth on your Carezza? I am assuming you have fresh beans but just for information - what coffee are you using?
ok...so if this is the case, it would seem to preclude temperature being too high as the cause for bitterness?
JonR10 Said:
Without any measurements, it's hard to say if that's really the problem.
Make some measurements. Brew water temperature can be checked quick-read thermometer stuck through a shortened styrofoam cup and for about $20-$30 total investment and you can rig brewing and boiler pressure gauges to check the OPV setting and boiler pressure.
You can turn down your boiler pressure if you want, but if you don't make some measurements then you'll be flying blind.
ok...so which do you think I should do first, and where should I buyt the equipment needed to do it?
Breeze - your opinion (and anyone else's) is much welcomed and appreciated. re: your comment about the bearings - I certainly don't intend to flush excessively forever, I was just doing it to see if doing so would result in less-bitter espresso...
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2007, 7:07am Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
If your espresso is harsh and bitter I'd look also at the brewing pressure. It may be too high. I don't believe the expobars (and correct me if I'm wrong) have an onboard brew pressure gage so a gage fitted portafilter is handy here. I'd set the machine to 9.5 bar with a blind portafilter basket installed.
On the other hand you could (in the meantime) adjust the OPV to taste.
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