drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 447 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 Sat Dec 15, 2007, 9:49pm Subject: Got an Expobar Office Control
just picked it up tonight...the machine is freaking huge compared to my old Carezza, wife will kill me when she sees it on the counter!
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it tonight...it's my first HX machine. Is there a manual for using it, available online? I couldn't find anything comprehensible on expobar.com.
I guess that's it for now...I'm sure I'll post more questions as I start to figure it out.
It looks like a really nice machine, and I was always looking into getting an Expobar because you get some nice features for the price. I didn't realize they were so big, though.
mitchellb Senior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Houston, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Pro, SAMA Lever Grinder: Mazzer Major Vac Pot: Cory DKG-S Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: HGDB
Posted Sat Dec 15, 2007, 11:45pm Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
The CG first look helped me out a lot when i used one.. It's a pretty good prosumer machine and once you go HX you'll never realize how you lived without one.
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 447 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 Sun Dec 16, 2007, 3:37am Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
ok - here's my first (probably dumb) question:
Is this machine (and I suppose, all HX's) supposed to be decalcified? WLL's faq says it should not..but I wonder...what happens to all the mineral buildup inside it?
Also, the previous owner of the machine claims to have decalcified it...is this a problem?
Bott Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 157 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Athenea Lever
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2007, 7:19am Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
Don't use regular tap water in it. The boiler has to be removed to be decalcified. I've used Crystal Geyser for almost two years with no calcification in the tank (so hopefully little or no calicification in the boiler).
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 447 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 Sun Dec 16, 2007, 7:44am Subject: Re: Got an Expobar Office Control
ok, so my questions are as follow:
how can I tell if the boiler is currently calcified?
if the previous owner actually ran decalcifying solution through it, will it ever come out of the machine, or will I be drinking decalcifying solution in my espresso forever?
Next, look up the hot water spigot. If it's crusted with flaky, grayish-white powdery residue that is a sure sign of neglect.
OK? After that you might want to learn how to CLEAN your machine: CLICK THIS If you want to know more about water and descaling machines then read this one: CLICKY CLICKY
Next, look up the hot water spigot. If it's crusted with flaky, grayish-white powdery residue that is a sure sign of neglect.
OK? After that you might want to learn how to CLEAN your machine: CLICK THIS If you want to know more about water and descaling machines then read this one: CLICKY CLICKY
I had actually read the HB pieces months ago, when first getting into espresso, but I re-read them yesterday to refresh.
the machine is in quite good condition...no flaking, crusting, or other signs of neglect, the owner says he backflushed regularly.
Ok, now is when the learning curve starts. My first day with the machine I pulled several drinkable shots. Beginner's luck I guess? Today, I was unable to pull anything drinkable. All shots were terribly bitter. Of course, the first thing I tried was flushing for longer before pulling the shot. I flushed out 16 ounces of water to be on the safe side...still just as bitter.
Another issue I'm having is with the drip-tray. There's a tube that hangs down in the back, which functions to release the pressure of the 3-way valve I think. That tube gets in the way of putting the grate on the drip-tray, for the cups to sit on. Any suggestions about this? Also, even when the grate is sitting securely, the cup slowly slides to the side when the pump is on, due to the vibration.
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