What I was told, but not directly from Franke, was that they were still trying to decide how much to charge since the problem (broken plastic part, I assume, not the wet steam issue) has only occurred with a couple of machines out of over 2000. :-/
As far as I know LM has produced or is currently producing the new steam arms and they should be free of charge for all GS/3 owners. Should be available in the near future, hopefully before LM will start their summer production break.
Any news on the paddle group? Talked to LM in Kopenhagen and told me that the retro-kit will be available in Q3/Q4-2008.
any update on availability of the paddle group? Hopefully it will be available during autumn 2008.
Does anybody know the length of that summer (production) break? A friend of mine has ordered a new Linea EE, now called E1 and LM told him (resp. the distributor) that it will be finished before their break.
After playing with steaming some using a normal pitcher a few times, and getting some surprisingly decent results (so this is what they mean when they say sweet steamed milk!), but also not immediately eliminating those big bubbles at the top, now waiting at home for me is a new toroid pitcher from Espro, as well as one of their neat-o click tampers. (Rather than working on my steaming technique, I decided I'd try the lazy man's approach first.) I'll let you know how the toroid pitcher works for me steaming with the stock tip!
On the down, or, odd side, my machine did something weird yesterday and I'm wondering if it's happened to anyone else. I was sitting there after making some shots drinking a cup with the machine still on, and suddenly it started making a loud sound, like the pump was running but a bit louder, and there was no water coming out of the head or water tap. I walked over to it immediately and looked it over, and saw the pressure holding at 9 bars like it was on, but again, no water coming out, and I certainly hadn't hit any buttons to "do" anything. So, I turned it off and it immediately stopped, and then turned it back on, and poof, back to normal. Anyone else seen anything like this or have thoughts on a cause, or what the heck it was actually doing?
I have also tested the Espro Pitcher, but I still prefer a small Alessi pitcher to get the best possible results. The steam arm update from Marzocco will dramatically change results, I saw it in Copenhagen and the results - independently from which pitcher type you use - are very promising. Dry steam is the key to perfect, sweet micro foam.
Regarding your observed behavior of the GS/3: it could not be just the (auto-) refill of the boiler(s)? This happens sometimes, without any input from outside.
Regarding your observed behavior of the GS/3: it could not be just the (auto-) refill of the boiler(s)? This happens sometimes, without any input from outside.
This is what I thought at first too, but it was louder, and stayed on for much too long - normally when the boilers are refilling, it only takes a few seconds, and this was longer than it has ever taken for that by far. (It was only after probably 15 seconds or more that I became convinced enough of this to turn it off rather than letting it go.)
It sounds like your boiler was trying to refill, but wasn't able to get water. Maybe you have something that is partially blocking the water line from the reservoir.
It sounds like your boiler was trying to refill, but wasn't able to get water. Maybe you have something that is partially blocking one of the water lines from the reservoir.
I agree, I had that same problem. It's the harsh angle the water reservoir line has at it goes from the water reservoir through that rubber grommeted hole into the main body. There were several things I did.
Push out that silly rubber grommet that make the hole in the body a lot smaller.
Adjust the length of hose between the body and the reservoir so that it doesn't create a kink.
Completely reroute the hose to go into the body from the front instead of through that hole.
In the end Tim O Connor rerouted the hose for me when he had come to make a modification to the refill sensor connections. He put springs instead of metal tabs. This fixed the problem permanently.
EspressoObsessed Senior Member Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 87 Location: Prairie Village, KS Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: GS/3 Grinder: CMH; VL M3 Drip: TV, KMB, Eva Solo, AP Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Thu Jul 24, 2008, 1:00pm Subject: Strange behaviour of EPNW steam tip
I've had some good microfoam with this aftermarket 4 hole tip. Until 2 days ago--initial puff of steam followed by very small amounts and no pressure dropoff on the gauge. I soaked it thoroughly overnight and scrubbed it, but no go. The LM 3 hole tip continues to work well but you know the foam is not so good.
I looked at the two tips side by side--they are the same lengths along the sides but the hole end is much shallower in the EPNW one. I put it back on the wand and found that a needle would no longer go through the holes. I believe the plastic end that sticks out of the wand has either slipped out a bit (I don't know how it is constructed or if this is possible) or been deformed and blocks steam from exiting. To my eye it does not look deformed. I cooled the wand down and used a little elbow grease to try to push the plastic piece up into the wand a little bit. I did not feel any give on the plastic or see it slide up, but...voila! (or "walla" as Mark says) I had steam! I assume this is a problem that will continue to worsen and render the 4 hole tip ineffective over time.
So I really really want that new all SS steam arm.
I measured the plastic bit as protruding 3/8" from wand. Does anyone have significantly less?
I agree, I had that same problem. It's the harsh angle the water reservoir line has at it goes from the water reservoir through that rubber grommeted hole into the main body. There were several things I did.
Push out that silly rubber grommet that make the hole in the body a lot smaller. Adjust the length of hose between the body and the reservoir so that it doesn't create a kink. Completely reroute the hose to go into the body from the front instead of through that hole.
In the end Tim O Connor rerouted the hose for me when he had come to make a modification to the refill sensor connections. He put springs instead of metal tabs. This fixed the problem permanently.
My line from the reservoir enters the body from the front already, not through a hole. I looked at the line carefully, and no obstruction is visible; it's slightly kinked or deformed from touching the bolt on the body a few inches back from where it exits the reservoir (heat and pressure working together to deform the line, methinks), but only barely, and certainly does not appear blocked.
Worst of all, tonight, it started doing this while I was using the machine and wouldn't stop - I couldn't turn it on without it immediately making the noise and very loudly. It finally stopped after I let it cool down for half an hour to an hour, and when I turned it back on at 175 degrees, it successfully filled the boiler.
Any thoughts about what might cause it to fail repeatedly and then finally succeed only when the machine has cooled?
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 