volfro Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Marietta, GA Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Sep 19, 2008, 1:27pm Subject: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Just joined the forums because I have a few questions regarding my new espresso machine.
I purchased an older Starbucks Barista machine from Craigslist--this guy was letting it go for $35, and it works, so I jumped on it. I've been shopping around for a good deal for awhile, and that was more than perfect.
I've had it and enjoyed it for a few weeks but I have some questions regarding maintenance and stuff:
I've been reading on the site about backflushing but I'm not quite sure what it means. Is this machine capable of backflushing?
I'm unable to find a proper portafilter, neither from Saeco nor Starbucks. Does anybody know where I can get a good, un-pressurized portafilter to fit this machine? (For the record, I have removed the parts that make the PF pressurized before and wouldn't mind doing it again--but obviously, it would be nice to have the proper filter.)
I've been shopping for awhile to find a good grinder. I don't expect to find a $300 grinder for $35, but if anybody has a quality grinder that can grind fine enough for this machine that they're willing to part with, I'd be much obliged. I'd love something along the lines of a Rocky, but I'm not willing to spend that much--and my current "burr-style" Capresso grinder isn't quite cutting it. I don't mind purchasing something that needs a little work.
Lastly: a collective "thank you" to everybody on these forums and to the mods of the site. Seriously. This is an invaluable resource that I've used for research for a long time; perhaps I can contribute something back now.
stefano65 Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 846 Location: Eugene OR Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vibiemme,Elektra, Grinder: Macap,Cunill, Isomac Vac Pot: not Drip: not Roaster: not
Posted Fri Sep 19, 2008, 1:41pm Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
The old starbuck barista is a single stage boiler machine you cannot backflush it descaling yes screen removal and some other maintenance we have non-pressurize portafilter on our site
volfro Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Marietta, GA Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Sep 19, 2008, 9:38pm Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Thanks for the info!
I found the non-pressurized PF on your site, but it appears as though it doesn't have the spring to keep the basket in. I'd prefer the spring-loaded kind--do you have one, or do you know where I can get one?
katthree3 Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2003 Posts: 45 Location: illinois Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: expobar pulsar Grinder: Astra
Posted Fri Sep 19, 2008, 9:55pm Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Hi had a barrisa for years. The portafilter stefanos sells has a plastic clip that holds the basket in, to relase the basket you press on the clip. I had this one and liked it. I do not think there is another kind for this machine. kat
volfro Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Marietta, GA Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Sep 19, 2008, 10:01pm Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Yeah, I saw the plastic clip. Seems like an extra part to break, but that's probably me being apprehensive for nothing. I wanted to avoid the plastic clips, though, because I had a couple of cheaper machines whose filter baskets were held in with the plastic thing, and didn't like it. The pressurized PF that came with the Barista has the spring inside.
Were you ever able to get latte art out of yours? I'm still practicing frothing milk, and the froth I create is fairly fine, but there's not much of it--and it's not especially pourable. I think my container isn't quite right, though. And there's gotta be something wrong with my method.
katthree3 Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2003 Posts: 45 Location: illinois Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: expobar pulsar Grinder: Astra
Posted Sat Sep 20, 2008, 8:11am Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Yep you can get microfoam from a barrista. Push the steam button to on, wait for light to go on then bleed the wand til the light goes off. This means the heater is activated and as long as you steam right away this does not allow the heater to go off. So ready light off means boiler heater on. This was a great trick to get better steam from this machine learned right here from coffee geek. I now have an expobar pulsar purchased from someone here ready to upgrade. It is the direct opposite of the barista. I was always heating everthing up on my first machine on the expobar you are always cooling the water down. I was so used to the barista it took a little time but now love the expobar. For me the best part is steaming the milk and pulling a shot at the same time. I had my first barista for 6 years, then when starbucks put them on sale bought another. My first is still in use at my Dad's the second is waiting to go on ebay. You are right about the plastic clip mine broke off howeve I still used the portafilter and had several spare baskets which made making multiple shots handy. Still even with the expobar not doing latte art. Just not even trying. Maybe one day. Kat
volfro Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Marietta, GA Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat Sep 20, 2008, 2:12pm Subject: Re: New Starbucks Barista (Saeco Vapore?) owner and coffeegeek member
Awesome, thank you for the info. I'll definitely give that heater trick a go next time I can't live without a milky coffee drink.
Did you ever have a problem with wet pucks, even with the pressurized PF? I think it's my cheap-o grinder, but I can't consistently get a good solid puck of grounds once the coffee is extracted.
Also, what grinder did you use with yours? Looking to get rid of one? ;)
Has anybody else out there tried to convert their pressurized PF into non-pressurized by removing all the innards? Does it work, or should I just buy a non-pressurized PF?
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