TRoach Senior Member Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Vancouver Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Apr 21, 2012, 6:14pm Subject: Dead Avanti Minibar
I picked up this espresso machine from a guy selling refurbished machines on Craigslist last fall. It worked great for the most part but it was temperamental. I got the priming routine down, as the instruction manual lays it out, and I could often get really nice shots out of it. At one point, I had to return it to the guy because the gasket had blown on it (he also does repairs). I found that I could only tamp fairly lightly, despite the fact that the pump on this machine is supposed to be quiet strong. This is also contrary to another post I read on here about this machine. I think the gasket that was on it was actually the wrong size, and it blew out for this reason, coupled with the basket being tamped too firmly too many times. Any way, I got the machine back, good as new, and it worked well for a few more months. Unfortunately however, it began acting up and at some point, the pump started sounding different, like it didn't have as much power going through it. I was having more and more trouble pulling clean shots without any issues like sputtering etc. Eventually, it just stopped working. The machine no longer has any pressure, and I can only assume this means that the pump is fried. I was wondering if any one else has had this experience with this machine or any others, and if you have any advice or insight. I only spent $150 on the machine, so I don't know if its worth paying to get it fixed, as much as I miss using it.
bohica Senior Member Joined: 2 Apr 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Panama City FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario, Baratza... Drip: Bunn Thermal
Posted Fri Oct 26, 2012, 9:42pm Subject: Re: Dead Avanti Minibar
I just recently bought one of these off of ebay and it was basically a train wreck inside. I had to tear it down to descale it because, although the pump made the expected noises, it wouldn't move any water. I had an older Gaggia in the garage so I harvested the pump from it. It now moves water like it should. My remaining problem is a lack of a portafilter basket. I bought a Saeco basket but it is too deep and bottoms out in the portafilter with about a 2 mm gap at the top.
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