ECM Senior Member Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 336 Location: Burlington, Ontario Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Giotto Premium + Cantesa... Grinder: Mazzer Robour E Vac Pot: French Press Drip: yes Roaster: Fresh Roast+8, i-roast and...
Posted Wed Feb 27, 2013, 5:58pm Subject: Visual Blindness - GS3 Maintenance HELP
Hello folks:
I will be purchasing a GS3 next week. I have some questions regarding maintenance due to my visual blindness.
I am trying to decide between the AV version verses the paddle. Now I know from reading these forms everyone will immediately advise me to go with the paddle version for a variety of reasons including the “pressure profiling” mod.
A BIT OG BACKGROUND: Currently I am using a Giotto P which has been operating flawlessly for the past 10 years. In fact the only item that ever had to be replaced other then the usual gaskets and such was the P-stat which only failed this past summer! Really it’s been an amazing HX to work on. What I truly love about the Giotto P it that it has basically been maintenance free for me. I wake up flip the switch and 45 minutes later…. Espresso!
I am a little frightened by the maintenance régime of the GS3 Paddle. Not because I’m lazy or mechanically challenged, (which I am by the way), but because I’m legally blind. I have only 4% vision in one eye to work with. So changing those pesky O-rings in the paddle version is going to challenging for me I fear.
I’m currently leaning toward the AV version because I’m told by an on line e-commerce coffee business that the AV version requires much less maintenance.
I would like to know specifically what general maintenance on the AV version should I anticipate having to handle? I have no issues with changing gaskets and taking off the shower screen. These are routine things I do on my Giotto and are very easy tasks to complete. I’m more concerned with having to take things apart that contain small items that are difficult to see and manipulate. I’m told these O-rings are a PITA!
I would love to have the paddle version and to have the pressure mod done but I’m afraid of all the O-ring replacements. Taking it a repair shop for this sort of work is wasteful and expensive …. Out of the question. Pluming in the paddle is also not an option for me. If I wanted the paddle I would either have to use the onboard tank or a float-jet system.
So what sorts of items will I be looking at needing replacement or maintenance on the GS3 AV version?
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu Feb 28, 2013, 5:57pm Subject: Re: Visual Blindness - GS3 Maintenance HELP
Can't answer you about the GS/3. Might I suggest a machine that many GS/3 owners are selling their machines for and should be a lot easier to work on? (and probably half the price)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,684 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Fri Mar 1, 2013, 6:39am Subject: Re: Visual Blindness - GS3 Maintenance HELP
Another high end tier maker you should look at is http://www.synesso.com/default.aspx?ID=1 My personal preference is Cyncra but you might be very interested in the Sabre, http://www.synesso.com/default.aspx?ID=15 as you will be having aids help you. I have a volumetric machine and see NO issues in using one, I love it. YMMV!
Just saying... There are several great machines in this tier of espresso.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
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