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Date: 13 Jun 2006 12:00:00
From:
Subject: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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Ok, I've tried searching through the archives to find an answer to what
I thought would be a common problem, but perhaps it's just me.
What can I do to solve my 4-yr-old Silvia from spitting sideways from
both pf spouts? For my normal double ristretto, for about 50% of my
shots I get crema from the beginning of the stream outside of my cup on
the drip tray, and when I'm using the cheating Silvia routine to
please-please-warm-up-fast-cause-I-NEED-it-now and am pulling a blank
shot or two, I inevitably am cleaning up water from even outside of the
drip tray area, and am cursing my sleepiness cause I got my hands
almost burned yet again.
I just replaced the gasket again, thinking this may be the problem.
Nope. No difference. I do do a pretty good maintenance schedule in
keeping the equipment squeaky clean (at least once-weekly overnight
Cafiza soaking of pf, basket, group screen and dispersing screw) and in
between I use a scrubbie to keep the grunge away.
The only possible clue I saw in trolling the archives is a 2003
(pre-crotchless) discussion of '2 spouts bad for crema. Bad bad bad. 1
spout or no spouts good." The discussion included a lot of disbelief in
the op's idea that there could be a taste difference. Quite funny, now
that the crotchless pf has been around enough to actually have
credibility. Must this be the way I go now? Why is my Silvia insisting
on burning me in my pre-caffeinated morning state these days?
Thanks for any thoughts or advice. I'm very appreciative for the
education this ng has given me over the years to improve my roasting
and drinking appreciation. Muchos gracias.
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Date: 13 Jun 2006 18:25:46
From:
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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Randy G. wrote:
>
> I had the same sypmptoms you describe recently, and suddenly, when I
> bought a new LM basket that was just a tiny bit smaller than the one
> it was to replace, and the tamper was such a close fit that it was
> extremely difficult to get a good tamp.
>
>
Ah-hah! Randy, you're got it! I also had replaced my stock double
basket with a LM double with a ridge, and had bought a new 57mm convex
tamper to go with it. Darn it, to think back now, my pf spewing water
horizontally did start just about then.
So.. if it's happening with blank pulls with no grinds in it at all,
does that mean the 57mm LM basket is the issue, er.. problem? But I
like the extra deepness that gets me more grounds per shot.
In any case, it seems I have an equipment mismatch. I need either
a) another stock double basket that does fit well with my 58mm RB
tamper (but back to somewhat less grounds & taste again)
or b) a different 57mm piston, maybe back to a flat one, or perhaps
even a 56 mm one.
You know, it's worth the trouble to get another couple pieces of
equipment to switch out just to see. I'll probably end up putting in an
order for a new Rancilio stock basket (mine had bit the dust anyway
after so long), a 57mm flat piston to screw on my Reg Barber handle,
and I'm toying with getting a more professional heavier pf handle -- if
I do, it will have a screw on/off spout and I'll get a single spout to
play with.
Guess the bottom line is always the same ... "Dear, don't look at that
Visa bill. I know, I needed just a couple more things."
And Randy, just to let you know, I still wear my ac t-shirt all the
time and everyone I meet has to try to read it.. until they get
thoroughly over their heads by the second or third line. I love it,
love it, love it! Your efforts are much appreciated.
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Date: 13 Jun 2006 19:16:24
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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nahrissa@concentric.net wrote:
>
>Randy G. wrote:
>>
>> I had the same sypmptoms you describe recently, and suddenly, when I
>> bought a new LM basket that was just a tiny bit smaller than the one
>> it was to replace, and the tamper was such a close fit that it was
>> extremely difficult to get a good tamp.
>>
>>
>Ah-hah! Randy, you're got it! I also had replaced my stock double
>basket with a LM double with a ridge, and had bought a new 57mm convex
>tamper to go with it. Darn it, to think back now, my pf spewing water
>horizontally did start just about then.
>
SOmetimes I get lucky.. ;-)
>So.. if it's happening with blank pulls with no grinds in it at all,
>does that mean the 57mm LM basket is the issue, er.. problem? But I
>like the extra deepness that gets me more grounds per shot.
>
>In any case, it seems I have an equipment mismatch. I need either
>
>a) another stock double basket that does fit well with my 58mm RB
>tamper (but back to somewhat less grounds & taste again)
>
>or b) a different 57mm piston, maybe back to a flat one, or perhaps
>even a 56 mm one.
>
The details of what happened to me are in the thread:
SUBJECT: La Marzocco double basket(s)....?:
But basically it was the same story you described. SOmetimes good
flosw, and other times really horrible fracturing of the puck causing
spurting out the spouts- or is that spouting out the spurts...?
It seems that there is a low level of QC with whoever is making the LM
double baskets. I really like the LM double basket, but what a pain. I
switched back to the old one and the problem disappeared.
>And Randy, just to let you know, I still wear my ac t-shirt all the
>time and everyone I meet has to try to read it.. until they get
>thoroughly over their heads by the second or third line. I love it,
>love it, love it! Your efforts are much appreciated.
>
:-D
I still wear mine all over as well, and have only had one person try
to read it all, and that was at an SCAA show! I think the only people
who would understand it already own one!
CHEERS!
Randy "have 4!" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 13 Jun 2006 14:08:04
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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nahrissa@concentric.net wrote:
>What can I do to solve my 4-yr-old Silvia from spitting sideways from
>both pf spouts?
>
This spitting sideways is a sign that there is possibly a problem with
one or more of the following:
-A cracked portafilter basket
-A dropped and/or deformed basket or tamper that now
do not fit well together
-Improper dosing or distribution in basket
-Uneven tamping
-Tamping force not matching the grind
-A tamper that is not a good match to the basket
I had the same sypmptoms you describe recently, and suddenly, when I
bought a new LM basket that was just a tiny bit smaller than the one
it was to replace, and the tamper was such a close fit that it was
extremely difficult to get a good tamp.
Randy "expectorating Silvia" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 13 Jun 2006 13:20:12
From: daveb
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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Or, it could be the water temp. is WAY too high... you may be at the
'peak' of the curve
this happens OFTEN in a stock silvia.
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
nahrissa@concentric.net wrote:
> Ok, I've tried searching through the archives to find an answer to what
> I thought would be a common problem, but perhaps it's just me.
>
> What can I do to solve my 4-yr-old Silvia from spitting sideways from
> both pf spouts? For my normal double ristretto, for about 50% of my
> shots I get crema from the beginning of the stream outside of my cup on
> the drip tray, and when I'm using the cheating Silvia routine to
> please-please-warm-up-fast-cause-I-NEED-it-now and am pulling a blank
> shot or two, I inevitably am cleaning up water from even outside of the
> drip tray area, and am cursing my sleepiness cause I got my hands
> almost burned yet again.
>
> I just replaced the gasket again, thinking this may be the problem.
> Nope. No difference. I do do a pretty good maintenance schedule in
> keeping the equipment squeaky clean (at least once-weekly overnight
> Cafiza soaking of pf, basket, group screen and dispersing screw) and in
> between I use a scrubbie to keep the grunge away.
>
> The only possible clue I saw in trolling the archives is a 2003
> (pre-crotchless) discussion of '2 spouts bad for crema. Bad bad bad. 1
> spout or no spouts good." The discussion included a lot of disbelief in
> the op's idea that there could be a taste difference. Quite funny, now
> that the crotchless pf has been around enough to actually have
> credibility. Must this be the way I go now? Why is my Silvia insisting
> on burning me in my pre-caffeinated morning state these days?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts or advice. I'm very appreciative for the
> education this ng has given me over the years to improve my roasting
> and drinking appreciation. Muchos gracias.
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Date: 13 Jun 2006 12:54:18
From: Karl
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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> The only possible clue I saw in trolling the archives is a 2003
> (pre-crotchless) discussion of '2 spouts bad for crema. Bad bad bad. 1
> spout or no spouts good." The discussion included a lot of disbelief in
> the op's idea that there could be a taste difference. Quite funny, now
> that the crotchless pf has been around enough to actually have
> credibility. Must this be the way I go now? Why is my Silvia insisting
> on burning me in my pre-caffeinated morning state these days?
Go crotchless. If you're doing something wrong, it really will help you
see what's wrong with the shot - channeling, etc. When you pull the
shot right it flows into one stream and into your cup. I was skeptical
before, but since one came with my Brewtus and I tried it, I'd never go
back. You could try removing your double spout (should unscrew), which
works fine, but a true crotchless PF really helps you see what's going
on.
Karl "I've seen the light and I now believe" Rice
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Date: 14 Jun 2006 06:33:11
From: daveb
Subject: Re: I'm tired of my Silvia spitting sideways
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If you are getting a mix of steam and water shooting out at right
angles from the dual spouts, with no coffee in the holder,
your brew water temp is TOO HIGH -- THAT IS THE ONLY reason!
Many many stock silvias will do this
Dave,
79 pid silvias
nahrissa@concentric.net wrote:
> Ok, I've tried searching through the archives to find an answer to what
> I thought would be a common problem, but perhaps it's just me.
>
> What can I do to solve my 4-yr-old Silvia from spitting sideways from
> both pf spouts? For my normal double ristretto, for about 50% of my
> shots I get crema from the beginning of the stream outside of my cup on
> the drip tray, and when I'm using the cheating Silvia routine to
> please-please-warm-up-fast-cause-I-NEED-it-now and am pulling a blank
> shot or two, I inevitably am cleaning up water from even outside of the
> drip tray area, and am cursing my sleepiness cause I got my hands
> almost burned yet again.
>
> I just replaced the gasket again, thinking this may be the problem.
> Nope. No difference. I do do a pretty good maintenance schedule in
> keeping the equipment squeaky clean (at least once-weekly overnight
> Cafiza soaking of pf, basket, group screen and dispersing screw) and in
> between I use a scrubbie to keep the grunge away.
>
> The only possible clue I saw in trolling the archives is a 2003
> (pre-crotchless) discussion of '2 spouts bad for crema. Bad bad bad. 1
> spout or no spouts good." The discussion included a lot of disbelief in
> the op's idea that there could be a taste difference. Quite funny, now
> that the crotchless pf has been around enough to actually have
> credibility. Must this be the way I go now? Why is my Silvia insisting
> on burning me in my pre-caffeinated morning state these days?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts or advice. I'm very appreciative for the
> education this ng has given me over the years to improve my roasting
> and drinking appreciation. Muchos gracias.
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