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Main
Date: 13 Nov 2006 04:36:46
From:
Subject: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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Hello,
I've won a Isomac Tea espresso machine and are having some problems to
get it up and running.
The problem is that I don't get enough pressure while making the
coffee.
I haven't yet tried with different kind of coffee, but I bought a
normal espresso coffee (Lavazza Espresso Nero). I use the single cup
portafiller and put about 1 full spoon (the spoon that came with the
machine) and press with the tamper firmly.
With this procedure I get 2-3 bars and a "lipton-style" espresso. The
water runs out directly (as I've understood it this should take 20-25
seconds).
The pump pressure (the meter on the left) is at 1.2-1.4 which should be
ok according to instructions.
I let the water run for a while so it's hot and I get steam of the
steamer. The water does not fell burning hot though. When the coffee
button is down the pressure is about 4 bars. The green light is on as
it should. And I've RTFM that btw seems to assume that one already has
a couple of professional barista years of experience.
Do you think it's broken or may it work with another bean or is it me
that do something wrong?
Since I won it I might have some problems finding warantee/support even
though it should be possible in some way.
B.r.
Johan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 10:31:17
From: daveb
Subject: user? -- partly :-)
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Hi.
not in any particlar order:
1) You need a GOOD tamper
2) You need freshly ground coffee -- grinder?
3) Throw AWAY the single shot basket.
but you need to do all 3 at least.
check back! thanks!
DAVE
159.5
877 286 2833
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 07:59:16
From:
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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Hello again,
thanks a lot for the quick replies.
To specify, yes, Lavazza nero is supposed to be preground for espresso
machines.
I'm going to buy a grinder but I thought I at least should be able to
do an ok even if not excellent espresso with pre-grounded italian
espresso powder.
However, it sounds like I should go to my local coffee store and make
them grind some for me so I can continue my troubleshooting from there.
/ Johan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 11:16:27
From: Dan Bollinger
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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> I'm going to buy a grinder but I thought I at least should be able to
> do an ok even if not excellent espresso with pre-grounded italian
> espresso powder.
It should be close.
> However, it sounds like I should go to my local coffee store and make
> them grind some for me so I can continue my troubleshooting from there.
Ask if you can grind a pound, but into different bags, each at a slightly
different grind.
Dan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 10:13:59
From: Dan Bollinger
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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> I've won a Isomac Tea espresso machine and are having some problems to
> get it up and running.
> The problem is that I don't get enough pressure while making the
> coffee.
>
> I haven't yet tried with different kind of coffee, but I bought a
> normal espresso coffee (Lavazza Espresso Nero).
I'm unfamiliar with this coffee. Is it preground for use in espresso machines?
> I use the single cup
> portafiller and put about 1 full spoon (the spoon that came with the
> machine) and press with the tamper firmly.
> With this procedure I get 2-3 bars and a "lipton-style" espresso. The
> water runs out directly (as I've understood it this should take 20-25
> seconds).
Your gauge and your observation are in sync, both are saying the pressure is
low, but the flow is high. If the machine is perfect, the only remaining factor
is how fine the coffee is ground.
Switch to the double cup and see if your results are different.
> The pump pressure (the meter on the left) is at 1.2-1.4 which should be
> ok according to instructions.
That is the boiler pressure gauge.
> I let the water run for a while so it's hot and I get steam of the
> steamer. The water does not fell burning hot though. When the coffee
> button is down the pressure is about 4 bars. The green light is on as
> it should. And I've RTFM that btw seems to assume that one already has
> a couple of professional barista years of experience.
People pull shots differently, even on the same type machine. Yours is an E-61
head, which overheats when idle for about 20 minutes. What you do is run water
through the head until the hissing stops, then count to 6 seconds. This will put
the water in the right temp range. Mount your PF. Wait for the green light to go
out, then pull your shot. YMMV.
Dan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 07:04:17
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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You __NEED__ a good grinder. It sounds like you are using preground
coffee, and that makes it VERY (extremely) difficult, if not
impossible, to make espresso. Be prepared to spend $200 or more for a
good grinder if you are serious about the machine.
Randy "check my website" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
a95johjo@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>Hello,
>I've won a Isomac Tea espresso machine and are having some problems to
>get it up and running.
>The problem is that I don't get enough pressure while making the
>coffee.
>
>I haven't yet tried with different kind of coffee, but I bought a
>normal espresso coffee (Lavazza Espresso Nero). I use the single cup
>portafiller and put about 1 full spoon (the spoon that came with the
>machine) and press with the tamper firmly.
>With this procedure I get 2-3 bars and a "lipton-style" espresso. The
>water runs out directly (as I've understood it this should take 20-25
>seconds).
>
>The pump pressure (the meter on the left) is at 1.2-1.4 which should be
>ok according to instructions.
>I let the water run for a while so it's hot and I get steam of the
>steamer. The water does not fell burning hot though. When the coffee
>button is down the pressure is about 4 bars. The green light is on as
>it should. And I've RTFM that btw seems to assume that one already has
>a couple of professional barista years of experience.
>
>Do you think it's broken or may it work with another bean or is it me
>that do something wrong?
>Since I won it I might have some problems finding warantee/support even
>though it should be possible in some way.
>
>B.r.
>Johan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 13:39:17
From: abimer
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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Kia ora Johan,
Preground coffee of this type is designed for inexpensive machines - -
which require a coarser grind than a good espresso machine, such as
your Tea, does.
If the grind is too coarse, water will flow straight through the coffee
with little resistance, as you have observed.
If you are going to get a shop to pregrind, make sure it is much finer
than what you bought. This might help you decide if you like coffee
enough to commit the extra money and get a grinder, or if you should
let the Isomac go...
Paul.
a95johjo@hotmail.com wrote:
> Hello,
> I've won a Isomac Tea espresso machine and are having some problems to
> get it up and running.
> The problem is that I don't get enough pressure while making the
> coffee.
>
> I haven't yet tried with different kind of coffee, but I bought a
> normal espresso coffee (Lavazza Espresso Nero). I use the single cup
> portafiller and put about 1 full spoon (the spoon that came with the
> machine) and press with the tamper firmly.
> With this procedure I get 2-3 bars and a "lipton-style" espresso. The
> water runs out directly (as I've understood it this should take 20-25
> seconds).
>
> The pump pressure (the meter on the left) is at 1.2-1.4 which should be
> ok according to instructions.
> I let the water run for a while so it's hot and I get steam of the
> steamer. The water does not fell burning hot though. When the coffee
> button is down the pressure is about 4 bars. The green light is on as
> it should. And I've RTFM that btw seems to assume that one already has
> a couple of professional barista years of experience.
>
> Do you think it's broken or may it work with another bean or is it me
> that do something wrong?
> Since I won it I might have some problems finding warantee/support even
> though it should be possible in some way.
>
> B.r.
> Johan
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 13:24:40
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or NO grinder!
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jim schulman wrote:
>
> Calling preground "coffee" coffee is like calling a pile of rust "steel"
THAT is a GREAT analogy!
regards,
Dave
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 14:45:13
From: jim schulman
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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On 13 Nov 2006 04:36:46 -0800, a95johjo@hotmail.com wrote:
>I haven't yet tried with different kind of coffee, but I bought a
>normal espresso coffee (Lavazza Espresso Nero). I use the single cup
>portafiller and put about 1 full spoon (the spoon that came with the
>machine) and press with the tamper firmly.
>With this procedure I get 2-3 bars and a "lipton-style" espresso. The
>water runs out directly (as I've understood it this should take 20-25
>seconds).
If you intend to use preground coffee, sell the machine now. If you
intend to drink actual coffee, buy a commercial quality grinder.
Calling preground "coffee" is like calling a pile of rust "steel"
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 15:00:57
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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jim schulman <jim_schulman@ameritech.net > wrote:
>
>If you intend to use preground coffee, sell the machine now. If you
>intend to drink actual coffee, buy a commercial quality grinder.
>Calling preground "coffee" is like calling a pile of rust "steel"
>
Not only is that description entertaining, it is, to a great extent,
scientifically correct. Grinding coffee and allowing it to be exposed
to air (even for a very short period of time) causes oxidation to take
place which stales the coffee. This is exactly what happens to steel-
add oxygen and it becomes iron oxide (rust). Nice one, Jim!
Johan,
Please be aware that the machine you have (the Isomac tea) is one of
high quality that sells for over $1000 now for the current model. A
great many people on this group would love to have a machine of that
quality and performance! It is one that is capable of making excellent
espresso when operated and fed properly. It will take some practice to
get the most from it, but for now, to get the best from this machine's
potential I would highly recommend finding a local source of freshly
roasted coffee that looks brown and not black, and does not have a lot
of oil showing. preferably blended for espresso. Along with that a
quality grinder is a must. Look at the mazzer Mini, the Rancilio
Rocky, or the Nuova Simonelli MCF. These grinders are at the "bottom
end" of those which are best suited for making espresso. They may seem
expensive, but will last many years and make lots of great coffee.
"lesser" grinders have less adjustability and smaller burr sets which
will not last., They also have lost of plastic that will not allow the
precise grinding that is needed for espresso.
Randy "Isomac Lust" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 15 Nov 2006 09:44:04
From:
Subject: Re: Isomac tea, broken machine or broken user?
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Today I tried with coffee grounded by a shop only 15 minutes before I
used it and the taste and behaviour was something completely different.
Now I get the pressure that I should get and I guess I will learn how
much coffee to put (I had to restart on my first attempt because
nothing came out :-) ) and how hard I should press with the tamper
(which in the end seems even more urgent to buy than a grinder, that
plastic thing is completely useless), and how to keep all the
components hot enough.
Thanks a lot for your help
/ Johan
Gothenburg, Sweden
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