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Date: 22 Sep 2006 17:04:41
From: Ruth Rosenberg
Subject: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
the use of the steamer?
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Date: 22 Sep 2006 10:18:26
From: Karl
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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Of course, the problem is with turning the machine ON with the boiler
empty. If it were really empty, the heating element would burn out.
Steaming lowers the water level in the boiler. If you steam long
enough, the element can be exposed, over heat, and burn out. After
steaming, hitting the hot water switch with the steam valve open, and
running the pump until you get water (rather than steam) from the steam
wand is a very good habit to get into.
This will also increase your steam pressure next time you steam. When
the boiler is low, your steam pressure drops off very quickly. I
suspect this is because of the lower mass (and, therefore, less heat)
of the hot water, but am not really sure.
Karl Rice
Ruth Rosenberg wrote:
> Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
> In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
> the use of the steamer?
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Date: 22 Sep 2006 17:46:31
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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"Ruth Rosenberg" <NOSPAM_PLEASE@verizon.net > wrote:
>Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
>In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
>the use of the steamer?
>
Yes. Always leave the boiler full after a session.
Randy "the glass is 2/4's full" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 22 Sep 2006 14:30:34
From: daveb
Subject: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler? Right now!
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Yes, it is important to refill promptly after steaming!!
otherwise you may forget next time it is turned on -- leaving the
heating element heating air rather than water -- which can at minimum
'pop' the over temp thermostat, or worse BURN UP boiler element.
Typical repair of this: $125 to $150.
Dave
Saeco / Rancilio service SE
118
Ruth Rosenberg wrote:
> Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
> In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
> the use of the steamer?
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Date: 22 Sep 2006 22:40:44
From: anthony
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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Randy G. wrote:
> "Ruth Rosenberg" <NOSPAM_PLEASE@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> >Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
> >In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
> >the use of the steamer?
> >
> Yes. Always leave the boiler full after a session.
>
Any preference for method? My machine's supplier (an ECM Botticelli
rather than the Silvia, but v similar requirements) states he thinks
that hitting the Brew button for a few seconds after turning off the
steam is the best way to go. Any thoughts on the difference here
compared to the hot-water method advocated earlier?
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Date: 23 Sep 2006 07:03:37
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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to quote from the website,
"As soon as you have made your drinks, TURN OFF THE STEAM SWITCH. Then open
the steam knob and turn on the water switch, until water runs out of the
steam wand. This refills the boiler and protects the element, as well as
clearing milk from inside the wand. Clean the dried milk off the wand with a
damp cloth."
Should be the same for any "single boiler" non-HX machine.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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Date: 23 Sep 2006 12:01:04
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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"Coffee for Connoisseurs" <alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au > wrote:
>to quote from the website,
>
>"As soon as you have made your drinks, TURN OFF THE STEAM SWITCH. Then open
>the steam knob and turn on the water switch, until water runs out of the
>steam wand. This refills the boiler and protects the element, as well as
>clearing milk from inside the wand. Clean the dried milk off the wand with a
>damp cloth."
>
>Should be the same for any "single boiler" non-HX machine.
>
I agree. With Silvia, I turn off the steam switch, place a steaming
pitcher under the wand, and open the steam valve, after the force of
the steam coming from the wand drops a bit (after about 10 to 15
seconds) I turn on the hot water switch (pump on). When I get a good
stream of water I close the valve and turn off the hot water switch.
This should always be done before brewing (after steaming) as well as
before turning the machine off. I do this every time because I know I
can safely turn off the machine knowing that when, in an early-morning
daze, I turn it on the next morning that the boiler is full. It is a
good habit to get into. In nearly 6 years of use I have never had to
reset the overheat button.
Randy "fingers crossed" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 24 Sep 2006 06:43:46
From: daveb
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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rg's posts are redundant 'cuz he does not read mine.
d 119 b
Randy G. wrote:
> "Coffee for Connoisseurs" <alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au> wrote:
>
> >to quote from the website,
> >
> >"As soon as you have made your drinks, TURN OFF THE STEAM SWITCH. Then open
> >the steam knob and turn on the water switch, until water runs out of the
> >steam wand. This refills the boiler and protects the element, as well as
> >clearing milk from inside the wand. Clean the dried milk off the wand with a
> >damp cloth."
> >
> >Should be the same for any "single boiler" non-HX machine.
> >
> I agree. With Silvia, I turn off the steam switch, place a steaming
> pitcher under the wand, and open the steam valve, after the force of
> the steam coming from the wand drops a bit (after about 10 to 15
> seconds) I turn on the hot water switch (pump on). When I get a good
> stream of water I close the valve and turn off the hot water switch.
> This should always be done before brewing (after steaming) as well as
> before turning the machine off. I do this every time because I know I
> can safely turn off the machine knowing that when, in an early-morning
> daze, I turn it on the next morning that the boiler is full. It is a
> good habit to get into. In nearly 6 years of use I have never had to
> reset the overheat button.
>
> Randy "fingers crossed" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 12:45:50
From: Ruth Rosenberg
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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Lots of thanks to all replies.
So if I understand correctly, after steaming and before shutting down the
machine (or preparing for another brew), I should turn on the hot-water
switch and wait until hot water comes out of the wand, and only then turn
off the machine (or prepare another brew).
I still didn't figure out why it is better than filling the boiler using the
brew switch. Any ideas?
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 10:03:13
From: GeeDubb
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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"Ruth Rosenberg" <NOSPAM_PLEASE@verizon.net > wrote in message
news:2cQRg.5426$8O1.1097@trnddc04...
> Lots of thanks to all replies.
>
> So if I understand correctly, after steaming and before shutting down the
> machine (or preparing for another brew), I should turn on the hot-water
> switch and wait until hot water comes out of the wand, and only then turn
> off the machine (or prepare another brew).
>
> I still didn't figure out why it is better than filling the boiler using
> the brew switch. Any ideas?
>
>
The brew switch draws water from the bottom of the boiler thus not filling
the void at the top of the boiler. The hot-water switch draws water from
the top of the boiler and forces the void at the top to be filled with
water.
hope that helps
Gary
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 13:14:02
From: St. John Smythe
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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GeeDubb wrote:
> The brew switch draws water from the bottom of the boiler thus not
> filling the void at the top of the boiler. The hot-water switch draws
> water from the top of the boiler and forces the void at the top to be
> filled with water.
Yes, you're right, but...somehow the boiler ends up getting filled,
regardless. I almost never steam, and yet every time I open the steam
valve, there's a fair amount of water that needs to be purged.
--
St. John
Old timer, n.:
One who remembers when charity was a virtue and not an organization.
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 11:29:58
From: GeeDubb
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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"St. John Smythe" <sinjen@n4vu.com > wrote in message
news:ef92oq$1jn$1@n4vu2.n4vu.com...
> GeeDubb wrote:
>> The brew switch draws water from the bottom of the boiler thus not
>> filling the void at the top of the boiler. The hot-water switch draws
>> water from the top of the boiler and forces the void at the top to be
>> filled with water.
>
> Yes, you're right, but...somehow the boiler ends up getting filled,
> regardless. I almost never steam, and yet every time I open the steam
> valve, there's a fair amount of water that needs to be purged.
>
> --
> St. John
> Old timer, n.:
> One who remembers when charity was a virtue and not an
> organization.
similar experience here but I was trying to clarify "why" everyone suggested
using the hot-water switch to refill the boiler after steaming.
I also get a fair amount of water at first from my big Unic twin when
steaming and I know the boiler doesn't fill up completely. All I can figure
is steam condensing in the steam line that must be purged first....???
Gary (time for another shot)
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 22:29:23
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: When to re-fill Silvia's boiler?
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"Ruth Rosenberg" <NOSPAM_PLEASE@verizon.net > wrote:
>Is there a problem if the machine is being turned off with the boiler empty?
>In other words, is it important to re-fill the boiler immediately following
>the use of the steamer?
>
The boiler will have less air or steam and more water in it if you
fill it through the hot water wand than by using the brew switch....
From Pump __________________
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