Spent pucks always have "holes'
I'm having issues with my espresso machine. Every espresso puck consistently has "holes".
I have a Cimbali machine. I've replaced the holder gaskets, the screens and the shower disc.
No matter how "tight" I pack the espresso into my portafilter - this always happens to the puck.
Do you know what's causing this?
I have a Cimbali machine. I've replaced the holder gaskets, the screens and the shower disc.
No matter how "tight" I pack the espresso into my portafilter - this always happens to the puck.
Do you know what's causing this?
- Attachments:
-
-
espresso buck.jpg, 140 KB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Schane Gross on
-
Aughh! My fingers are to fat for my phone, sorry. I totally did not mean to type like a rube talks.
Schane Gross said:I don't doubt fir one minute I need more education. I just joined the Barista's Guild and my lead barista/bartender us joining as well... But I feel there is an issue with my machine along with my technique. I open tomorrow and will take more pics/video of the process. Thanks
-
Permalink Reply by Fraser Jamieson on
-
Tonight at work I was able to simulate your problem by removing the shower screen.
Again, is this from both sides of your machine?
-
-
Yes it is. My espresso pour times at the better part of 26 seconds. I pulled out a weight scale and measured my ramping pressure - less than 40#, if it means anything. This time the puck wasn't cracked but it was super soggy and both heads made the same holes. I'm diassembling them in the morning.
Fraser Jamieson said:Tonight at work I was able to simulate your problem by removing the shower screen. Again, is this from both sides of your machine?
-
Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on
-
Really tight? 30lbs, 40lbs, 60lbs, ? Over 30lbs and you will have problems.
There is way more fine print here so I will leave it to more experienced barista's to finish this subject.
Schane Gross said:Just a note added to this, I don't normally pack my espresso really tight. With the problem I'm having now it's either a tight pack with holes blown into the spent puck or a real watery (what would be a...) puck that's very messy.
-
-
This morning I went in to disassemble the heads but stopped because I have a tech coming in to look at it.
I pulled out the scale to measure my weight of tamping and I tried it at 30 and less. I don't have cracking but I still have holes. The only reason I pressed hard was to see if it made the holes go away and it doesn't. I don't tamp at all and it's just a mess when I pull off the portafilter.
Will report on what tech has to say after he arrives and I will attain better technique training, but until I have something more to report... Over and out. Thanks everyone
Joseph Robertson said:Really tight? 30lbs, 40lbs, 60lbs, ? Over 30lbs and you will have problems.
There is way more fine print here so I will leave it to more experienced barista's to finish this subject.
Schane Gross said:Just a note added to this, I don't normally pack my espresso really tight. With the problem I'm having now it's either a tight pack with holes blown into the spent puck or a real watery (what would be a...) puck that's very messy.
-
Permalink Reply by Lorenzo Perkins on
-
Any updates on the mystery holes?
-
-
Now I'm more interested than ever!
Today I was installing a new K10 Doserless at a cafe near where I live and drawing off a number of shots in the process.
Well, guess what? Their espresso machine was giving me very similar holes.
To me it looks like the shower screens are a bit old, but I didn't think they looked all that bad.
Like I said: Now I'm more interested than ever!
-
-
*bump* I can't help myself . . . i gotta know what's happening with your holes. Geez, that sounded so dirty.
-
Permalink Reply by Kevin Ayers on
-
The photos look like what I've seen come out of home machines with poorly designed group heads. If it's not forcing the water sideways through the screw, I can only imagine you will not get rid of this problem without getting a new machine.
-
Permalink Reply by Jason Haeger on
-
It looks to me like either the dose is too high, or the group head badly in need of attention.
La Cimbali machines don't give a lot of room for updosing, and doing so can result in some pretty horrendous channeling. Not always, but I've seen it more than once or twice.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
Barista Exchange Partners
Barista Exchange Friends
Keep Barista Exchange Free
Are you enjoying Barista Exchange? Is it helping you promote your business and helping you network in this great industry? Donate today to keep it free to all members. Supporters can join the "Supporters Group" with a donation. Thanks!
© 2024 Created by Matt Milletto.
Powered by
