October 2006 Newsletter

Spare parts are a necessary evil; sooner or later any machine
wears out, somewhere, and being able to quickly replace the
busted bits to get things working again can be a great relief.
Where espresso machines are concerned, it's taken for granted
that obsolescence is built in to certain parts.

In particular, the rubber bits (o-rings, group gaskets, washers
etc.) on any machine probably have a maximum life of around 3
years with light use, less with heavy use. Other bits (the spouts
on 57mm Imat, Quaha/Nemox/Ascaso portafilters, for instance) wear
out every couple of years. Some parts, like ULKA pumps, seem to
go on forever unless mistreated.

In most cases, you can replace worn rubber bits and some other
parts at home, with some minor handyman skills and common tools.
Now, when it comes to finding someone who supplies the parts you
need, a lot of people come straight to me. This is of course
logical and expected, and in some cases the only way to get the
bit you need. But for most stuff (particularly the Rancilio
Silvia) it's cheaper if you buy the bits you need directly from
supplier. Otherwise you pay my GST inclusive cost, plus 10%, plus
GST. Which usually works out to be 25% over what you would have
paid by buying direct.

For Imat parts, www.lygonimport.com.au is the ultimate source,
except if you want spouts that never wear out, Coffeeparts
no.511673. For Rancilio (and many laScala) parts,
www.coffeeparts.com is the source.

To be precise:
700151  Group Gasket
700347  Water Distributor
700164  Shower Screen
700326  Showerscreen Bolt
700299  Portafilter
511673  Portafilter Spouts
700179-22 Solenoid Coil
617160-22 Ulka Pump

These are the bits that I use most often, especially the group
gaskets. Replacing the gaskets is a 5 minute job if done
correctly. Getting old gaskets out of  "commercial" groups like
Silvia's can be a trial, but nothing that can't be solved with a couple
of long self tapping screws and some pliers.

Napoletana/Mokita Combi etc. Gasket Replacement.
 
The only tool needed is a small, flat headed, fairly blunt
screwdriver.
Unplug your machine from the powerpoint, remove the water tank
and bean hopper, and turn the machine upside down on a smooth,
flat, sturdy surface. Slide the screwdriver under the inner
circumference of the old gasket, adjacent to one of the
portafilter locking slots, and lift the gasket up to the point
where you can grasp it with your fingers. Pull the old gasket
out. Clean the gap out thoroughly after removing the old gasket.
 
Insert the new gasket into the slot starting at the back, and
ensuring that the inner and outer circumferences are flat against
the walls, and the gasket is not twisted. Use the screwdriver tip
to stretch and prod the gasket until it is fitted around the
brewhead,(remember, it's rubber, it stretches) then insert the
portafilte(with the 2 - cup basket in) and tighten the
portafilter as hard as possible. This will seat the gasket. Turn
your machine upright, replace the tank and hopper, and prime the
pump by running water through the machine with the steam valve
open.

Silvia/Commercial Group Gasket Replacement

Installation is easy, remove all your machine
"furniture" and turn the machine upside down. Screw a couple of
self tapping wood screws into the  old gasket, grasp the screws
with a pair of pliers and pull out the gasket. Chase down any
remaining bits with a flat head screwdriver, clean out the gasket
space with detergent, brush and kitchen paper, insert new gasket
bevelled side in. Bed the gasket in by inserting the PF and
tightening it a few times.

The Imat group is shallower and the gasket thinner (3mm) and more flexible than commercial gaskets, so it's easier to replace.	The deeper group and thicker (8mm) gasket of the Silvia make removal more difficult. 2 long self tapping woodscrews help.
After screwing in the screws it's a matter of gently extracting the gasket with the pliers.	Once the gasket is out you throw it away; it can't be re-used.

The response to last month's newsletter was massive; I ended up
getting supportive emails from all over the world, in which the
most common opinion was "hubris", and several messages from
people telling me that I needed a new set of tastebuds. I think
the "tastebud" people missed the point I was trying to make: once
you've got the Rancilio Silvia, portafilter etc. all warmed up,
what ends up in your cup gets there at a pretty standard
temperature. As long as you're tasting it at that temperature,
68ºC or so, your tastebuds are NOT going to pick up much
variation. As it cools may be a different matter, but espresso is
meant to be drunk quickly. Mind you, none of my detractors
bothered to try the experiment for themselves!

Over the past year or so I've had several excellent African
coffees as specials, and ended up with bits & pieces left over
from some of them. I thought it would be fun to try and develop a
blend to use them up, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality
of the results. So this month's special is

African Blend
$36.00/kg

This is a medium strength coffee with a deep, full body, a fruity
citrus aroma and front palate, and just a hint of clean acidity
moderating into a long rich chocolate finish.

By next month I hope to be able to tell you that have all my
Christmas machine stocks in. Until then

Alan