Coffee Appreciation

I think I need a replacement Aeropress - this will be the third one - the seal goes over time and does hot splurt when plunging etc.

Is there a not too spendy machine I should look at instead? probably don't really need a frother whatsit, although I spose the odd home Latte might be quite nice

Yeah they’re connected.

Should the thermostats be giving 0 resistance? If I check them on my ohmeter, I get 16 ohms.

I don’t see how the boiler can be on, if the mains switch on the machine is off. Having looked at wiring diagram.

The boiler does not go off when it gets up to heat. There seems to be no limit of ‘up to heat’. So it seems like the thermostats are not working.

This and this.
Not the 'real' thing, but delicious coffee.

2 Attachments

Update.

If I unplug the element. Then turn the power on, the boiler does not do anything.
Mcphld this meant it’s the element that’s dead? Any way to test for sure.

I think you can buy a spare plunger if that helps, eg.

It's the heating element.

I checked the continuity and it's in circuit with the ground.

@Fox @HatBeard I'm pulling shots waaaay too fast I've dialled fineness down in stages and checked tamp etc but still coming out fast and under. Any ideas?

I think you can buy a spare plunger if that helps, eg.

nice thanks

not enough grind for the basket?

Go finer.

What's the puck look like? photo?

Someone already mentioned, but you can defo buy the replacement parts. I suppose it would still add up if you are replacing them fairly regularly?
https://www.coffeehit.co.uk/aeropress-rubber-seal.html

mess with the amount of coffee used, try going up/down 0.5g and see if that helps at all.

some coffees I use 19g others 20g, sometimes it alters as the coffee gets a bit older/staler

If it's the element that could be worse, at least not a whole new boiler. But:

If I unplug the element. Then turn the power on, the boiler does not do anything.

Surely the boiler won't do anything if you unplug the element? Am I being dim?

Go finer.

Yeah this. I use a double basket, 18g, both sliders on my Vario all the way up to finest.

Make like you're making a ristretto.

That milk frother - kill it. Kill it with fire ;)

It stops it shorting.
See my second post. There is not continuity between on the element. So it's in circuit with the grounding, hence when there is power to the machine it's getting power. That would explain why it tripped. As the machine is always plugged in and turned on, so yesterday during the day, the boiler element stopped working. At which point it shorted itself and was able to power on, even with the machine switched off. As it was getting power through the grounding.

Makes sense. You're in your element here aren't you?*

I don't know how old your Silvia is but make sure you get the right element. There are two...

*Sorry

My electronics is basic, just what was covered in physics a level. I’m better at just taking stuff apart. Sometimes is goes back together.

Yeah. It’s the newer one. Everywhere’s our of stock, but I found one on eBay. Thanks for the help!

Fingers crossed.

Have you looked at a Bellman? Basically a very high quality mokka pot with steamer. They work great.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253204856013

Ok I’ll max out fineness and try increasing weight.

I’d done - 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5 last two days. I’ll try 20 and 21.

Will report back.

@skinny - y u no post pics? Sounds interesting!

if that fails you may need to recalibrate it, it's piss easy to do, there's instructions online for it.

https://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Vario-Series-Burr-Re-Calibration-2015.pdf

I have the removal tool to borrow if you need it but you can get it off without it quite easily.

I really like it. Mostly good design and size, not too loud. The grind catcher is a little bit of an annoying shape, but got used to that pretty quick. I also wish the grind settings dial, which is adjusted by turning the hopper had more resistance and some numbers so as to be a bit more accurate. I find it's quite easy to be unsure if it's clicked or not, and it's harder to remember 3rd dot to the left of 'aeropress' than it would be, say 7.3.

The quality of the grind seems good enough for my home use. Not going to rival any of the big bucks grinders but for £100 I couldn't find a better option.

This review is pretty good if you've not seen it https://youtu.be/aChUZZOp654

Nope, not gonna spend stupid amounts on something only used once a week or so.
I guess you've used one?

Separate thing, trying to get my head around the french press; I may have made a mistake in thinking I could get something to match the mokas in terms of strength and, um, lack of clarity.
Can't stand clarity in coffee.