Got this fairly cheap, but it had some leaks.
So I picked up a full service and tune up kit, cleaned the boiler, added new seals, springs or gaskets where needed, cleaned pipes with a brush and she is making really good shots. I omitted the rubber pressure disc, but I think there is still some pressurization with the stock portafilter.
These things ars built like tanks, its a very manual device, but in a good way. It spits out a ton of steam. The only downside are no solenoid and portafilter availability is lacking, but it appears that a UK eBay shop has them for $42-43.
This was my first proper service on an espresso machine and an enjoyable exercise.
by omegaorgun
10 Comments
Very cool!
I applaud you. This machine is what re-started my espresso jouney
I was using a Saeco Rio Vapore (one of many names for these machines) and loved it. I still have it as a just in case.
You want the bottomless basket from Europe, and this basket sorry it won’t let me share a link, smash the top flat, cut it to match the diameter of the portafilter, you also want to trim out the inside of the portafilter to fit
https://preview.redd.it/69v786kykytd1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c94aa6a28e692a165c101e35077909b12b59b23
Was my first espresso machine! I always rocked the pressurized portafilter on this and had the cheapest grinder. Still made some decent lattes!
I have that same machine. Got it for $25 on Craigslist years ago looked brand new. Still working years later. It’s passable. Do I bring people over for espresso? No. But can it make a passable cortado or a kids hot cocoa? Yes.
Very cool. I had one of these for years. Once it went south, I moved up to a La Pavoni. I guess I should have done some research on it’s repairability (but let’s face it, it was a great excuse to get the La Pavoni LOL)
Is there anything on it that indicates who made it? That boiler looks very similar to the one in my Delonghi ECP 3420 (going off of memory, I had it apart a few weeks ago) so maybe some parts are interchangeable?
Wow. I hope I don’t get downvoted for this but where does one learn how to do things like this? I wouldn’t know where to begin and I’ve been a barista for years
I used one of those for 16 years! And it still works!
Biggest improvement is to de pressurize the portafilter, or better yet replace it though they have been hard to come by in recent years.
Additionally replacing the shower screen with the one from the isomac giadia was a big improvement too:
https://espressocare.com/products/isomac-giada-showerscreen-2011?_pos=6&_sid=51976ae8d&_ss=r
I went a little crazy with mine and added a PID and an adjustable OPV and pressure gauge. That was all fun and made that silly little machine so much better than it had any right to be. That said I got great results with it for years and only had to do any kind of maintenance once. Great memories, thanks for sharing!