Rancilio Epoca S1 Help! Metallic Taste
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 9 years ago
Hi,
I recently purchased a used Rancilio Epoca S1 (single group, plumbed). I have two questions:
First, I don't think the previous owner regularly descaled his machine. The espresso is giving off a strange bitter/sour (maybe metallic?) taste, even with fresh beans, and 20-25 second extractions. I'm hoping the problem is simply scale build up.
How can I safely descale the boiler on a plumbed machine? And how much solution is needed for its 4L boiler?
-I purchased Durgol decalcifier, mixed it with some water in a bucket, and stuck the supply hose in, letting the machine suck it up, and let it sit for about an hour (which improved the taste slightly). I don't think I got everything out, but the solution came out of the machine slightly murky so it helped.
Second Question:
The used machine looks like somebody jerry-rigged a part on the inside steam-wand valve. Please take a look at this image and tell me if this is supposed to be there, and if i should purchase the original piece (which I can't seem to find online.)
Thank you!
James Reina
I recently purchased a used Rancilio Epoca S1 (single group, plumbed). I have two questions:
First, I don't think the previous owner regularly descaled his machine. The espresso is giving off a strange bitter/sour (maybe metallic?) taste, even with fresh beans, and 20-25 second extractions. I'm hoping the problem is simply scale build up.
How can I safely descale the boiler on a plumbed machine? And how much solution is needed for its 4L boiler?
-I purchased Durgol decalcifier, mixed it with some water in a bucket, and stuck the supply hose in, letting the machine suck it up, and let it sit for about an hour (which improved the taste slightly). I don't think I got everything out, but the solution came out of the machine slightly murky so it helped.
Second Question:
The used machine looks like somebody jerry-rigged a part on the inside steam-wand valve. Please take a look at this image and tell me if this is supposed to be there, and if i should purchase the original piece (which I can't seem to find online.)
Thank you!
James Reina
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- Posts: 1293
- Joined: 10 years ago
Do you have a grinder? Sounds like under extraction or a dirty portafilter to me
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 9 years ago
yup picked up a used mazzer major. works great. soaked the portafilter in cafiza over night to clean it, and have experimented with a range of grind coarseness.
Is it possible for scale buildup to affect the taste? The same beans taste great out of my other machines
Is it possible for scale buildup to affect the taste? The same beans taste great out of my other machines
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- Posts: 268
- Joined: 12 years ago
Hi
What is the boiler pressure set at? If it is set very high, then the machine will be running hot and that could explain the bitter taste.
The only benefit of a higher boiler pressure setting, is terrific steaming ability from a smallish boiler.
What is the boiler pressure set at? If it is set very high, then the machine will be running hot and that could explain the bitter taste.
The only benefit of a higher boiler pressure setting, is terrific steaming ability from a smallish boiler.
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 9 years ago
the gauge reads between 10-12
I've heard varying answers for where it should be, seems to depend on the machine?
Shall I try adjusting it, if so how?
I've heard varying answers for where it should be, seems to depend on the machine?
Shall I try adjusting it, if so how?
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- Posts: 1293
- Joined: 10 years ago
Probably the wrong gauge if it's that high.. That's for brew water unless you mean 1.0 to 1.2.
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 9 years ago
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- Posts: 268
- Joined: 12 years ago
Ok
0.7 - 0.8 is a bit low, which would explain the sour taste. The machine is running a bit on the cool side.
The bitter could be from channeling. This happens a lot when the shower screen gets all gunked up and crusty. The crust forces the water through a couple of pin holes resulting in the coffee pour to blonde early and will taste bitter.
0.7 - 0.8 is a bit low, which would explain the sour taste. The machine is running a bit on the cool side.
The bitter could be from channeling. This happens a lot when the shower screen gets all gunked up and crusty. The crust forces the water through a couple of pin holes resulting in the coffee pour to blonde early and will taste bitter.
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 9 years ago
Thank you! Can anybody guide me in the right direction to raise the pressure on the Epoca? How much higher should it be? (perhaps the pressure is lower due to this foreign release valve on my steam wand? - see above photo)gor wrote:Ok
0.7 - 0.8 is a bit low, which would explain the sour taste. The machine is running a bit on the cool side.
The bitter could be from channeling. This happens a lot when the shower screen gets all gunked up and crusty. The crust forces the water through a couple of pin holes resulting in the coffee pour to blonde early and will taste bitter.
I'm sure the shower screen isn't gunked up, as I soaked that in cafiza over night as well.