Quick question - i'm sorting out my pasquini livietta. i notice OE offers a pressure gauge that'll monitor the boiler pressure. could someone tell me how that'll help improve my espresso experience. can i then alter the temp/pressure of the boiler so that the espresso itself is then improved? i'm under the impression that the pressure of the brew water is controlled by the pump and isn't adjustable. so i can't really see a reason to fit one other than to monitor the steam pressure.

JD. wrote:so i can't really see a reason to fit one other than to monitor the steam pressure.

Agreed. Once a pressurestat is properly adjusted (e.g., 1.0 bar at the top of the heating cycle), an onboard steam boiler gauge doesn't do much other than offer assurance that the pressurestat continues to operate correctly. Some owners mount one temporarily to the steam arm fitting to adjust the pressurestat:


From Restoration of an Olympia Cremina

On a Livietta/Maximatic, I believe that measuring the boiler pressure is less important than it would be on a Cremina, mostly because temperature regulation is indirectly related to pressurestat setting. The Livietta is a HX; temperature management is achieved through flush volume. The major influence of the pressurestat is on steaming power(i.e. higher pstat setting = better steam power but requires longer flushes to hit target temps. lower pstat = weaker steam, shorter flush). In contrast, the temperature regulation on the Cremina is directly related to pressurestat setting (i.e. higher pstat = hotter boiler and shots, unless you start wrapping the grouphead in cold towels or some other workaround).

In the event that you don't want to remove the outer shell, you can always attach the gauge to the steam wand assembly (in place of the wand):

thanks for your responses.

As stated, for an hx machine, a gauge is not important. Although, I do think it is a valuable tool for the tool box. I bought the one that slips onto the steam wand and made dialing in the recommended pstat setting a breeze, but now it is removed and put away but may come in handy down the road for diagnosis or experimentation. One other thing not mentioned is that the setting also affects the brew temperature rebound. in other words, how quickly the temperature jumps back up after flushing and how much of a "hump" in temperature profile occurs during extraction. The gauge allowed me to take someone's recommendation (0.9-1.1) and accurately set it without hours of trial and error and wasted shots trying to taste, discern differences, and make appropriate adjustments.

thanks. is that the generally recommended pressure range then for this device, 0.9-1.1? if so then i can ask the person servicing the machine to set it at that for now.

That is what danmc recommended to me. I think the current maximatic runs all the way up to 1.3 and I tried this first and was having trouble getting shots that weren't burnt. The 0.9-1.1 setting has been much more manageable. If you are going to have someone set it for you, I think this is a good starting point. Later if you want, you could probably just mark the setting on the wheel and tweak it if need be. I have only been using this machine for a month or so and with this setting and a 2.5-3oz flush and go, I'm getting pleasing results and steam power is good.

The more gauges the better, right?

cool machine.

ok thanks for the advice, machine duly set to 0.9-1.1

it should be delivered back to me on tuesday and i'll be working at home on wednesday so i'll have plenty of time to use it.

cheers

jd