Argh! Switched on La Peppina without water. Did I kill her?

[joe torre]

Hi. This is my first post here.

So...
I was on the phone with a client and distractedly switched on my Peppina, then went to the other room still on the phone... came back to find my Peppina really hot but with no water in the tank. Aaarghhh! (This Aaarghhh is an understatement). Now when I turn it on it does warm the water up but barely.

I have had this machine for about three years now and have dreaded this moment of distraction on my part since I realised that the shots that I could pull from this little machine were often better than the ones from my Silvia...

It is a Peppina 1100W, 110V if this makes any difference.

My obvious questions are what can I do now? Please don't tell me she's dead. Is there a fuse in the machine, that I can replace or reset? What would cause the machine to heat the water but just barely and far from boiling point no matter how long I keep it plugged in... Or is there a source for parts (haven't looked for this on the internet in a long time and way back I couldn't find anything of the sort) and, if so, what parts am I likely to have to replace.

Any help much appreciated.
Thanks!

[civ]

Hello:

I'm sorry about your mishap.
Been there, done that, etc.

But apparently these things happen, I've seen at least one case:

http://www.home-barista.com/forum...-element-t728.html

... came back to find my Peppina really hot but with no water in the tank.
Now when I turn it on it does warm the water up but barely.

I have never seen or taken one of these apart and I'm sure that there is more than one forum member who has and can give you some good advice. That said, it could be that if the water *does* heat up some, it could be that the heating coil isn't shot and the problem is elsewhere.

I think it does not have a thermostat.

In any case, check out these guys I've seen mentioned at another forum:

-------

Deluxe Coffee & Pasta
9071 San Fernando Road, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - 1412
818-768-7657
Sergio and his brother Hugo are the technicians.

-------

The usual caveats apply, I don't know or ever purchased anything from them, but it may be worth a call.

See this page for a Peppina manual in *jpg format:
http://www.dmreed.com/coffee_equipment_manuals.htm

And this one for a parts diagram:
http://www.home-barista.com/forum...achille-t2529.html

Good luck.

CIV

[timo888]

Maybe the Peppina is OK. The original plug has a patented espulsore automatico -- the plug is automatically ejected from the housing if the machine gets too hot. But from the lukewarm water, perhaps it got too hot. Did you have the original plug?

Regards
Timo

[joe torre]

Thank you, yes it's fantastic that this forum exists, when I acquired my Peppina the only info I could find was one review and this page on http://www.dmreed.com with the diagram

I can't believe that I blew my machine, and to add insult to injury a couple of weeks ago the lady of the house decided to throw away the spare parts including heating group I had been saving for years and were taking too much space in the closet (double aaaaarghhhh!)

My options:
- my heating group is not shot, since it seems to be heating "a little bit", and will somehow come back from the dead (?)
- it is shot I can find a new one or a new machine
- someone has some spare parts
- deluxe coffee & pasta does

I'd rather not be in bidding wars on eBay against you guys over a 110V machine if one ever comes up... or starting to deal with overpriced shipping costs from Europe plus a 110V to 220V transformer. Oh boy. What have I done.

[joe torre]

Maybe the Peppina is OK. The original plug has a patented espulsore automatico -- the plug is automatically ejected from the housing if the machine gets too hot.

Regards
Timo

If this patented system worked as designed (but my plug is an aftermarket "waffle iron" plug...) then what do I need to do to restore the machine to working condition? Just make sure to push the plug all the way in?

[HB]

my heating group is not shot, since it seems to be heating "a little bit", and will somehow come back from the dead (?)

I'll defer the final diagnosis to a La Peppina owner, but I fear lukewarm water means the heating element is blown. Measuring the resistance with a multimeter will confirm (perhaps needless to say, remember to unplug it!).

[espressme]

If this patented system worked as designed (but my plug is an aftermarket "waffle iron" plug...) then what do I need to do to restore the machine to working condition? Just make sure to push the plug all the way in?

Just for a drill!
I found one of the Peppinas I refurbished didn't heat well. I then pushed and pulled the electrical connector back and forth a few times to clean the contacts and then pushed it all the way home and, Voila,' Heat. I think that the spring mechanism latch of the machine will be reset by that action.
FWW I've had very good luck and so have some others with Deluxe Coffee & Pasta
My 1¢
richard

[joe torre]

Thanks but no luck. It may have been wishful thinking that the machine did still heat water a little bit, although I don't think so, either way it is not anymore now. I checked the plug and nothing seems wrong.

I emailed Deluxe Coffee & Pasta. If they had the heating element and an original plug that would be incredible, indeed.

Otherwise I'll be on the market for a whole machine I suppose. I'm going out now have a few beers at the pub rather than lamenting any more on this loss. O Why do we love our little Peppinas so much?

On the other hand it's true that the consequences could have been much worse. I hope I learned something.

[mogogear]

Maybe Espressme can shoot you the link to the guy who bought up all the remaining La Pep parts in the USA- --Richard - did he have elements?

[timo888]

You can always heat water in a tea kettle and transfer it to the Peppina.

Regards
Timo

P.S. In fact, the machine is probably best used in this way... unplugged.

[joe torre]

You can always heat water in a tea kettle and transfer it to the Peppina.

Regards
Timo

P.S. In fact, the machine is probably best used in this way... unplugged.

... and wireless.
It's a good idea for now. In the meantime I revived my Silvia that I had neglected for way too long. I still be looking for a heat group though (and set of gaskets) if any ever becomes available. Thanks for the help!

[mogogear]

You also might PM :Lino- he might have a spare parts machine around.....

[espressme]

Hi Joe,
It may be to your best interest to call them directly! And, please remember that those parts are in warehouse and take a while ( days and needs of in house customers )to get to! At the last talk I had with them they had all parts but the Group unit! Please also order all parts you think you may need at the same time. They do have a gasket set also. Baskets and PFs too!
Good Luck
Richard
PS, You may consider sending the Group unit to them or Greg for overhaul as I don't think any of us has pulled the heater element. Also some stuck / broken screws are part of the process.

Thanks but no luck. It may have been wishful thinking that the machine did still heat water a little bit, although I don't think so, either way it is not anymore now. I checked the plug and nothing seems wrong.

I emailed Deluxe Coffee & Pasta. If they had the heating element and an original plug that would be incredible, indeed.

Otherwise I'll be on the market for a whole machine I suppose. I'm going out now have a few beers at the pub rather than lamenting any more on this loss. O Why do we love our little Peppinas so much?

On the other hand it's true that the consequences could have been much worse. I hope I learned something.