Isomac Zaffiro brew pressure too high

[CraigW]

Hello, new poster here.
Sorry if i am asking a question already asked. i have searched the forums and FAQ's but can find nothing fitting.

My Zaffiro is 2 months old, from day 1 the manometer on the front panel has gone to 12 bar when pulling a shot, is this okay? ( the espresso tastes fine - i think)

How easy is it to adjust, i am fairly handy with tools and a electrician.

Anyone have a idea?

Thanks for reading

Cheers Craig

[HB]

i have searched the forums and FAQ's but can find nothing fitting.

See the section "Vibratory pumps" in the FAQs and Favorites Digest, specifically How can I adjust the brew pressure of a vibe pump espresso machine? Below is a photo of your Zaffiro's over-pressure valve. I recommend adjusting it to 9 bar against a blind filter (turning the barb fitting counter-clockwise = more water escapes = lower brew pressure). It's a small adjustment; check the brew pressure after each 1/8th turn.


Photo of an Isomac Zaffiro's OPV

[cannonfodder]

If you can, disconnect the silicone tube before you make the adjustment, then pull it loose. Those tubes will twist but hold a lot of energy. Over time, the tube will twist back to neutral and turn the OPV with it.

[milehi]

Hi Craig,

I am a relatively new owner of an Isomac Venus, and also would safely qualify myself as a newbie—so please take this post with a huge grain o salt, but, I've been having similar questions about my brew pressure—Venus brewing around 11.5 but at an avg of a 25 second shot and producing some good results—not bitter, not sour, chocolatey and smooth with the beans I've been using and ample crema. --but i have to grind fine and tamp hard

Now, when I read the 9 bar suggestion, I thought, hmm, I should be modding, but a couple of posts in my research held me in check, these talk to 2 points:

1. new owners, get control of dosing, distributing, grinding, and well, get used to your machine first (I need practice in all of the above)-- Still getting used to the machine, but I love it so far!!!

2. Isomacs seem to run high on brew pressure.

You have the e-61 and it may very well operate differently. Also, in these discussions, some users did try the mod and reported good results. Hopefully this link may help offer some research help in your quest. Moderator Disclaimer—there is another coffee site that also has discussion on this topic and you can do a search-as a newer poster I am to avoid reference and cross posting for my first few posts. This one is from HB though

http://www.home-barista.com/forums/optimizing-isomac-venus-t4850.html

best of luck and hope you are enjoying your isomac!

p.s.
looks like some great HB folks have already posted help here as well, so maybe the mod will work out great!

[HB]

You have the e-61 and it may very well operate differently.

Not really, other than the slower pressure ramp up. The thread I still don't get it: Why adjust the OPV? goes into further detail.

...there is another coffee site that also has discussion on this topic and you can do a search-as a newer poster I am to avoid reference and cross posting for my first few posts.

I appreciate your consideration. Feel free to share link-worthy references from other sites.

[CraigW]

Thanks for the links, pictures and advice. I will take sometime and then probably attempt adjustment as 1 has to have a play with these things

Regards Craig

[CraigW]

Hi again i have made the adjustment down to 9+ a little bar, the barrel with the barbs for the silicone hosing was actually easy to turn so i might have to watch that.

I took the silicone hose off too make sure there would be no torque in it to twist it back clockwise again.

I needed almost i whole revolution to get the pressure down to the desired level, i imagine these OPV's have quite a variance in manufacturing so am not to stressed about that.

I have marked my initial start and finish points so corrections in the future should be a P.o.p.

Very impressed with the layout inside.

Thanks for the help

Craig

[CraigW]

Update: some 4 or 5 espresso later - they are tasting very good

Thank you for your help.

Regards Craig

[quoad]

VERY useful thread!

I'm off to find a pair of pliers!

edited to add: good lord. Phenomenal

[valve]

I am a relatively new owner of an Isomac Venus, and also would safely qualify myself as a newbie—so please take this post with a huge grain o salt, but, I've been having similar questions about my brew pressure—Venus brewing around 11.5 but at an avg of a 25 second shot and producing some good results—not bitter, not sour, chocolatey and smooth with the beans I've been using and ample crema. --but i have to grind fine and tamp hard

Somewhat related to this, being a new Venus owner myself: the pressure of the Venus (and all machines similar, I figure) can be adjusted by opening the steam valve ever so slightly during a shot. Now my question is: apart from this not being the best way to juggle the pressure, is there any potential for damage using this method?

Regards.

[stefano65]

A lot of manufactures rather then take the time to set the opv they will keep it completely shut
their excuse when you bring it up?
a lot of people in Italy will buy pre-grounded coffee which in most cases is grind too fine
so rather then bother with complaining call etc etc they do that instead ( pretty lame eh?)

[HB]

Now my question is: apart from this not being the best way to juggle the pressure, is there any potential for damage using this method?

Other than the possibility that you burn yourself from the water coming out of the steam wand, I don't see any risk; your method is no more than a "manual" over-pressure valve.