My new Gaggia Achille - Page 2

[Alchemist]

Well, a few days later and there is no subsequent leak. I will add a small addendum to the User's guide. False pressure. You have to release it after you open the boiler and introduce air. Both times now (start up, and a few days ago) I went WTF with 150 F water (as opposed to 200+) coming out. Air just doesn't have the heat capacity of steam.

Mogo, have you had the chance to check out an Achille yet? Now might be the time (over the end of the holidays?) - I am just looking into distilling again and I would love to interrogate you

[Abdon]

Well, a few days later and there is no subsequent leak. I will add a small addendum to the User's guide. False pressure. You have to release it after you open the boiler and introduce air. Both times now (start up, and a few days ago) I went WTF with 150 F water (as opposed to 200+) coming out. Air just doesn't have the heat capacity of steam.

Not only then but if the machine has been on for a long time. I left my machine on overnight a few times. In the morning the boiler would be at working temperature but the water coming out would be cold. If you vent through the steam wand, you can feel cold air coming out. Once vented, everything would work fine again.

Also, nobody should have to suffer from a leaking machine. Getting to the offending gasket is extremely easy, so is resetting it and putting the machine back together. All it takes is an allen wrench, an 8mm wrench, and a screwdriver. My only problem is that i don't have any food grade silicon lube, which I think it would help to keep the blasted thing in place. If i get a digital camera I'll take pictures of the process.

More important, would somebody care to theorize the cause of the gasket shifting in the first place? It's relatively obvious that the primary reason is over pressurizing the machine. Would pulling water before the machine has a chance to warm up raise the likelihood for the gasket to shift? Would a dry gasket (lack of lube) be more prone to shift?

Speaking of lube, if anybody here has access to a store that sells the food grade stuff, i could really use help in buying some. My Japanese is barely good enough to ask that they don't add raw egg to my food I'll be happy to paypal anybody that could buy a tube for me.

[cannonfodder]

The Achille does have a vacuum breaker in the cap. Over time I have had the same thing happen several times. It is quite annoying but thankfully it heats to temperature in moments. I wonder if that leak in the cap was actually the vacuum breaker sputtering.

[sophiesbar]

Cannonfodder
This subject goes back a bit, but---

The Achille does have a vacuum breaker in the cap. Over time I have had the same thing happen several times. It is quite annoying but thankfully it heats to temperature in moments. I wonder if that leak in the cap was actually the vacuum breaker sputtering.

Did you dismantle the 'Safety cap assly' to make it function correctly, or did it come right?
Is it threaded left or right handed, or maybe 'Loctite'd on assembly. The rubber seal is not available as a spare.

I am finding the same thing is happening now. If the machine has been sitting overnight, a vacuum has formed in the boiler and on switching on the element makes a hell of a rumble until the steam valve is opened and bled.---Then it must be bled again after heating for a while, otherwise the boiler water does not reach the correct temperature even though the correct pressure has been acheived and switched off the element and the green indicator light.
I enquired with the N.Z. Gaggia agent, but they were less than helpful other than providing the cost of a new complete cap assly.
I presume you still use the Achille?
Thanks

[Alchemist]

Since I started this thread, I thought I would just add to it.

First, concerning the leaking boiler cap on mine, a new one by the seller (aabree) set it straight and I have had no other issues.

Next, I wanted to tell about my experience over the weekend. I volunteered (or was volunteered, I have never been sure ) to run a coffee and tea booth at a local small fund raising fair. So I brought along, in addition to the other basics for brewing coffee, my Achille and Trosser hand grinder. It went quite nice, although I have never had to deal with prevailing winds before. It was outside, and sometimes during a pull, the wind would come up and quite nearly blow the stream of espresso OUT of the cup. Nothing like wetting your finger before a pull to test wind direction, and setting your cup accordingly.

Anyway, aside from being a might sore today, I am happy to report it all went very well. About 70 shots of various flavors (meaning shots, hot and iced americanos) over about 5 hours. It is a blessing to be able to pull shot after shot with no concern for boiler filling or head over heating.

And where I would not want to do it full time, it was fun getting to know the repeat customers quickly. And the wow factor of seeing people drag others over to watch a 'real' pull was nice "you have GOT to come see this - it is SOOO cool". Oh, and I guess the other really major highlight was watching people get their drink, pay, turn away, take a sip, and hearing "ohhhh" in a very surprised manner, and looking back to smile. I don't think I could every get enough of that. I know what I would expect from a shot at a local fair, and exceeding expectations was really great.

[Trisha]

That is the joy of using a lever to introduce folks to great espresso!

When I take the Elektra down to the ambulance station, each time a few more in emergency services seem to "just happen by" to try a cup. Everybody knows the Ascaso Arc makes something far more enjoyable than the chain, but the lever in use brings interest.

That sip - and smile - makes it all worthwhile. . .

Thanks for the update! I have a few priorities on the dance card now, but I've been keeping an eye on the Achille in the hopes of seeing a few upgrades by Gaggia (that bend is worrisome).

[Alchemist]

That sip - and smile - makes it all worthwhile. . .

Thanks for the update! I have a few priorities on the dance card now, but I've been keeping an eye on the Achille in the hopes of seeing a few upgrades by Gaggia (that bend is worrisome).

There could be a slogan there

"The Lever - that sip, that smile - makes it all worthwhile"

I need to post a photo of how I pull. I have taken to placing a block under the PF handle. Makes for zero flex, no slip and allows for a more "delicate" (less straining) two hand pull.

[cannonfodder]

Cannonfodder
This subject goes back a bit, but---

Did you dismantle the 'Safety cap assly' to make it function correctly, or did it come right?
Is it threaded left or right handed, or maybe 'Loctite'd on assembly. The rubber seal is not available as a spare.

I am finding the same thing is happening now. If the machine has been sitting overnight, a vacuum has formed in the boiler and on switching on the element makes a hell of a rumble until the steam valve is opened and bled.---Then it must be bled again after heating for a while, otherwise the boiler water does not reach the correct temperature even though the correct pressure has been acheived and switched off the element and the green indicator light.
I enquired with the N.Z. Gaggia agent, but they were less than helpful other than providing the cost of a new complete cap assly.
I presume you still use the Achille?
Thanks

It fixed itself. On my other Gaggia lever (factory) I have had the same issue. I would just push the plunger with a pencil to work the spring in and out to unstick it.

I do still have the Achille but don't use it that often. I have an Elektra A3 as my mainline machine and a VBM Domobar Super at work, it is hard to beat either of those. I do pull out the levers now and then just to keep the lever mojo in tune.