mp wrote:Now regarding the food grade grease ... how important is it to have instead of the Olive oil over the drain valve assembly? I would like to go as long as I could before having to open it up again ... but on the other hand I don't want any negative repercussions on the machine and espresso.
The olive oil you used will be washed away during the first backflush and coffee oils will lubricate the valves thereafter. A repair shop would use Dow 11 to assure smooth operation, especially around the lever. If the operation isn't smooth, a couple dabs of lubricant is enough. Stefano's Espresso Care sells Dow 11 in small quantities that would last a long time.
