Quickmill Andreja Pro boiler pressure and temperature problem

[haak]

Hello. I have a used Andreja Pro (not the Premium).
I am reading on various forums that the boiler pressure setting should be around 1.1-1.2 Bar for a shower screen water temperature (temperature of water measured as it exits the grouphead) of around F203. Using that boiler pressure setting gives me a shower screen temperature of only around F140. I have increased the boiler pressure to 2.2 Bar which gives me shower screen temperature of F190. I am afraid to set the boiler pressure any higher in the attempt to reach F203 as even the 2.2 is already 1 Bar higher then the aforementioned 1.2 Bar. For measuring the water temperature I use a milk frothing thermostat (I tested it and it is accurate). The water is collected into a ceramic cup which I preheat and than take several readings. Could the pressure gauge be shot? What do you think?

Thanks, Dusan.

[HB]

Measuring brew water temperature using the "Styrofoam cup" method is not bad for consistency checks shot-to-shot, but only vaguely gauges the actual brew temperature. Measuring into a ceramic cup is far less accurate, even if the cup is boiling hot.

A boiler setting of 1.2 bar should easily produce "flash boiling" during the cooling flush. A boiler setting of 2.2 bar should have already popped the safety release (if the gauge is accurate and it didn't, I would fear for my safety). Let's reset and start with some general recommendations: Return the boiler setting to 1.2 bar. Read How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love HXs and confirm that you are not overflushing and are allowing enough recovery time between tests (two minutes should be more than enough, but it wouldn't hurt to wait an extra minute so you could easily confirm the flash boiling). If after reading the article and watching for the "water dance" (video), repost with more details about what you're seeing and tasting in the espresso (bitter, black brew? too hot or overextracted; blond, sour? too cool or underextracted; see the Troubleshooting checklist of Perfecting the Naked Extraction and Jim Schulman's Home Barista's Guide to Espresso).

[haak]

Thanks for your reply. I believe that the machine could have popped the safety release. On the Premium model there is a switch on top of the boiler. Would you know where there is such a switch on the Andreja Pro model?

I had the high pressure setting (I know, I was an idiot) and the machine shut down. I thought that I fried the pressure stat, bought a new one (MA-TER) as they did not have the original, hooked it up according to a diagram on Chris' coffee website but the machine does not heat up the boiler. Red light comes on, but nothing. It does not seem to auto-fill either (maybe there is enough water in the boiler). The pump runs when I run the grouphead.
Do you have any ideas?

[HB]

On the Premium model there is a switch on top of the boiler. Would you know where there is such a switch on the Andreja Pro model?

Yes, it has a high-temperature limit switch; see Chris' Coffee FAQ #11 for picture / reset instructions.

[haak]

Unfortunately mine is the Andreja Pro, not the Premium, it looks like this: http://www.1st-line.com/machines/...ckmill/andreja.htm

This machine does not have the reset button on top of the boiler. I don't seem to be able to post the pic. I am at a loss, thanks for trying though...

[HB]

You're right, re-reading Chris' description of the Andreja Premium, he notes "The list above is basically the differences between the Andreja and the Andreja Premium" and it includes resettable hi-limit switch instead of a one-time thermal fuse. A continuity tester would confirm if the fuse is blown (perhaps needless to say, remember to unplug the machine before testing).

PS: See Posting images on HB for instructions.

[haak]

Ah, super. I found the thermal fuse, it is located on top of the boiler. It does not look damaged but I don't know what a damaged one looks like. I found an espresso shop that sells Marzocco machines and the guy said he might be able to help me. I will take it there tomorrow and hopefully it will be just a blown fuse, not the boiler element. I greatly appreciate your help.

[HB]

I found an espresso shop that sells Marzocco machines and the guy said he might be able to help me. I will take it there tomorrow and hopefully it will be just a blown fuse, not the boiler element.

Unless you let the boiler run dry, the heating element should be fine. Let us know the diagnosis so we can turn to the next chapter - making great espresso at home (remember? ).

[haak]

I finally got around to writing, the problem was the thermal fuse and the pressure stat. Visions espresso in Seattle fixed it and set the pressure to specs - 1.4 Bar. I commented on it and was told that it is the correct setting for the Andreja Pro. Anyway, the ristrettos are pouring again. Thanks for your help people.