Search found 31 matches

by Ben_VC
January 21st, 2014, 10:23 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 20
Views: 7962

Going a bit crazy, 6 years after starting my espresso journey

From someone who has struggled a few times: - Are the beans fairly fresh? (known roast date within the last month, preferably 7-14 days, and stored well) - Try grinding finer - it sounds like your shot is running fast and most of my spurters have resolved with a finer grind - IMO your distribution l...
by Ben_VC
August 4th, 2013, 8:24 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

It sure sounds like it. Have you retried the initial boiler fill procedure since? If that doesn't work, my limited knowledge is exhausted! Cheers Ben
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by Ben_VC
August 4th, 2013, 2:56 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

I would start at the reservoir. Take it the filter/softener if it is still there (should have said this last night!). Over the sink, use something small to depress the valve and check water flows out. Try again with boiler fill procedure. If still no joy, at least you can be fairly sure the pump is
by Ben_VC
August 3rd, 2013, 11:48 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

You can probably use the baster to push water into the valve that the reservoir hooks up to. If you are comfortable working on your machine, you can take the covers off and work your way through the plumbing - is water getting to the pump? Is it flowing from the pump? etc until you find the blockage
by Ben_VC
August 3rd, 2013, 9:46 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

Link to manual: {link} Cheers Ben
by Ben_VC
August 3rd, 2013, 9:45 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

From the manual for the Mini Vivaldi II: - fill reservoir - plug machine in - press on/off and hot water buttons simultaneously. Pump will run, empty and on/standby lights will flash. - once you see water come out of the group, release both buttons. If water doesn't come out after a reasonable lengt...
by Ben_VC
August 3rd, 2013, 8:58 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 16
Views: 2570

La Spaziale S1 Mini out of storage, no longer works... help!

My first recommendation is go to s1cafe.com forum if you haven't already. There's a lot of knowledge there and an appreciation of the desperation in a case like this! My first thought is that the pump is not primed - it needs some water in it to get things going. Did you do the initial boiler fill
by Ben_VC
July 26th, 2013, 5:22 pm
Forum: Grinders
Replies: 6
Views: 1226

Pharos ground coffee removal

I have been using my stock Pharos for a few weeks now. I am grinding with no plug onto a flexible cutting board then pouring into my basket. I am really liking the grinder, no real retention issues so far. I am WDT-ing before tamping and I think it gives me a more even pour (versus nutating
by Ben_VC
July 24th, 2013, 12:19 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 2
Views: 847

Interesting Place to See a Faema (Interstate 45, Texas)

On a similar note, I stopped in Newhalem at the visitor centre in the North Cascades National Park (WA) and they had a massive Nuova Simolelli Aurelia installed. They drove it pretty well too, a much needed respite from the interior BC "espresso" I had been getting the previous few days. Cheers Ben
by Ben_VC
June 28th, 2013, 2:10 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 10
Views: 1184

Hotel recommendation near good cafes - Seattle and Portland

Thanks for all the suggestions. We ended up staying in Hotel Five in Seattle - I made it to a few cafes there including Vivace - annd the Holiday Express Dowtown in Portland int he Nob Hill area. We stayed a few days with two cars so the free parking was a drawcard. It turned out to be