So sad--I burned out my La Peppina heating element

[sweetben]

I was so excited when I found this machine, it is such a work of art. I proudly took it to a friend's house to share my joy, stepped into another room to visit for a second, and returned to a dry kettle and a burned out 1100 watt heating element.


I sent the element to heating element repair shop Southwest Specialties (http://www.southeastspecialties.net/) but was told they were unable to replicate/replace the element and was advised to contact the original equipment manufacturer (Fe-Ar? are they around?)

Home Espresso Repair (H.E.R) of Seattle said they didn't repair Peppinas.

On the instruction manual I found online, it says to send broken machines to A.B.C., Inc. out of Sun Valley, CA, but that place is long gone, of course, as the machine is at least 25 years old.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am so sad and filled with regret.

Ben

[another_jim]

Basically, with these your best bet is to buy a backup machine for parts. Keep a lookout for incomplete machines, (no pf etc), since these sell for considerably less.

[Bubble_Boy]

Basically, with these your best bet is to buy a backup machine for parts. Keep a lookout for incomplete machines, (no pf etc), since these sell for considerably less.

Ben

I used to have an old motorcycle where the electrical coil used for sparking the spark plugs blew out. A new one was too expensive, so I tested out some 'similar' used ones and one of them worked.

Is it possible to match up this old heating element to a heating element that is "similar" and is currenty produced in large quantities ( like the heating elements currently placed inside various lever machines ?)

I would at least try. You never know, you might get lucky.

Good Luck,
Craig

[sweetben]

After weeks of an interrupted morning coffee routine, things were falling apart. I was getting up later and later, papers were piling up, errands going undone. Who knew coffee was the thread holding my life together?

Many many thanks to Dr. Jim who was so kind to offer his La Peppina to help get my life back in order. I married the two machines and now have a complete and working machine. I've been so excited I've invited friends over just to make coffee for them and celebrate the closure of this saga. I know, it's silly, but it was a big deal to me. I even bought some decaf just because I've wanted to make coffee ALL DAY LONG since the repair.

Some good things have come from this experience--my new interest in coffee and my discovery of this site. I've enjoyed reading as you share your enthusiasm and expertise.

Again, many thanks to Jim, a kind man and entertaining writer. The apartment is clean, papers organized, and I actually got up before noon today--7:30, in fact.

Ben

(I am still searching for a replacement heating element, it would be awesome to get both machines working.)

[another_jim]

For the record, Dr. Jim is yet another one, not me; Peppina parts is one of the areas where I'm very greedy.

[matt]

For the record, Dr. Jim is yet another one, not me; Peppina parts is one of the areas where I'm very greedy.

And here I was curious -- "after that glowing review he wrote", I thought, "he's willing to give up his Peppina for science?"
It all makes sense now.

Ben -- I do happen to have a parts machine, although it is 700w. PM me if you're still in need.