Using a gasket spacer to make E61 life easy

[Marshall]

A current thread about a baked-in brewhead gasket reminded me of something. Several years ago on one of my visits to Espresso Part Source, Michael Teahan suggested I insert a cardboard (I think) spacer above the gasket on my Zaffiro and gave me one to try out. It's been there ever since. The gasket is now about three years old and shows no sign of stiffening. Another benefit is that the gasket pulls out easily with my fingertips when I want to clean the shower screen and the bottom of the brewhead.

Actually, I can't think of any negatives at all. Just a tip.

[roadman]

Thanks Marshall, that sounds like a great tip!

Does anyone know where to source this type of insert in Europe? Does anyone know what the insert made from?

Jon

[Marshall]

The magic material is ... paper! Currently listed on their site as a "gasket spacer" for $1.10 (might be wholesale price).

http://www.puly-usa.com/commerce/index.php?cPath=925_928

[roadman]

Groovy, though it looks like I'll need to cut my own cuz they don't list one for tiny lever type groups.

Thanks again Marshall.

Jon

[cafeIKE]

The material is probably a waterproof gasket material, not 'just paper'

[sweaner]

I see they also list a rubber one. I wonder if that would do the same thing.

Wouldn't these make tightening the portafilter more difficult, therefore requiring a smaller gasket?

[shadowfax]

I would worry that a rubber spacer would just dry out and harden like the rubber gasket itself, and probably be even more trouble to get out on account of how thin it is...

[Marshall]

The material is probably a waterproof gasket material, not 'just paper'

No.

[cafeIKE]

Well, if you look at the image on their web site, it's got Flexo printed on it and Flexo was a gasket material maker.

Plain paper can disintegrate when wet and probably will not stand up to repeated removals.

Any DYIers would be well advised to check the wet strength viability of their chosen material before subjecting it to high temperature and pressure.

[cannonfodder]

The ones I have gotten felt like a heavy stock paper with a little slick on it, almost like a wax cardboard.

[JonR10]

I used to use a plain paper gasket (actually it was cut from a 3x5 index card) but it got stained and started to degrade. Then, about a year ago I found a paper-thin cutting board made from (teflon?), and I cut out a ring traced from the group gasket and then trimmed it to fit and snipped one side so it has a split (for easy installation).

Works like a charm, and has been in place for over a year now, through a few gasket changes.

[Elbasso]

Errrr?! Rubber doesn't stick to metal in my dimension of this world. The gasket also doesn't get wet or dirty on the top so what's the use of an extra spacer?

EDIT: There is actually a question hidden in my somewhat ill-formulated remark . What I mean to ask is: with a tightly locked in PF, the top of the gasket will not get dirty, will it? Or is the temperature alone enough to bake the gasket on in the long run?

Cheers,

Bas

P.S. Great opportunity to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. (Sally Koch)

[Marshall]

Errrr?! Rubber doesn't stick to metal in my dimension of this world. The gasket also doesn't get wet or dirty on the top so what's the use of an extra spacer?

The World Barista Championship will be in Copenhagen next month. If you can get an inter-dimensional passport to their dimension of this world, ask some of the competitors about baked-on gaskets.

[Elbasso]

Will it require a continuum transponder or can I just use a towel to get in?

I didn't mean to ridicule anybody with my remark about the gasket . It is a very useful tip for anybody that experiences this problem. It's just that I've never experienced any caking on. Not with my Silvia nor with my Andreja. I've also not spotted any form of dirt on the top of the gaskets. Seems to me that a firmly locked in PF doesn't let any bad stuff get around the gasket. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers,

elbasso

[Psyd]

Seems to me that a firmly locked in PF doesn't let any bad stuff get around the gasket. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Nope, but what part of the world do you come from that guarantees a firmly locked in PF every single time without fail? Not my neighborhood, I assure you! ; >

[Spironski]

How about the famous "Portafilter wiggle"? That would wet the spacer, would it?

I am curious about how much the spacer is actually doing what it is designed for: filling up space ==> will the portafilter still fit?