Why can't Anita steam as well as her sister machines? - Page 2

[HB]

Like I said, it's letting more steam out than the stock tip, it just doesn't seem to be doing as well as it should.

Thanks for posting the video. The steam pressure looks rather feeble to me. Please remove the steam arm and check if it's clogged.

[Beezer]

new-steam-tip-for-quickmill-anita-t5429.html



Here's that video. Big difference between this video and yours.

[chris]

You definitely have something wrong. If your boiler pressure is 1.3 bar, my guess is you have a blockage. If you have descaled your boiler you my have clogged either the steam valve itself or you have a clogged tip. As the other gentleman in this thread said take the tip off and open the valve. If the steam blasts out then you need to look at the tip. If not then I suspect the valve.

[quar]

OK,

I can go one better than without a tip...how about without a wand!



Here's without a tip for comparisons sake:



There did seem to be quite a bit of steam with the wand removed. After removing it, I was able to run a large diameter pipe cleaner all of the way through it. Didn't feel or see any obvious obstructions. After reinstalling the wand and taking the second video, she still seemed to be putting out quite a bit of steam. Anybody agree?

I'm starting to suspect the tip.

Also, bonus points to anyone who can tell me how to reinstall my wand so it's not limp. Can't seem to get it tight enough.

Mike

[HB]

After removing it, I was able to run a large diameter pipe cleaner all of the way through it. Didn't feel or see any obvious obstructions.

Not to be obtuse, but did you try blowing through it?

[quar]

Sorry, forgot to mention that...Yes, didn't feel any obvious resistance. Also ran a stream of water through it. The exit flow rate seemed to be equivalent to the stream coming in.

I'm not sure what to make of the videos. There was obviously plenty of steam power with the wand removed. Seemed pretty good with the wand on as well. However, my experience is limited, as my Anita is the only machine in this class that I've owned or played with.

Mike

[HB]

I would double-check the steam tip. I haven't let the steam out without the wand in place, but the exiting steam in your video looks reasonable. The next step is Chris' suggestion - the steam valve.

[quar]

Hm...The tip appears to be fine. There aren't any obvious obstructions. Wonder if the holes would be too small or too big?

I'm tempted to bust out my pin vise and go to work, but I don't want to mess it up worse.

I've been hoping Sebastian from Great Infusions would turn up in this thread...

Mike

[chris]

When you opened that valve with the steam arm off it should have blasted out the steam and your boiler pressure should have dropped to zero in a few seconds. If not IT'S YOUR VALVE. Here is a link that will show you what your valve looks like. The http://www.chriscoffee.com/faq#18 yours is the one on the right.

[quar]

I'll start disassembling the steam valve today. Does anyone know if there is anything I need to know so I don't break it?

[quar]

OK, It's out of the machine. I can't get the nut holding the stem off, to check inside of it, but it seems like I'm having to blow really hard to move any air through it. I don't suppose that opening the valve as far as it'll go and chucking it in descaler is an acceptable fix? If not, I'm going to have to track down a vise so I can clamp the valve body in place and try to break the nut holding the stem in place free.


As an aside, I managed to fix my droopy wand...Found the spring that holds it in place sitting on the drip tray.

I love springs.

Mike

[quar]

So I got lazy and decided that if I couldn't get that nut off, perhaps I wasn't intended to. Fixed up a nice hot bath of citric acid and let it soak. After an hour or so, I started flushing it in and out. I've gotten a few black grains of scale, but most interestingly, I'm now seeing a 1/16th inch square sliver of copper in the bowl. No wonder I've felt that my Anita is a little anemic when it comes to steaming.

The valve feels like it's got better flow through it, I guess the proof will be once I hook it back up. Going to let it soak for a bit and see if I can get any more scale out of it.

Mike

[quar]

I've managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. After reassembling everything, I fired her up and had amazing steam output. Better than she's ever had. However, after running a few tests, I noticed the steam wand had developed a slow leak. My steam pressure had also decreased a bit again. There's obviously something messed up inside the valve. Should I even waste my time trying to disassemble the valve? According to Chris Coffee, these are not reparable. Does anybody know a source where I can get one that I can service in the future? Unfortunately, the new assembly for the Anita does not fit my older machine, so that's out.

Mike

[quar]

OK, to continue talking to myself...I took it apart again and cracked open the valve with a handy pair of vice grips. Turns out those little squares of copper I was seeing were chipping off of the valve seat. Looks like I'm out of service while I order a new valve. Before I pull the trigger this weekend, does anybody know of any alternatives that might be out there, that might be more robust?

Mike

[HB]

Before I pull the trigger this weekend, does anybody know of any alternatives that might be out there, that might be more robust?

Chris posted a good answer in his FAQ under Andreja Premium: What makes their valves superior to most? You can see the difference below (images courtesy Chris' Coffee Service):


Compression type valves with non-reparable seat


Non-compression type valves that closes under spring pressure

The closure on the top valve wears more quickly because owners torque the knob and groove the nylon seat. The plunger (K) shown in the bottom photo is only pushed closed by the tension of spring (H), limiting the compression of seal (L). As you can see from the photo, the seal (L) is easily replaceable.

You could certainly replace your steam arm valve with the non-compression types. It would be a lot cheaper, however, to replace the stem of your current valve and go easy on the knob.

[quar]

I'd called earlier today to see if the Andreja's non-compression wand would fit. Service told me that it wouldn't due to too many internal changes. Is it actually possible to order only the stem for the compression style wand. Looked around the web and couldn't find one...Darnit, just placed an order for a whole new assembly. I'll have to see if I can cancel the order and try to track down the stem again.

Mike

[quar]

Well, thanks to Stefano's Espresso Care, I was able to source a replacement valve shaft. Put everything back together and here's the result.



Much better...

I can get 8 oz to over 160 deg F in around 45s with the p-stat back at the stock 1.2 BAR setting now. Still not as fast as Anita's sister machines, but I'm willing to chalk that up to the tip and the fact that I have an entirely different valve and wand than her siblings. I'm still tempted to widen the holes in this tip, but I'm not sure that it would really get me anything. Still can't make microfoam with this tip, but I may have to chalk that up to being unfamiliar with it.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Mike

[Beezer]

Glad to hear you got your problem sorted out. Is this the part that you ended up getting from Stephano?

http://espressocare.com/Qstore/Qs...Shaft++Steam+Valve

My steam wand is leaking a bit, so I probably need to replace the same part. I asked Chris about it, but they just sell the entire steam valve assembly for over $40. Seems cheaper and easier to replace just the shaft instead of the whole assembly.

[quar]

Yes, assuming that you have an Anita with the older style valve, that's the one. Get that and some Dow 111, if you don't have any. Unlike other repairs I've made, this one was a pretty simple repair...No springs to shoot across the room. (in the valve at least)

Mike

[Beezer]

I have the newer Anita with the ball pivot steam wand. Maybe it won't work, though it looks like it should. Hmmm. I sent an e-mail to Stefano, but he doesn't deal with Quickmill machines so he wasn't sure. I guess I might have to take the valve apart and see if I can compare it to the pictures above.