I recently acquired an older model Europiccola which continuously releases steam from the bypass valve when the switch is in the second position (for milk steaming). Even while this is going on, it still has power for steaming, and makes great microfoam. I have used a friends new Stradivari, which only releases steam for a few seconds and then shuts off the bypass valve when the tank reaches full pressure. Based on that experience I assumed that something was wrong with my Europiccola. But in browsing around for an answer on this site, I found a passing comment by another poster implying that older machines do this as a normal matter of course.

Also is it blowing steam out of the bypass? Under "normal" operation the pressure stat models shouldnt blow off as the older models do. If yes something may be wrong with the nylon "ball" or spring.

La Pavoni Pro can't get up to full pressure

Is this correct, or do I need to repair the valve?

I took the valve apart, and all the parts appear to be in the right place, in working order.

Hi Tim and welcome, Yes venting the steam is normal for the older machines. The newer machines have a pressurestat (switches the heater off at a preset pressure) and the "vent" is there only as a overpressure type of safety.

The older machines use 2 heat settings (manual) and the pressure vent to control the temp. Even at the low power setting you should get a little bit of steam venting, and when you go to high heat you should get a real healthy ammount of steam

timbo wrote:Is this correct, or do I need to repair the valve?
I took the valve apart, and all the parts appear to be in the right place, in working order.

Yeah, when the machine is on the "II" (high) setting, you can pretty much steam milk from either the steam wand or via the pressure relief valve They both put out quite a bit of steam, when the machine is on high, which is normal.

Nothing to worry about.

Ray

I use the steam as an indicator that the pressure/temp is correct. fwiw i brew at the lower setting, steam at the higher.

Okay thanks guys, that puts my mind at ease. One more question about the Euro - when I turn it on in position I, it heats up slowly, and then starts venting a small amount of steam out the bypass. Is that how I know it has reached proper shot-pulling temp? There is no green indicator light or pressure gauge as in the newer models.

Yes Tim thats how I did it, I eventually added a gauge but its not absolutley necessary. Put it in position II till it just starts steaming a little then switch it to position I and the wait will be a lot less. Mine usually takes about 6 minutes.

I barely used the lower setting. Hi til it begins to steam, then off pull the shot. Because Pavs over heat so much, I turn them off alot, even my Pav pro gets turned off fairly quickly. Consider getting 2 temp strips from OE then you'll know the boiler temp and the head temp and you can play with the variables. FWIW as the escape vent spring tires it opens sooner, boiler temp goes down....there are solutions jsut good to know. If you are getting good strong steam from the steam wand you are fine for now.