Greetings! Just joined the forum but have had an Olympia Cremina for about 18 years or so. I have had it overhauled a few times at Rudy's in NYC and am pretty familiar with it's operation. I usually pull one or two double shots a day and have enjoyed the feedback and feel of lever press espresso. It is akin to barbecuing with charcoal as opposed to gas though I suspect that is for another forum.

I have been having an intermittent problem with steaming and have not been able to pin down the exact conditions that cause it:

On occasion, when I want to steam milk, I open the steam valve and vent into the original plastic funnel and pitcher that came with the machine, I effectively blow out any water that is at the spout and wait for the thermostat light to go back off. On occasion there is quite a lot of water that comes out sometimes emptying the tank as much as 50% if I leave the valve open. I sometimes need to do this several times. I have used a straight pin to clear the holes but sometimes to no avail. It causes my !% milk to become quite watery at times and as I never give myself all that much time in the morning, sometimes need to settle for a watered down latte for the road.

I wonder if this is a sign that my thermostat is on its way out as it may be creating inconsistent temperature and therefore pressure insufficient for dry steam. The only other factor to throw in to the mix here is that I am seeing some leakage at the piston top - I am about to order the gasket replacement kit and have at it - as this compromises pressure perhaps this is the root of my steaming ills?

Thanks for any advice and help on the matter.

Steve

I think your theory that the seal leak is causing the problem is likely accurate. It sounds like when you open the steam valve the pressure is too low , likely the seal issue. the pressurestat can be set higher, yes, but it will then be likely too high when you get the new seals installed. I would see if new seals fixes the watery issue and proceed from there.

Hi Doug,

I just finished the restore of my Cremina. The instructions were perfect. It is tight and the feel when raising the lever has never been smoother. However, I am still getting a very watery steam. No Microfoaming and a lot of water coming out the steam wand. I pulled a blind shot and the temp at the group head was about 190 degrees F.

What next? I assume there is something I can do to adjust the temperature/pressure to correct this. Thing is that this never used to happen so perhaps the thermostat is on it's way out?

Thanks for all the help!

Steve

I was also experiencing watery steam. I read somewhere on here (can't find the thread now) a suggestion to lower the water level in the boiler. I found that keeping the boiler 1/2 to 2/3 full cured the problem. Keeping the boiler 1/2 full in the cremina is probably not practical if you still want water for espresso, so I would experiment and find a level that works for both.

Here is another possibility; when the steam first starts, it blows water condensed from steam in the valve and wand from the last use. I get a half second or so spray when I first open the wand and sometimes at a second steaming when the wand has cooled between shots. I just let the spray go into my bar towel and when I have true steam I stretch the milk. This happens with other machines also.

Since I also use the wand venting to release false pressure it serves two purposes. I often vent twice.
I also fill the boiler to one inch from the top of the sight glass.

It is great to see folks doing their own maintenance!!
-Richard

Thanks for the replies. I do vent the false pressure and sometimes a second venting but whenever I do it I am dispensing a full pitcher of water effectively emptying my boiler tank. Is this something that can be fixed by raising the water temperature in the boiler by a few degrees. The first pull shows about 190 on the group head, with great crema and nice taste. Second double shot can sometimes give me a bubbly (boiling?) extraction.

Is there an adjustment inside to raise the temp/pressure?

Richard's suggestion is very good, as in any machine the first opening of the steam valve will blow a little water as it accumulated in the steam piping. Adjusting the pressure is very simple. Remove the cover and turn the wheel up on the pstat. As the space above the adjusting wheel gets smaller the pressure increases as does the temp. As far as the water volume for a capable shot on the Cremina....the water siphon tube that feeds the group goes all the way down to the bottom of the boiler and the end of the tube sits inside of the element, so even with an inch of water (not actually recommended) the water will be forced to the group. Half full is more than plenty for a shot, but may result in weaker steam than a fuller boiler.