Hello all-

I am finally willing to think about drilling a hole in the top of my Arrarex Caravel for insertion of a temperature probe. I have resisted up until now because I did not want to ruin the machine's aesthetics, but I think I am ready to do it.

Any suggestions on where to put the hole? Photos?
TIA
-Daniel

I've read that stainless steel is difficult to drill.

I use an Ikea kitchen thermometer, with a steel probe that fits in a slightly opened corner of the lid. I didn't see the need to drill. I usually shut the lid tight until the water gets hot, open the lid for the probe. Then when the temp is right and I begin to pull the shot, I remove the probe and close the lid.

PC

You know what else would be really cool, a brew pressure gauge on the Caravel. But, alas, this lovely thing is meant to be analog. Two solutions I can think of:

1. Do what you do for pressure, develop a feel for it using your senses, touch it, hear it, feel it.

OR

2. Get one of these: http://www.orphanespresso.com/Pennys-Ho..._2139.html , in my experience this one hasn't been precise or quick but it'd give you some numbers to go by.

FWIW, ehmmm, I was never able to make my Caravel sing as beautifully as my Peppina.

Daniel, one more thought, someone here PIDed a Caravel, thermocouple and all: Caravel heating element modification + PID

I have just dangled temp probe in- and I found as I would expect- when the water boils it is around 100C

So I usually pull my shot just below this point. I am not sure if you really need a temp gauge for these machines. The best thing you can do is get good coffee, grind and tamp well.

You can get a good feel for the pressure from the levers. If the shot is moving too quick you can return the levers to the top- let in a little more water- and this will usually increase the pressure considerably.

I appreciate the replies thus far.

I use a digital thermometer and want to install its probe so that I do not have to leave the kettle lid slid open. When I do so, moisture quickly condenses and will eventually drip over the sides—no big deal. I would like to make things a little easier, that is the point of installing the probe semi-permanently. I also would like to have just a little bit more consistency that opening the lid reduces.

I've seen the PID's and think that is overkill. The original thermal switch is okay, but not terribly precise. Has anyone installed a probe through their Caravel lid(s)?

Considering how thin the steel is, could you attach a probe to the outside on the back? Some pump machines have their thermostat probes attached this way.

With the blends I use I pull shots at 90C. This works best for N. Italian espresso blends.

I guess i'm really basic, but i just used to heat water in my electric kettle to just boiling, pour the water into the caravel, stick in the probe, when it said 200, pulled a shot. (Machine turn on after I poured water in...4 minutes later, water again at 200f, pull shot. For me, the caravel was not a machine for company, just me. 2 shots being sufficient.
Wish i didn't have to giver her back.

peacecup wrote:Considering how thin the steel is, could you attach a probe to the outside on the back?

This is a good idea. I have slid the temperature probe in the small space between the kettle and the back of the base: I could try calculating the differential between kettle temperature and water temperature. The problem is that these two figures will not remain consistent.

I am not looking to make anything more difficult. Indeed, I wanted to make things simpler. I just wondered if anyone else has permanently installed a temperature probe in their Caravel. I am very hesitant to ruin its classic good looks.