I bought a Scace thermofilter last year from espressoparts and after about 6 weeks there was a short in the wire where it enters the portafilter. I sent it back and after $150 it was fixed I believe by Greg Scace. Five months later it is now doing the same thing. Since the first fix, I was extremely careful and always stored it in its own box. Has anyone had similar problems. It is such a great tool but I now am hesitant about spending another $150 to fix it.

I've been using one for 3 years or so
almost every day and some times multiple times a day
No problem here
DISCLAIMER: I bought it, I don't have any affiliation with Mr.SCACE

jmp wrote:I bought a Scace thermofilter last year from espressoparts and after about 6 weeks there was a short in the wire where it enters the portafilter. I sent it back and after $150 it was fixed I believe by Greg Scace.

I'm having the very same issue. I dropped a line to Greg, and I'll let you know what he tells me.

jmp wrote:I bought a Scace thermofilter last year from espressoparts and after about 6 weeks there was a short in the wire where it enters the portafilter. I sent it back and after $150 it was fixed I believe by Greg Scace. Five months later it is now doing the same thing. Since the first fix, I was extremely careful and always stored it in its own box. Has anyone had similar problems. It is such a great tool but I now am hesitant about spending another $150 to fix it.

Hi there:

Sorry for your problems with your Scace. I think you already talked to Erin at EPNW? she contacted me and I replied to her regarding your thermometer.

Stainless steel sheathing on the wires solved the problem of chafing on the strain relief, but the junction between the leads and the very fine wires within the probe (0.005 inches diameter) has been problematic for some, but not all. I think I've solved the problem by the simplest strain-relief scheme imagineable - one that shoulda smacked me upside the head a while ago. Anyhow,Please call me at 240 252 0242. You can email me at gscace at nist dot gov. Generally this is not a good email addy for Scace related questions, but I am changing ISPs today and might lose some email.

-Greg

Thanks for the reply. I did talk to Espresso parts and they are going to send me an upgraded Scace. I appreciate this as I have found its use in a non PID espresso machine very valuable in getting the temperatures that you want in your pour. I have a Simonelli Appia that I love and with the feedback from the Scace, I can dial in almost any temp I want. On thing I found that I wonder if anybody else has seen is that if I just remove a hot portafilter for more than 5-10 seconds, the drop in temp when you brew can be several degrees. It is much more sensitive than I thought and I suspect that any change in portafilter temp between pours allows it to act a a heat sink and drop the temp significantly. I remember reading an opinion somewhere that just leaving the spent coffee puck in the filter until just before you refill, improved the shot quality and wonder if it has to do with what I observed. Or maybe this is just a coffee Nerd effect.