Unscrewing the portafilter spout? - Page 2

by **Psyd** on Sat May 09, 2009 7:03 pm

Vad wrote:I will start with freezer/boiling water. And if it fails I will try to put it in a clamp as itsallaroundyou suggest. Then if that fails, I will go to a local carsmith and ask him what he could do to unscrew it

So, Vad, how did it go?

by **Vad** on Sat May 09, 2009 7:55 pm

I tried the freezer/hot water thing, and it did not work. I just bent the table's foot that I used as a "clamp".

Anyway, the portafilter is now in a freezer for a second day, awaiting for the moment when I find something more durable, to twist it in. If this fails, I will give it to a car-locksmith on monday.

by **Vad** on Sun May 10, 2009 8:10 am

Tried again now—no luck. Showed it to my car-locksmith and he warned that the material of the spout is soft and looks fragile for such a force that seemed to be necessary to unscrew it. But anyway, I told him to try it tomorrow. Talk about solving the mistery of a screwed spout

by **triptogenetica** on Sun May 10, 2009 9:53 am

Psyd wrote:Easier (and better or the nickel/chrome finish) to stick the whole PF in the freezer

Ah, the freezaporto! Mmmmmm...

When I had real trouble with this (unscrewing a portafilter), I put the spouts on a flat hard surface, put a plank of wood on top, and my foot on top of that. Then I pulled the handle. (But of course, if you have a clamp / vise - go for it). My method probably only suits double spouts, though...

by **Vad** on Sun May 10, 2009 10:02 am

Hehe, nice video

He can also re-use the coffee again, after drying it. So he can get even more of that great yellow-white goodness.

Yes, I tried applying some force, and it did not move. That is why I give it to the guy with a vise. He said he will try to sprinkle some "releaser" on the thread. I guess I will have a long cleaning session, it it works out.

by **chipman** on Sun May 10, 2009 2:29 pm

Why go to all the trouble if the threads are fighting you? Why not just soak it in cafiza and then use a steam wand cleaner or even a pipe cleaner to take care of the insides?

http://sweetmarias.com/prod.coffeecleaner.php

by HB on Sun May 10, 2009 3:22 pm

The threads portafilter spouts I've dealt with were sealed with Loctite Red or similar. It takes a considerable amount of force to break the thread sealant, so much so that I thought the portafilter handle might snap. I doubt soaking in espresso cleaner would make any difference; searching on remove Loctite red turned up some possibilities (heat it to 500F? Yikes!). That said, a vice with padded faces has worked every time and none have broken or bent yet (La Marzocco, La Spaziale, Faema-style, Rancilio, etc.).

by **Vad** on Sun May 10, 2009 5:03 pm

chipman wrote:Why go to all the trouble if the threads are fighting you? Why not just soak it in cafiza and then use a steam wand cleaner or even a pipe cleaner to take care of the insides?

I just want it to be removable any time I wanted, in the future. For that I need it to be easily unscrewed.

HB wrote:That said, a vice with padded faces has worked every time and none have broken or bent yet (La Marzocco, La Spaziale, Faema-style, Rancilio, etc.).

Thank you for the calming words. Anyway, you are not to blame if the spout breaks during the attempt, I will not blame anyone

by **Vad** on Mon May 11, 2009 5:00 am

I got a call from a car-locksmith now. He said that the spout is now unscrewed. He used a vice and a considerable amount of force (I don't know which side though :wink:

hopefully not the Dark one).
Thank you all for the advices.

by **CRCasey** on Tue May 12, 2009 12:46 am

May the spoutless be with you.


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