Concept Art (aka Rexroth) Steam Group Brush

#1: Post by **boar_d_laze** » June 17th, 2011, 9:35 pm

Just ordered one on a whim as a Father's Day Present for myself. Any relevant advice?

BDL

#2: Post by **outrigger** » June 18th, 2011, 2:43 pm

Happy Father's Day, BDL, which one did you order?

This:
http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... Brush.html
or this:
http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... usive.html
or this:
http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... Basic.html
or this:
http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... ziert.html ?

IMHO, the "Exclusive" is the only one I did not burn my hand. Cheers!

June 18th, 2011, 3:30 pm

This is the one: http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... Brush.html

Get it clean with the power of steam!

BDL

#4: Post by **TomC** » June 20th, 2011, 8:42 am

I saw this. I want!!!

http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... -Blue.html

#5: Post by **Clint Orchuk** » June 20th, 2011, 9:11 am

Brilliant idea.

#6: Post by **duke-one** » June 26th, 2011, 1:41 pm

I saw a very nice knock box on the web site listed above but could not find it in the US. Does anyone know the brand name or a state side supplier?

http://www.concept-art.de/OXID_ESHOP_CE ... usive.html
Thanks, KDM

#7: Post by **TomC** » June 28th, 2011, 2:56 am

That looks like the Porsche of knock boxes. Very cool and the feet look plenty substantial if they are solid rubber( no inner posts).

June 28th, 2011, 8:08 am

www.idrinkcoffee.com carries them. Free shipping, too.

BDL

July 1st, 2011, 4:17 pm

Update and brief review:

Received it. Put it together. Hooked it up. Tried to use it (dry steam) but the silicone (vinyl?) tube blew itself off the hose barb (not the steam wand). Ghetto rigged it with a twist tie, and all was secure. Have subsequently upgraded to three (count them, three) plastic wire ties, for that "'Klassy' with a capital 'K' effect." Should you want to soften the steam-punk-kludge look farther, you could use high temp sealant.

People here and in other fora seemed concerned about the tube possibly blowing itself off the steam wand. If you're not careful, it does. However, as long as the silicone tube is pushed up close to the wider part of the tip, it will not come off, at least not on my machine. Unfortunately, the higher up the tip you push the tube, the more of a beast it is to remove from the wand. You may have to pull fairly hard, which means supporting the steam wand so as not to pull the wand from your machine, but (surprise surprise) steam wands get hot. If it's really stuck, let the wand cool before removal, run some fresh steam through it so the heat soften and expands the silicone, then use two towels.

Bottom Line:
This thing REALLY REALLY works. It leaves the group raceway, gasket, and screen immaculately clean; and of course you can use it to clean anything it can reach. On the other hand, because it takes so much time to set up and put away you'll probably want to reserve it for end of the day and continue using your regular brush between shots for those inter-shot times you want to brush. It's a large PITA.

Worth it? If you're seriously into clean, AND you can afford a $75 brush, AND you enjoy complication, AND you like buying gifts for your espresso machine, it is. Otherwise, no.

I like mine.

BDL

July 19th, 2011, 10:38 am

Update (sort of):

Used daily, it's not that much of a PITA (or at least you become resigned), and really does make a difference. My group and screen stay visibly cleaner between Full Circle cleanings than they did with a regular brush. The machine seems to reveal more in the cup, but I can't promise the connection isn't post hoc propter hoc. Pass the Kool-Aid.

Blast it clean with the power of steam,
BDL