The Arrarex Caravel - Page 223

February 15th, 2018, 3:34 pm

Wow! That is a beauty. I hope it treats you well.

#2222: Post by **grog** » February 15th, 2018, 3:56 pm

Very nice example. What basket(s) came with it?

February 15th, 2018, 8:49 pm

It came with one single basket only. I only had double baskets so this was a plus.

#2224: Post by **grog** » February 15th, 2018, 10:42 pm

Very cool...the single baskets are much rarer.

#2225: Post by **redbone** » March 22nd, 2018, 11:53 am

VAM back on rotation.
Interesting observation, from a cold start I noticed a temperature variance of 6f within the boiler. The inside back of boiler was 210f while front near the inlet holes was 204f. This temp variance was closer on the second shot 3f. I pass a blank heat up shot prior to initial pull in order to heat components and demitasse cup.

* I use a fast acting thermometer called Thermapen by Themoworks. Fast sensing and accurate.

#2226: Post by **redbone** » June 14th, 2018, 7:38 pm

Latest Caravel a 1.1
A 24hr soak followed by 30min ultrasonic cleaning and scrub with Barkeepers Friend.
Some fine steel wool also used on piston parts, screen and portafilter.

Time for some rewiring and cord replacement.

#2227: Post by **redbone** » June 15th, 2018, 4:58 pm

Rewired, de-scaled, new silicone seals and high temp thicker gauge wiring.

Upgraded silicone seals.

September 12th, 2018, 9:03 pm

My Girl Arrived! It smells like Italy in here ...
I almost posted in the roll call thread but wanted to rap a little about what comes in the box with what I'm guessing is the third version Caravel. This is another old new stock Caravel and while I wasn't really looking for another, the Caravel canister was a collectable I was looking for. And for some time too. It was interesting that it was packed in the box like it was part of the Caravel set and made me think that it would have been originally (okay, I might be reaching here). The original tape is on the drip tray so another clue that this lever has been completely untouched and that a canister would have been a likely candidate for these later model Caravels. One thing I'm a little confused on is the pf baskets. There are 2 but then there is one in the pf holder that I can't remove (unless I just need to add more muscle or intention

for removal - one of the two). This is also what I discovered with Big Bird, viewable in the background. I thought it was glued in the pf holder from mid century modern dust and coffee tar or as I like to call in my business - coffee essential oil but are they even removable? Maybe Francesco would know a little more since I saw on his website that he sold a canary (sans coal mine) yellow 1975 Caravel a little while back.

#2229: Post by **drgary** » September 13th, 2018, 1:49 am

As I've already shared with Cher offline:

It's got to be removable. Is it a tight twist out held in by a small dimple in the filter basket?

#2230: Post by **grog** » September 13th, 2018, 9:57 am

I had a basket/PF situation like that with a Caravel. They are held in by a small dimple (Arrarex's version of a ridged basket I suppose). I found twisting it out by hand impossible at first, and was worried about damaging it with metal tools.

Finally I thought of using a small bamboo skewer, by putting it into one of the holes in the bottom of the PF and tapping the other end of the skewer on a counter top. That popped it out without any damage to the basket.

I had to do that several times. After it's been in and out a few times the pressure fit loosens enough that it still stays on place but you can pop it out by hand.