Techniques wanted on removing E61 shower screen - Page 2

#11: Post by **lolgun** » August 18th, 2010, 10:27 am

I just removed my screen and gasket on my Duetto - sorry but I don't get what all the fuss is about? Maybe it's because my machine is 3 mos old or so (maybe another month but same same right?) and it took me all of 15 seconds to pop the screen and gasket out using a small spoon. No scratches, no mess and the machine was off so I didn't get burned.

Only concession I'll make is the screen did have the little groove so it was quite simple to do.

August 18th, 2010, 11:32 am

a tip i got from the german speaking kaffee-netz and used a lot on my izzo vivi e61 before i sold it:

use the blindfilter, lock the portafilter, turn on the pump and release the portailter slowly (always hold it tight to prevent it from popping out). at some point the gasket gets washed (?) out (be carefull)...once u have the trick its pretty simple and works without any additional tools!

August 18th, 2010, 11:39 am

I have used that trick before on a lever machine. It has the potential to blow 200+F water on you which would hurt at best, scalding off skin or going blind is a possible side effect. The paint can opener has always worked well for me. You could use a break drum adjustment tool as well if you have one in the tool box. It is basically a screwdriver with a 90 degree bend on the head. When I am feeling particularly manly, I just grab it with my teeth and pull it out, while the group is 210 degrees.

#14: Post by **werbin** » August 19th, 2010, 8:40 pm

I tried the spoon trick on an Expobar Brewtus II. The gasket came out easily.
The last time it was out was a year ago.
The screen was coated with a black gooky crud. Very ugly.
I cleaned it off with a 3M Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scour Pad which did a good job.

I had been doing a simple back flush with water only once-a-week.
I thought that was good enough.
I was wrong.

#15: Post by **earlgrey_44** » August 19th, 2010, 8:54 pm

werbin wrote:I had been doing a simple back flush with water only once-a-week.
I thought that was good enough.
I was wrong.

This is a discovery worth celebrating!

I let mine go too long also when I was new to the e-61. Now I drop the screen frequently to clean inside, which makes both the removal a trivially easy task, and the coffee taste noticeably better.

#16: Post by **earlgrey_44** » August 19th, 2010, 8:59 pm

cannonfodder wrote: When I am feeling particularly manly, I just grab it with my teeth and pull it out, while the group is 210 degrees.

Another way to approach the task - truly, there are giants who walk among us.

August 20th, 2010, 12:16 am

Insert guttural manly grunt sounds while billows or blue cigar smoke roll up around my head.

#18: Post by **lolgun** » August 20th, 2010, 1:16 am

cannonfodder wrote: When I am feeling particularly manly, I just grab it with my teeth and pull it out, while the group is 210 degrees.

I'm so happy I'm eating my museli and yogurt for breakfast now and my cappa's off to the side. If I was drinking when I read this I would have to be cleaning coffee off of my screen. Thanks for starting me day right

#19: Post by **JohnB.** » January 26th, 2011, 3:22 pm

I use the rounded end of this once popular kitchen tool to pop out the screen in my Microcasa.

It should work well in any group with a cut out on each side.

January 26th, 2011, 11:03 pm

Had not thought about the old bottle opener. I usually use a paint can opener which is essentially the same thing.