Espresso machine repairs?

[peterh770]

Just got an email from a friend. I figure this might be the best place to ask:

 

<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><tt>Out of your appliance geek friends, do you know anyone who
fixes/restores espresso machines? I just bought a semi-vintage Astoria
and I'd like some input...
</tt></tt></pre>

 

[whirlpolf]

I might...

be able to give just basic advice, as I am totally unfamiliar with the machine or brand that your friend mentioned.
However, I had been working as a repairman for Gaggia, Turmix, Saeco and other brands here. The basic construction of those machines should be the same all over the globe.
Yet, some details might be helpful and some hints of what is not working.
(Boiler type? Piston pump? Magnetic pump? Fully automatic? Manual press-down? More input, input, input *No. 5 robot voice* ;-)))

 

[dsavage]

More input...

Well, it's a commercial unit with two heads, or "groups" I think they are called...

On the plate it says that it's a 110 kw-2... it also says that the NF 33284, (I take it that's the serial number,) and the M, (which I assumes stands for Model,) has been etched over with 718, which I assume is the area code for the number of the manufacturer, which is what is on the plate. (And it's now the area code for the Bronx... )

Not shown is a lever on the lower right hand side of the frame, which activates a piston of some sort... and the guy gave me a German pump which looks to be 110v also, but I don't think that it goes inside the Astoria. (What would a german pump be doing in an Italian espresso maker?)

As far as what works or doesn't... I haven't done anything with it since I got it. (About two weeks ago...) So, to the best of my knowledge, nothing works. The guy that I bought it off of said that he got it at an estate sale about a year and a half ago, and didn't know enough to get it installed, or work on it, so it never worked for him as well...

 

[dsavage]

Continued...

I'm hoping that I have better luck getting it worked on/installed or restoring it myself. Anything to get it working.

I think that I read somewhere that all Astorias are single boiler, but as far as automatic or what not, I don't know... there is a single button on each "group." Whether that makes it auto or semi-auto, I don't know, since I've never worked anything more complicated than a Krups that I kept in the kitchen cupboard.

Let me know if you need anything else from me.
-D

 

[whirlpolf]

a needle in a haystack... *sigh*

Ok, this is what I've got: You own it, it is there and you haven't done any other things than to take these photos. This could be ANYthing. A toughy, I know.

As far as I can guess (just a guess!) from these small pictures: It must be a contious boiler system with 2 pump groups, a milk frother and there is some pressure gauge as well.

Here is the process:
1. Is it electrically safe?
2. Is it waterproof (no leaks)?
3. Will it operate as given in the manual?

Then, to the more nitty-gritty:
4. Will all the values be up to company standards (pressures et al)?
5. Are all coffee components clean and uncorroded? Has all descaling been done? Are no components "less than new"?
6. Can ALL functionalities be re-established?
7. What if there was "real coffee" used in it? How does it taste? Are pressures and temperatures up to standards? Will it produce the necessary "crema di caffè"? Can it froth milk in less than 15 secs? How high is the foam layer, how hot is the milk?

And most generally: Where is the manual, the company's address? Have you tried to get explosion drawings? Have you opened and inspected the machine and all of its components?
Are there any better (larger and higher resolution) pics of the machine (inside and outside likewise?) The ones shown here are worthless. unfortunately.

quote: "any other than Krups" --> the basic principle is still the same (just larger) (as with so many things in life ;-))

quote: "German pump in Italian machine" --> Normal. This is Europe. Anyone buying stuff from anybody else. Think of it as all of the US states and you get the picture.

What is that "piston" thing, what does it do?

You will be sure, I will not do the googling for you, but please feel free to send me any usable detail to my e-mail, make pics and send them, get all available details. Get it running and tell me (if you feel safe to do so.)

Thanks.

 

[whirlpolf]

f you feel safe to do so...

And DON'T risk anything. Getting electrically shocked is between awful, frightening and deadly. In case of the slightest doubt better measure the unit and approach it on the safe side. (I've had my share, believe me).
Watching my inbox here.
J.

 

[dsavage]

Here is the process:
1. Is it electrically safe?
1a. Unknown - haven't plugged it in yet.
2. Is it waterproof (no leaks)?
2a. Unknown - I think I know where to "line in" water, but I don't know if I need to hook the pump up between the water pipe and the espresso maker.
3. Will it operate as given in the manual?
3a. If I had a manual...

Then, to the more nitty-gritty:
4. Will all the values be up to company standards (pressures et al)?
4a. Highly unlikely.
5. Are all coffee components clean and uncorroded? Has all descaling been done? Are no components "less than new"?
5a. All components are less than new, I doubt it was descaled before the guy I bought it off of had it.
6. Can ALL functionalities be re-established?
6a. Well, like I said, I'm the last person to know about commercial equipment, but it doesn't look like it does anything other than make shots of espresso and froth milk, so, hopefully yes.
7. What if there was "real coffee" used in it? How does it taste? Are pressures and temperatures up to standards? Will it produce the necessary "crema di caffè"? Can it froth milk in less than 15 secs? How high is the foam layer, how hot is the milk?
7a. Like I said, haven't even plugged it in, or hooked up water. Was hoping to find out if someone knew how these things were supposed to operate before attempting anything.

And most generally: Where is the manual, the company's address? Have you tried to get explosion drawings? Have you opened and inspected the machine and all of its components?
Are there any better (larger and higher resolution) pics of the machine (inside and outside likewise?) The ones shown here are worthless. unfortunately.

Those were the photos of it from the ad that I purchased it from. I'll tear off all of the plastic wrap and take some better photos for you.

quote: "German pump in Italian machine" --> Normal.
But it looks like it is meant to be mounted externally, say under the counter or something... it doesn't look like it would fit in there, not just that it's german...

What is that "piston" thing, what does it do?
Your guess is better than mine, however, that being said, I've seen on some forums about a backbackflush... but I don't know.

I'll look into the questions that you asked, but I didn't have an answer for.
Thanks,
-D

 

[peterh770]

David,

What happens when you try to call the company?  Did they go under or are they still around?

 

[ozzie908]

Back wash

Consists of using the coffee pod with a solid rubber washer in it that you place in the pod along with a descaling tablet you then insert pod to coffee group and swith on and off briefly and quickly this makes the hot water go into the group and flush any scale and dry coffee grounds out a steel or brass brush is then used to clean any remaining grot from the head of the coffee group, Also you can then wash out the pod head with hot water and leave to dry thats a back wash I believe.
it may be scaled up in the boiler you can get descaler for it but its a pain to do as its a sealed system and needs to be connected to the water mains.

All the above is from memory of having a coffee machine in my restaurant a few years ago hope it helps?

Austin

 

[miele_ge]

Services unlimited is the one to ask

They did a recondition job on my 16 year old Saeco Espresso machine a few months ago.

Easy to deal with and they do great work.

They are in Lancaster PA area I think

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[dsavage]

@peterh770

I called the number that was on the machine, they were out of service. I looked online and there is another company that, (I guess,) took over the North American business for Astoria, and called them.

They suggested Espresso Fix... They're local and I'm able to meet with them tomorrow and have them give my machine a once-over to see what they can see.

Good news is, the tech I talked with said that Astoria didn't change their internal components all that much over the years, and if the internal boiler is good, then the rest should be a relatively inexpensive restoration.

Also, I found out what the pump was for... it's an external pump for the espresso machine. He said that as long as the pump can operate within certain parameters, it doesn't matter what kind of pump it is... (and he'll look it over tomorrow as well.)

The best news of the day though was the validation that I got it for a good price... and that it should serve my needs well in a smaller cafe.

I really hope that his idea of a "relatively inexpensive restoration" is in alignment with mine. I think this machine looks like the '57 Chevy of espresso makers... almost art-deco-ish

-D

 

[dsavage]

@miele_ge

I didn't see where they did restorations on their website... And I didn't see any parts when I clicked on the Astoria tab... However, I did see a bunch on there for Saeco... I'll definitely remember that for next time. (Seems to be a popular one to rebuild/restore.)

I'll call them tomorrow if things don't go well with the Espresso Fix guy, but I always try to go local when I can, (not only does it help on shipping costs, it supports the local economy.)

Anyways, thanks for the help.
-D

 

[peterh770]

"...and that it should serve my needs well in a smaller

Really now?  I guess a lunch or dinner is in order soon... 

 

[dsavage]

@peterh770

Well, according to "The Rules" if you're going to ask me out over the weekend, you should have done it on Wednesday, to make sure that I have a clear calendar...