October 24, 2010

Troubleshooting Semi Automatic Espresso Machines

TROUBLESHOOTING SOME COMMON ISSUES

Here are some of the common problems we hear about from customers with suggestions for correction by any home user.  If the suggestions don't work, we recommend that you bring the machine to an authorized service centre for your brand.  We do not encourage anyone to open up the machines and try to repair them and if you choose to do so, it is at your own risk.  We are not giving directions for anything that should be done by an authorized technician.  Some of these problems are not covered under warranty (usually cleaning/descaling issues and foreign items caught in the grinder are not warranty covered) so rule out what you can at home before sending in for repair.  We cannot stress enough how important it is to fully read and understand your user manual, which usually will help you prevent many issues.

PUMP-DRIVEN SEMI-AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINES

No espresso is coming out when I turn the pump on.

• Check that there is water in the reservoir or, for plumbed-in machines, that the water is turned on.
• For boiler machines, make sure that there is water in the boiler by priming the pump.
• Coffee may be too finely ground, or tamped too firmly or there might be too much coffee in the basket.
• Mineral deposits from the water may be clogging the pump or other parts.  Try descaling.
• The screen inside the group head may have a build-up of coffee residue.  Use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the screen in place and clean the screen well.

The pump is making a loud noise.

• Check that there is water in the reservoir or, for plumbed-in machines, that the water is turned on.  
• For boiler machines, make sure that there is water in the boiler by priming the pump.
• The coffee may be ground too coarsely.

The steam wand is not working properly.

• Dried milk may be clogging the wand. Remove it from the machine and take apart any pieces that can be removed and clean thoroughly. Run water through the wand once it is back on the machine to make sure it is clear.  Remember to always wipe down with a clean cloth and run some water through immediately after every single use.
• The machine may not be in steam mode or it may still be heating.
• Mineral deposits from the water may be clogging the boiler or elements.  Try descaling.

The espresso is coming out too quickly, too watery and with little or no crema.

• The coffee may have been ground too coarsely, providing too little resistance for the water as it runs through.  (The water will be moving through the holes between the coffee grounds instead of through the grounds themselves.)
• The coffee may not have been tamped strongly enough or may have been unevenly distributed.
• There may not be enough coffee in the portafilter (fill to recommended level, usually 6.5 to 7 grams for single).
• The coffee might not be fresh.  Try to grind it immediately before use if possible and buy whole beans within a couple of days after roasting.

The espresso is coming out too slowly and tastes bitter or burnt.

• The coffee may have been ground too finely, providing too much resistance for the water.  When it takes longer for the water to go through (extraction time), it will absorb too much from the coffee.
• The coffee may have been tamped too strongly, also making it more difficult for the water to flow through.
• There might be too much coffee in the portafilter.
• The screen inside the group head may have a build-up of coffee residue.  Use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the screen in place and clean the screen well.
• The pump might not have enough pressure, either due to lack of water flow or pump age/defect.

The portafilter doesn't stay in place in the group head while brewing.

• There might be too much coffee in the portafilter. Try filling the portafilter as usual and placing in the group head and then removing it again without brewing.  If you can see an indentation of the shower screen, you have dosed too much.
• The portafilter handle may not have been properly secured in the group.
• The coffee may have been ground too fine.

Water is leaking from the group head or portafilter.

• There is a rubber gasket inside the group head that can wear down with use and lack of cleaning.  Try cleaning it well or replacing it.
• There may be coffee grounds around the rim of the portafilter after tamping, which would disrupt the seal.  Always make sure the rim is clean before attaching the portafilter to the group head.
• The coffee may have been ground too fine.  If the water cannot go through the coffee, it will move in other directions.

  Water Tank Empty Light comes on even though the Water Tank is Full.

• There is a magnetic floater in the back corner of most water tanks signaling when the water level is low.
• Most likely the floater is stuck at the bottom.
• Try cleaning it and loosen it from being stuck there. It should freely float up and down.
• There may be coffee grounds or scale build up around the edges.
  

Additional resources:

• http://www.fixya.com/ (very active forum with fast response)