Newest mod for Gaggia home machines...

I bought a type "T" thermocouple probe & compression fitting, drilled &
tapped a hole in the side of the boiler, fitted the compression fitting into
the hole, inserted the TC probe, & tightened everything down.

Using my modded Espresso with the type "T" probe placed in the boiler, I
developed the following technique;
1. Turn on steam switch & bring water to 300F & shut off steam switch & let
set for 3 minutes
2. Open steam valve, turn on pump to draw off 10 ounces of water, & shut off
pump
3. Wait for PID set point to again be reached
4. Pull shot

Because the boiler has been heated to 300F, the aluminum & brass boiler &
group are much hotter than the set point. After the 10 ounces of water is
pumped through the steam wand, the water in the boiler is well below the set
point. When the PID kicks in to reach the set point again the hot boiler &
group help achieve a uniform temperature in the boiler (normally the water
stratifies by temperature: hotter up, cooler down). This is a temporary
uniformity so the shot must be pulled right away with no delays.

Now when I pull a shot from the 3.5 ounce boiler, the water is as close to
being uniformly hot from start to finish as is possible. The secret
here is the placement of the TC into the boiler so I can measure the exact
temperature of the water.

This is a new addition to the Espresso & I'm still testing it. As soon as I
finish tests I'll do a write up on the modifications.
--
Robert Harmon
--
http://www.tinyurl.com/mb4uj - My coffee pages.
http://www.tinyurl.com/2cr3e2 - I have things for sale here.
http://www.tinyurl.com/2j8jur - Gaggia User's Group
http://www.tinyurl.com/235dfr - BUG is Bunn User's Group (espresso)


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