View entire thread: Repair School
Posted by bioman63 on 2004-01-30 11:45:59 Post Subject: Repair School
I would like to retire from my teaching job and become an espresso machine repair man. I first need some training. I have always been very handy and enjoy a good mechanical challenge. I currently teach high school science but will be retiring soon. Any input or job offers would be great. Thanks for your time.
ps I have traveled quite abit it Italy and would love an excuse to go back!
Bioman
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Posted by bioman63 on 2004-01-30 11:45:59 Post Subject: Repair School
I would like to retire from my teaching job and become an espresso machine repair man. I first need some training. I have always been very handy and enjoy a good mechanical challenge. I currently teach high school science but will be retiring soon. Any input or job offers would be great. Thanks for your time.
ps I have traveled quite abit it Italy and would love an excuse to go back!
Bioman
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View entire thread: Espresso Machine Repair Training?
Posted by moabsdailygrind on 2006-12-10 01:38:36 Post Subject: Espresso Machine Repair Training?
Hi, I am new to this forum. We own a drive-thru coffee shop in a small resort town in SE Utah. We recently had some problems with our machine. My husband is very mechanical, so he tried to fix it himself, but no luck. Finally, we broke down and had to call a technician. The nearest one is 3 hours away.
After this experience (and the big bill that came with it, not to mention the cost of traveling), my husband decided that he would like to get training in espresso machine repair (or in all coffee-related machines). However, we have not been able to find any information on training. Does anyone know where we might be able to find this out? I was told that there is a 3-day training held in major cities, which would be perfect, but we couldn't find out anything else about it. I found a program being offered by a community college in California, but it was 16 weeks long. There is no way my husband could get away for that long with our kids and business, plus he already has a degree in mechanical engineering. Please share any information that you have. Would appreciate it if he could go for a quick training somewhere close, like Denver, Salt Lake City, or Las Vegas.
Also, I know that all of these technicians have service repair manuals for the major brands of espresso machines. I went online and ordered one from Bunn and Nuova Simonelli, but I haven't been able to find any for any of the other brands. I am especially interested in Rancilio, because that is what we have.
Thanks for any help! Our closest competitor told me that he counted 46 espresso machines in our little town, so there is definitely a need for a local technician.
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Posted by moabsdailygrind on 2006-12-10 01:38:36 Post Subject: Espresso Machine Repair Training?
Hi, I am new to this forum. We own a drive-thru coffee shop in a small resort town in SE Utah. We recently had some problems with our machine. My husband is very mechanical, so he tried to fix it himself, but no luck. Finally, we broke down and had to call a technician. The nearest one is 3 hours away.
After this experience (and the big bill that came with it, not to mention the cost of traveling), my husband decided that he would like to get training in espresso machine repair (or in all coffee-related machines). However, we have not been able to find any information on training. Does anyone know where we might be able to find this out? I was told that there is a 3-day training held in major cities, which would be perfect, but we couldn't find out anything else about it. I found a program being offered by a community college in California, but it was 16 weeks long. There is no way my husband could get away for that long with our kids and business, plus he already has a degree in mechanical engineering. Please share any information that you have. Would appreciate it if he could go for a quick training somewhere close, like Denver, Salt Lake City, or Las Vegas.
Also, I know that all of these technicians have service repair manuals for the major brands of espresso machines. I went online and ordered one from Bunn and Nuova Simonelli, but I haven't been able to find any for any of the other brands. I am especially interested in Rancilio, because that is what we have.
Thanks for any help! Our closest competitor told me that he counted 46 espresso machines in our little town, so there is definitely a need for a local technician.
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View entire thread: Vibiemme Espresso Machine
Posted by stefano65 on 2004-08-15 10:36:11 Post Subject:
Hi, I saw your message and wanted to let you know that I am in the process of starting my own espresso machine repair business. I am in Veneta, OR (outside Eugene), and have 5 years experience repairing espresso machines.
I'll be in Italy in October (which is where I'm from) and I'll be visiting Vibiemme in Milan, afterwhich I'm planningn on being one of their authorized service centers.
If you're interested in contacting me, my business email is: espressocare@msn.com
Stefano Cremonesi
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Posted by stefano65 on 2004-08-15 10:36:11 Post Subject:
Hi, I saw your message and wanted to let you know that I am in the process of starting my own espresso machine repair business. I am in Veneta, OR (outside Eugene), and have 5 years experience repairing espresso machines.
I'll be in Italy in October (which is where I'm from) and I'll be visiting Vibiemme in Milan, afterwhich I'm planningn on being one of their authorized service centers.
If you're interested in contacting me, my business email is: espressocare@msn.com
Stefano Cremonesi
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View entire thread: Likely service package?
Posted by Rushmore on 2005-04-21 00:31:49 Post Subject: Good info
I hear ya CCafe. Its good info. Like any piece of specialized equipment be it a sports car or a sail boat, you can either learn to do the maintenace on it yourself or pay someone else to do it for you. I ask the question because there is no real repair person in my area. If someone's machine breaks down they call this generic appliance guy who takes forever and charges an arm and a leg. And from what I've heard does a pretty so-so job at that. I am considering going into the espresso machine repair business. It seems like a much needed service but I'm asking all you guys in here because maybe I'm missing something. Why isn't someone already doing it in a city with at least a couple hundred machines in regular use?
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Posted by Rushmore on 2005-04-21 00:31:49 Post Subject: Good info
I hear ya CCafe. Its good info. Like any piece of specialized equipment be it a sports car or a sail boat, you can either learn to do the maintenace on it yourself or pay someone else to do it for you. I ask the question because there is no real repair person in my area. If someone's machine breaks down they call this generic appliance guy who takes forever and charges an arm and a leg. And from what I've heard does a pretty so-so job at that. I am considering going into the espresso machine repair business. It seems like a much needed service but I'm asking all you guys in here because maybe I'm missing something. Why isn't someone already doing it in a city with at least a couple hundred machines in regular use?
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View entire thread: Data on when/where commuters buy coffee
Posted by espressomaniac on 2004-11-03 02:44:26 Post Subject: WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
People want their coffee first and foremost, in fact, 70-90% of coffee drinkers make theirs at home, hell, don't even talk to me until I have my second cup or you'll be asking for it, not eeevvveen going to discuss my attitude if I'm on the road without my caffine fix.
Close to home, as close to their walk to their car or right along the main road they normally take to hit the freeway. In a perfect world, having a cart in front of their door would be optimum,. When I lived in Seattle, I did espresso machine repair for a few of the local Cafe's, in a couple that had decent espresso and cute barristas, I'd opt to just trade my services for free joe any time, so normally either just before I hit my car, or right afterwards, would drop by one to get my java instead of making it at home. Now a days, there are no places like that, I don't have to commute to work since my shop is also at my house and beans are free due to the fact my brother owns a roaster.
Anyway, if you are going to set up close to work, better plan upon adding a lunch menu becuase by the time they hit their job, it's likely they've been espresso'd up and you are waiting at the lunch crowd.
There will be exceptions of course, but as a rule, as close to the beginning of the commute the better.
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Posted by espressomaniac on 2004-11-03 02:44:26 Post Subject: WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
People want their coffee first and foremost, in fact, 70-90% of coffee drinkers make theirs at home, hell, don't even talk to me until I have my second cup or you'll be asking for it, not eeevvveen going to discuss my attitude if I'm on the road without my caffine fix.
Close to home, as close to their walk to their car or right along the main road they normally take to hit the freeway. In a perfect world, having a cart in front of their door would be optimum,. When I lived in Seattle, I did espresso machine repair for a few of the local Cafe's, in a couple that had decent espresso and cute barristas, I'd opt to just trade my services for free joe any time, so normally either just before I hit my car, or right afterwards, would drop by one to get my java instead of making it at home. Now a days, there are no places like that, I don't have to commute to work since my shop is also at my house and beans are free due to the fact my brother owns a roaster.
Anyway, if you are going to set up close to work, better plan upon adding a lunch menu becuase by the time they hit their job, it's likely they've been espresso'd up and you are waiting at the lunch crowd.
There will be exceptions of course, but as a rule, as close to the beginning of the commute the better.
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View entire thread: Crud inside screen - how come?
Posted by Randy G. on 2008-06-10 15:22:05 Post Subject: Re: Backflushing Silvia
No, no backflush. ... The guy that sold me my machine says "NEVER BACKFLUSH." Since he services the things I pay a little more attention to the sellers instructions.
IMO- any "expert" that tells you not to backflush a machine with a 3-way valve:
- doesn't trust their customers and doesn't want to deal with warranty problems from people who damage their machine by leaving it running with a blind filter for ten or fifteen minutes at a time
- or -
- doesn't have a clue as to how an espresso machine works.
- or -
- doesn't know what they are talking about, and only are experts because they tell you they are experts.
have the guy read this:
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html
and then feel free to have him contact me. I would be glad to discuss any part of it that he might find inaccurate. That article was reviewed by one of the most respected and knowledgeable espresso machine repair persons in the world and approved as accurate.
If he can't be bothered to read it, read the following to him over the phone angd get his comments:
Form the above linked article:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't the machine be damaged by backflushing?
As you have learned from this series of images, backflushing does basically the same thing as when you choke the machine with too fine of a grind, and it is basically the same as when you turn on the hot water switch, causing the pump to operate before you open the hot water valve. In either of those cases, the overpressure relief valve opens and allows the excess pressure to be relieved back into the water reservoir, protecting the pump and other components from damage.
If you use a bit of common sense, backflushing is no more damaging to your machine than choking it. Quite the opposite can be said to be true, because when the machine is choked, the home barrista will often allow it to run in that states for ten or fifteen seconds waiting for something to drip forth from the portafilter. When backflushing, the pump needs not labor for more than one or two seconds before being switched off to allow the 3-way to open.
If the machine is damaged from over pressure when backflushing then it was about to fail anyway. If a boiler seal is blown when backflushing it was about to go and would have failed from the next choked shot if not before. If a pump fails from proper backflushing it was just about to fail anyway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Among people who really know espresso machines there is NO divergent opinions about backflushing.
here is another point of view- a person who makes money repairing machines tells you to not backflush ever. After two or three years the machine becomes clogged and the 3-way valve stops operating. The machine, now out of warranty, needs to be repaired. Who benefits now? The guy charging you to clean a machine that he told you not to keep clean nor properly maintained.
There are lots of opinions about backflushing. I do not mean to sound pissy, but at least I back my opinions up with facts and scientific evidence.
I also do not sell anything nor do I get paid for repairing machines, so I have no personal interest in this subject other than wanting you to get as much life out of that machine and to make the best espresso you possibly can.
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Posted by Randy G. on 2008-06-10 15:22:05 Post Subject: Re: Backflushing Silvia
No, no backflush. ... The guy that sold me my machine says "NEVER BACKFLUSH." Since he services the things I pay a little more attention to the sellers instructions.
IMO- any "expert" that tells you not to backflush a machine with a 3-way valve:
- doesn't trust their customers and doesn't want to deal with warranty problems from people who damage their machine by leaving it running with a blind filter for ten or fifteen minutes at a time
- or -
- doesn't have a clue as to how an espresso machine works.
- or -
- doesn't know what they are talking about, and only are experts because they tell you they are experts.
have the guy read this:
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/3way/intro.html
and then feel free to have him contact me. I would be glad to discuss any part of it that he might find inaccurate. That article was reviewed by one of the most respected and knowledgeable espresso machine repair persons in the world and approved as accurate.
If he can't be bothered to read it, read the following to him over the phone angd get his comments:
Form the above linked article:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't the machine be damaged by backflushing?
As you have learned from this series of images, backflushing does basically the same thing as when you choke the machine with too fine of a grind, and it is basically the same as when you turn on the hot water switch, causing the pump to operate before you open the hot water valve. In either of those cases, the overpressure relief valve opens and allows the excess pressure to be relieved back into the water reservoir, protecting the pump and other components from damage.
If you use a bit of common sense, backflushing is no more damaging to your machine than choking it. Quite the opposite can be said to be true, because when the machine is choked, the home barrista will often allow it to run in that states for ten or fifteen seconds waiting for something to drip forth from the portafilter. When backflushing, the pump needs not labor for more than one or two seconds before being switched off to allow the 3-way to open.
If the machine is damaged from over pressure when backflushing then it was about to fail anyway. If a boiler seal is blown when backflushing it was about to go and would have failed from the next choked shot if not before. If a pump fails from proper backflushing it was just about to fail anyway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Among people who really know espresso machines there is NO divergent opinions about backflushing.
here is another point of view- a person who makes money repairing machines tells you to not backflush ever. After two or three years the machine becomes clogged and the 3-way valve stops operating. The machine, now out of warranty, needs to be repaired. Who benefits now? The guy charging you to clean a machine that he told you not to keep clean nor properly maintained.
There are lots of opinions about backflushing. I do not mean to sound pissy, but at least I back my opinions up with facts and scientific evidence.
I also do not sell anything nor do I get paid for repairing machines, so I have no personal interest in this subject other than wanting you to get as much life out of that machine and to make the best espresso you possibly can.
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View entire thread: New Restaurant Opening Soon is Serving Espresso - Need Help!
Posted by espressomaniac on 2004-11-24 05:36:26 Post Subject: You Repair???
I gotta admire you, you are one of the few buyers that actually want to remain hands on, even to the point of doing repairs, this shows true dedication as well as I'm sure, saving alot on the maintenance bills. When I did espresso machine repair full time in Seattle, the bulk of the repairs were done well past the time when they should have been. The end result ends up costing even more money because it's a dominoe effect going on, and by the time the machine crosses its arms and sais I'm on vacation until you get someone down here to fix it, then you are too late, and much of the time are aging the entire machine prematurely.
Who are you getting your parts from? What is the most extensive repair you have done?
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Posted by espressomaniac on 2004-11-24 05:36:26 Post Subject: You Repair???
I gotta admire you, you are one of the few buyers that actually want to remain hands on, even to the point of doing repairs, this shows true dedication as well as I'm sure, saving alot on the maintenance bills. When I did espresso machine repair full time in Seattle, the bulk of the repairs were done well past the time when they should have been. The end result ends up costing even more money because it's a dominoe effect going on, and by the time the machine crosses its arms and sais I'm on vacation until you get someone down here to fix it, then you are too late, and much of the time are aging the entire machine prematurely.
Who are you getting your parts from? What is the most extensive repair you have done?
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