OT:Espresso Machines - Manual/Lever

[William]

For those of you that have purchased from Orphan Espresso, have you had any issues with communicating with them? I ordered a full o-ring rebuild kit for my Europiccola millenium from them. The kit showed up in a timely manner so no issue there. Upon changing them out the last one I went to install was for the shower screen, but I discovered that the new o-ring has a flat side and a rounded side, the old one was fully rounded. I attempted to put the new one in but it would not go in and stay in. I used the portafilter to seat it but no matter how many times I tried it would just fall out. I ended up putting the old one back in since that wasn't where I was having an issue, but I would still want to replace it. This machine has the Millenium sticker on the bottom and uses a 51mm portafilter basket so I'm sure I ordered the right kit.

I emailed them to describe the situation to see if they had any suggestions or to see if they possibly included the wrong shower screen o-ring in the kit. So far we are going on a week and a half with no response. They were able to process my order and get it sent out within a day so they are on top of that end of things. I tried resending an email yesterday so I'll wait a while and see but so far I'm not imressed with support side of things.








W.

[mwynne]

I have a memory rattling around my brain that for a few years the millennium models did use an o-ring that didn't have a flat side...

[William]

Originally Posted by mwynne

I have a memory rattling around my brain that for a few years the millennium models did use an o-ring that didn't have a flat side...

It would seem that I landed one of those. Works great though.






W.

[Cantdog]

I’ve never gotten a reply when I’ve tried to contact Orphan Espresso.

[William]

Originally Posted by Cantdog

I’ve never gotten a reply when I’ve tried to contact Orphan Espresso.

Well that's great, looks like I may be SOL. If that's the case it will be the first and last time I order anything from them.






W.

[flying]

Originally Posted by William

Well that's great, looks like I may be SOL. If that's the case it will be the first and last time I order anything from them.
W.

I have spoken with them before but it was thru using PM on a coffee forum.
I am pretty sure it was Home Barista

Just checked and they were active 50 minutes ago
https://www.home-barista.com/member/orphanespresso/

So they are there

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by William

Well that's great, looks like I may be SOL. If that's the case it will be the first and last time I order anything from them.






W.

Try Stefano's espresso care in Portland.

https://www.espressocare.com/

[William]

Originally Posted by flying

I have spoken with them before but it was thru using PM on a coffee forum.
I am pretty sure it was Home Barista

Just checked and they were active 50 minutes ago
https://www.home-barista.com/member/orphanespresso/

So they are there

Thanks for the heads up. If they won't respond to the email they tell you to use on their own website, yet may respond on a forum most customers probably don't know about, it doesn't inspire confidence in their business model.







W.

[William]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

Try Stefano's espresso care in Portland.

https://www.espressocare.com/

Thanks, this was my next action if I ultimately didn't get a response from Orphan Espresso.






W.

[flying]

Originally Posted by William

Thanks for the heads up. If they won't respond to the email they tell you to use on their own website, yet may respond on a forum most customers probably don't know about, it doesn't inspire confidence in their business model.

W.

True That

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by simplemind

Can you update your recent findings? I’m reading that too fine is a bad thing for the Robot. Mine should be here tomorrow, so I’m trying to get a head start!

Any update on your Robot's arrival?

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Any update on your Robot's arrival?

Well yes, it’s still in the birthing stage...not really out of diapers. So far I’m struggling with getting a good puck. Shots are short, low pressure build up, some tunneling, some bitterness, you know the drill. By the time my 10 sec pre-infusion is done, the arms are almost down. I have a lot to learn. WDT is next.

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by simplemind

Well yes, it’s still in the birthing stage...not really out of diapers. So far I’m struggling with getting a good puck. Shots are short, low pressure build up, some tunneling, some bitterness, you know the drill. By the time my 10 sec pre-infusion is done, the arms are almost down. I have a lot to learn. WDT is next.

Absolutely sounds like a grind issue rather than distribution. Remind me - which grinder are you using?

And what is your dose?

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Absolutely sounds like a grind issue rather than distribution. Remind me - which grinder are you using?

And what is your dose?

Baratza Forte’ BG, which has the steel burrs. Used for my pour-overs, but thought I could get away with it since many Robot users claim they don’t use a typical espresso (ex fine) grind. It’s well aligned, but it could be just the style of the burrs. I may just have to get an inexpensive manual grinder dedicated for espresso use.
What are you using?

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by simplemind

Baratza Forte’ BG, which has the steel burrs. Used for my pour-overs, but thought I could get away with it since many Robot users claim they don’t use a typical espresso (ex fine) grind. It’s well aligned, but it could be just the style of the burrs. I may just have to get an inexpensive manual grinder dedicated for espresso use.
What are you using?

Did you try going finer?