If you are lucky enough to have an Italian coffee machine at your cafe, in your office coffee break room or perched on your counter at home, you know the difference it makes to create your espresso with a high-quality machine with excellent breeding. Whether you are driving a Biepi Sara, a Carimali, La San Marco or any of the other fine Italian coffee machines available at Segafredo Zanetti, you know the difference it can make to your day when you begin with a quality cup.
Like any other fine piece of machinery, your Italian coffee machine needs care and maintenance, and there may be times when your brew doesn’t flow the way it should. Here we have put together a few common troubleshooting tips to ensure that you have the knowledge required to deal with small issues on the spot.
Read on as we discuss what you can do to remedy a few things you may run across. Remember it’s essential to clean your Italian coffee machine regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and you should also book regular servicing by a professional technician – just as you would if you were driving a Ferrari or a Maserati!
Here are our tips:
1. Machine Won’t Power Up
When it’s time for coffee, and your machine simply won’t start, there are a couple of things to check right out of the gate. Sometimes the barista may knock the plug while performing a clean-up at the end of the day, so first, check the machine is properly plugged in. If that is not the case, unplug your machine and plug in another appliance – perhaps a lamp. That way, you can eliminate the socket itself as the issue. If you discover the socket is fine, follow the cord across the entire length and check for damage. As the cord ages it may become frayed, or if a heavy object has been inadvertently placed on the cord, it may have been cut.
If you find the cord is in good condition, check your manual. Some espresso machines have internal switches which can get damaged or stuck – if you don’t feel confident to do this safely, call your technician. Lastly, it may be that you have tripped a fuse, so check your fuse box.
2. Watery or Weak Pour
If you are used to a robust, silky pour, then a weak or watery shot just won’t cut the mustard. Your Italian coffee machine is designed to produce the finest espresso, so if you encounter this issue there are a few things you can do to try and remedy the situation. If you are using a high quality grinder like the La San Marco or Eureka, then you can easily check whether it is your grind that has been knocked off course. You may find that the grind first thing in the morning has picked up some humidity overnight, so if you can discard what may have been sitting and grind fresh beans as a first troubleshooting fix. It could be that the setting has been inadvertently changed while cleaning, so check that also.
If your pour is still weak or watery, check your water temperature, clean your machine and try again. If you are still not getting a great result, call your technician, as you may have a thermostat issue.
3. Low or No Steam Pressure
Delicious creamy milk is produced when the steamer wand on your machine is well taken care of. If you are trying to whip up a fabulous latte and the pressure is just not there, you can try a few common troubleshooting tips to get it back on track. Start by checking the pressure gauge on your machine; if the overall pressure is low, you may have a larger issue with a pump malfunction or a pressure valve failure. If the pressure seems fine at the source, first try to release steam without placing your milk jug under the wand. Be careful; direct this away from yourself. You may find that doing this a few times clears a small potential blockage.
If the steam is still not working well, carefully remove the head of the steamer and pop it into a cup of hot water to soak. Try releasing steam again without the head on to blow out any obstructions. Check the holes in the steamer head for built-up milk or grime, then pop it back on and try again. If you still have no pressure, you may need to have the boiler checked. Remember to follow instructions for frequent descaling; this stops the build-up of deposits that can cause clogging in your machine.
Choose an Exceptional Italian Coffee Machine from Sagafredo Zanetti
If you want exceptional coffee, you need an Italian coffee machine. At Segafredo Zanetti we supply a superb range of espresso machines alongside a carefully curated selection of grinders, coffee beans and tools for taking care of your setup. We also offer expert barista training and service support in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, so if your troubleshooting doesn’t take, you can always call our technician to help.
Browse our range now, or get in touch with our friendly team to discuss all your coffee needs.
