At Espresso Resto "Restored is the new New". We believe in keeping beautiful espresso machines going. We sell these classic machines to their new owners as our bit for a more circular economy.
Great video mate… thanks. Hey I’m thinking of buying one of these machines but can’t justify the additional $600 they ask for the model that includes the OPV. You mentioned a kit that was available to install yourself. Can you help out with the link or details of the valve and fittings to do myself. I have repaired several coffee machines in the past so think I can do the job myself. Many thanks mate 🙏
Hi Nam, a lot of parts are interchangeable but there are definitely unique parts. Best to find and explosion diagram and see if you can identify common part numbers. Good luck
Thanks for the vid dude. Would it be possible for you to make a video on how to descale the Oscar 2 and how to drain the boiler properly? Would be amazing since this machine is difficult to descale.
You are right descaling them is quite involved. I dont have the machine so a video is out. If I recall the process: there is a hex plug located low on the boiler. Drain boiler. Then refill the boiler manually with a descaling solution ( the same qty you drained out). The replace the plug. heat up machine and then let it sit for a few hours. Then turn off machine. once cooled it will be safe the remove plug and drain out descaler. The rinse out the boiler (pour water in, swill around, empty). Finally, refill boiler with fresh "soft" water. Good luck.
Would you say that an old restored machine like this would be superior to something like a Gaggia Classic Pro or Rancilio Silvia? I have an option to purchase a ~12 year old TEA to upgrade from a Breville Barista Express and wanted to know your opinion!
@@espressorestomelbourne1735 Richmond VA 🇺🇸, i found that it's called steam group. But i can't find anything form the machine. I was thinking to just adapt the steam valve from Another machine. The only thing is i don know what that switch does. The one that moves with the valve. 😅
I have one of these machines and I'm planning on doing a similar upgrade in preparation for the Gaggiuino mod :) Im curious how you managed the OPV here? I have a similar looking T-fitting coming off the pump, and a parts diagram for the espresso calls this an OPV, but I'm not sure how to adjust it? Also, thanks for the vid!
In the market to purchase one but I've noticed the kitchenaid badges differ.. What are the differences between the Artisan version and the, maybe I'd say, the classic version?. Thanks in advance..
There are 2 models as far as I know. The Artisan is the 1st version and has a black drip tray. Then there was the Proline and it has the same colour drip tray as body. There are also some other changes in proline, like a cheaper plastic OPV and auto off after a certain time
Isn't it weird that it has no hot water valve? Once you put water in the boiler for steam, it just sits there with no where to exit, except the TINY bit from the steam wand. Once you've owned the machine for 10 years, you'll be steaming milk with 10 year old water??
I'm currently doing the same on my gaggia coffee, because I thought it was a gaggia classic when I bought it. I know. Rookie mistake, but you've got to do the best of it. I've already sunk another hundred bucks into it for the grouphead and the solenoid valve. I'm also going to upgrade the steam wand, which is another 30 bugs and am going to turn it into a gagguino. I'm also thinking of removing the water funnel and water tank and getting a little hose that I can put into a water bottle, because that just seems way easier to clean. I don't shy away from the huge amount of work that would take, but it would annoy the shit out of me, if I had to remove the waste tube, before being able to remove the water tank. I'm just weird that way.
I rebuilt my tea just recently. Great little machine and I love the location and angle of the gauges. My only complaint is I have the older style steam taps. Any ideas on upgrading to taps with the ball joint?
I did this once but had a parts machine with the valves, wands and steam pipes. It would be pretty expensive to do this buying all the parts individually
There's one of these listed for $100 on my local Marketplace. Is it worth it as is without the tweaks or should I bypass living with it and go straight for the upgrages.
@espressorestomelbourne1735 I just got a Baratza Encore ESP which I know is economy in the world of grinders, but compared to what I had...it's AMAZING.
Does the steam wand handle multiple drinks well or is there a waiting time? Not using in a cafe but sometimes we do catering and have 5-10 drinks to make
Awesome video thank you! Just curious if you could replace the entire steam valve that came with the wand? (My steam valve is a bit leaky so that would kill two birds with one stone…) Also, can you do a video for a pump replacement on this machine?!?!?
For anyone stateside struggling to find the fitting, check grainger Item 60XJ60 Mfr. Model 0168 17 13 Just ordered today, only about 6 bucks, ship to store next day, so no shipping if you have a grainger store local.
No crema is usually old beans. The crema is mainly gases coming out of fresh coffee. Extraction from you machine can be validated by weight extracted in a set time. Eg 18g of coffee resulting in 30g espresso shot in 30sec extraction. If you get more than 30g in 30sec then the grind is too corse, if you get less than 30g them it might be too fine. Good luck
Thanks for the video! Would you mind sharing the link of the steam wand you purchased, or do you have any other recommandations with what is available today that would fit with this machine? I have the same one and would like to upgrade the steam wand too! Thanks a lot!
You fit it the same way you would a classic. With the older steam wands that have the flange and o ring on them for the panarello, you need to cut this off to get the nut off that secured it to the copper pipe. Once you have the nut then you get the Silvia wand, remove its tip (9mm spanner) then slide off the rubber and its original nut, before sliding on the Gaggia nut and then replacing rubber and tip. Then you can just screw nut into copper pipe. The only other thing you might want to do is push it upwards so copper pipe bends a little and the top of the wand goes up into the machine. You do this to gain clearance for the water tank to be able to slide out. If you don’t the water tank is almost unable to get out.
@@espressorestomelbourne1735I did this and cannot get the original nut from the gaggia onto the rancilio steam wand, it does not make it past the bends in the wand.
@@colinholmes515 you need to destroy the old wand to get that nut sometimes. Hammer the bends so the are not a tight and the the nut can pass along and come off
@@colinholmes515 undo tip on Rancilio wand, slide off the black rubber piece and the original Rancilio nut and washer, put the Gaggia nut on and the replace rubber and finally tip
This model comes with a single pipe from steam valve to tip. It is a standard wand. If yours is the one that can swivel, then you could add a Rancilio V1 wand
Would you recommend any upgrades to the portfilter and basket? I got this machine second hand and it only comes with a tiny basket and the pinhole attachment which I’m not sure I have to use? Thanks
Hi Alexander, definitely get yourself a normal 14g 58mm unpressurised/single wall basket. You will need a decent burr grinder though too once you start using single wall baskets
I currently have an isomac alba that I am currently doing a restoration on which also had a crack in the boiler requiring replacement. Do you think it might be a design flaw or just coincidence? There is sadly very little information on isomac machines on coffee forums as such it's hard to get info on them.
I have this machine with the stock steam wand. For some reason, it shoots water out of the wand when I go to brew an espresso. Any idea what could be causing this? Kitchenaid unfortunately no longer makes this machine so their offer against the warranty was replacing it with a much cheaper semi-automatic machine 😔
@@espressorestomelbourne1735 Thanks for the response, looks like you are correct. I took the cover off to inspect it and the housing where the wand is was full of water and what looks like some mold. It must have been doing this from the factory because I've had this problem from day one. Condensation also gets into my temperature gauges as well. Do you know if it is very difficult to change the valve or what type of part I should look for? Thanks so much!
@@espressorestomelbourne1735 the thermostat seems to be working fine and the machine heats up really hot. It's just weird that the steam is so cool, like I can put my hand in it. It is sort of hot closer to the nozzle though.
@@julianbirke if you are getting steam and not a stream of water then the boiler is doing its job. The steam on theses I would say is about the same as a Gaggia Classic and not as strong as a Rancilio Silvia
Mate thanks for this, I just picked up a used Oscar II because I killed my faithful OG Oscar. I picked up that same valve from Jetblack, got the silicon tube from Clark Rubber and the rest of the bits from Funnings incl a $20 gauge from the toolshop. The one part I didn't get was the 1/8 F-F, but did the mod tonight and found that the nipple on the Oscar is actually a F thread so I just wound that onto the bottom of the valve without needing the coupler. All tested, set to about 10 Bar and happy days!
I have a similar machine and I wanted to know what happens if the brass valve near the pump is around 2 rounds screwed. I couldn't put the original settings because the screw was damaged. Do you know if any similar replacement exist?
there are a number of options. there are lots of pump mounted safety valves: www.theespressoshop.co.uk/en/au/Ulka-Non-Return-Bypass-Fitting-S2---10621005/m-3533.aspx?PartnerID=22&Australia&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm66pBhDQARIsALIR2zAiZ1rAOsT8Sd6nErRJ1g5K0eR8iWwPGeO7d8YaG0irdRsM54GB-IoaAlggEALw_wcB
Thanks great video ihave the same model but it has aproblem in the pump but idont no how its looks like some told me its 64wat pump if you had apicture for it i will be so greatfull
I have the retro model. But it has 3 buttons and looks like the same case. Does that mean it has a 3 way. We acquired one that doesn't flow water out the group, much or none at all. Previous owner didn't use it in the past 10 years. I plan to descale but if the group doesn't flow, i bet this wont help much? Thanks for the upgrade info, i'll tear mine down and see if it has it. Cheers Love me some coffee coffee coffee. I just roasted some timor leste organic. Espresso of this coffee is the best I've had in a while. I use a silvia and sette.
Not sure it came with a 3 way with the three buttons. The 3rd button switches the steam. In the 2 button version, turning the steam knob switches the steam on.
Get the shroud off and the group seal out. Give it a clean and check how flexible it still is if it is hard it will need replaced. Take measurement of the inside and outside diameters as well as the thickness and search with those in mind. I am sure there are compatible ones available still. Off the top of my head I can't recall.
@@espressorestomelbourne1735 thanks for the response. I got the gasket out, it was tough because it was cemented to the machine. I had to screw the brew chamber apart to get it out. As you can guess it was rock solid. I can't find anything with the same dimension, but i found someone on a forum who had the same issue, apparently it's possible to buy a starbucks barista gasket and carve out some material to make it work with this machine. So I've ordered that gasket now from amazon for around €10 and will try to customize it.
@@ansbjer Awsome! Have you looked for an Isomac Giada, I think this might use the same seal. If that doesn't work, take the old one to a company that makes o-rings and seals, they will be able to cut something out for you.
@@espressorestomelbourne1735 thanks, the dimensions of giada seems to be very close to my machine. I'm impressed and thankful that you found it, i spent hours and didn't find anything. I've ordered that seal as well now, and will try it out.
The Isomac giada gasket worked! It's a little too thin so i have to screw the portafilter a little bit more, but it makes a seal! First espresso shot pulled today, cant wait to learn more about making good espresso. Also, i tried modifying the barista gasket, but I didn't get it to work. I believe it's possible though.
