Hey Pete, If your machine arrived really cold, the gasket is just hard and will soften at room temp and/or operating temp. Also, the gasket comes in various thicknesses, so you can always get a thinner one if you really need to. I use a Rancilio bottomless PF, and the 8.5mm thickness gasket works fine for that and the original Brewtus PF. Here is a place to get gaskets (good to replace once or twice a year anyway):
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/isomacparts/e61groupgasket You would order one of the first three in the drop-down list. I believe the original on the B2 was 9mm, because when I got the Rancilio, I could barely lock it into the group, and had to get a thinner one. As an aside, there is no "correct" position for your PF-- the basket is round, so it makes absolutely no difference where the handle is in that respect. Your primary concern is that the PF gets locked in securely, so that it doesn't come loose under pressure and shower you with near-boiling water/coffee. I have used machines that barely got to the 7 o'clock position, and were totally fine, but obviously getting towards 6 o'clock gives you better/full engagement of the ears on the PF into the group. Just don't yard on the PF handle--it is unnecessary. A good firm twist is plenty--if you're moving the machine, you're pulling too hard. Since we're talking about changing gaskets, I'll mention to you that changing your group screen once or twice a year is another easy and cheap way of keeping your shots top notch. This is a part that can't be cleaned effectively, and over time builds up crud. Search my previous post on this, and there are pictures in the gallery of a screen that I tore apart after significant cleaning, i.e. more than an hour soaking in Cafiza. The pictures speak for themselves. (The post is here, fourth one down with my name on it: http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus/browse_thread/thread/d1731f9f2ad64ac0/4989e48d94e67cdd?lnk=gst&q=bmacpiper+screen#4989e48d94e67cdd ) Screens here, use the first one in the drop-down list: http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/isomacparts/faemae61groupscreen best, Ben McCafferty Seattle, WA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en.
