If you replace regularly, you're right that it will come out easily. If it's so old that it's leaking (as the original post here) then it's probably rock hard and won't be easy. Destroying the screen is not an issue because you should be replacing it anyway. Here again, there's an old thread I started called "Cleaning Frenzy", and it has lots of useful info from many members, including a couple of techniques for removing the screen with minimal damage. In that thread, I referenced some pictures on Photobucket, and the last of these is a screen that I had in service for something like one year, with regular backflushing with hot water and Cafiza. I had soaked that screen in Cafiza for an hour and scrubbed it for a long time. It was spotless inside and out, i.e. no visible coffee residue at all. I then destroyed the screen by pulling the screen from its housing. The results speak for themselves. For the price of half a pound of beans, you can have your machine fresh as new every six months. Do you clean your portafilter/grinder/group/etc. to remove stale coffee oils? Why would you then leave nasty six-month-old residue directly in the path of your brewing water in order to save $7.50? It's one of those things that doesn't make sense.
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh280/bmacpiper/Brewtus%20cleaning%20frenzy/ So, again, I would consider treating the screen as the disposable item that it is, and enjoy the results! I go about six months between screens. I have found that replacing the group gasket annually ($6.95) is sufficient to keep it pliable and also easy to remove/replace. While I can get more time out of a gasket, it's not worth it for me. Your mileage may vary, as always! best, bmc On Mar 15, 2011, at 5:57 PM, TWG wrote: > I haven't had a problem prying out the screen and gasket with a stubby > flathead screwdriver. The screen gets a bit scratched sometimes but > I've yet to destroy one. > > On Mar 15, 8:50 pm, Benjamin McCafferty <[email protected]> wrote: >> Same post mentioned below I describe the process. I'll try to find it in a >> second and link to it. Easiest way is to heat the machine, then pry firmly >> against the side of the screen housing (about halfway up, denting/destroying >> the screen) and it will take the gasket out with it. Replace both. >> >> bmc >> >> On Mar 15, 2011, at 5:42 PM, hauschildt wrote: >> >> >> >>> jumping in here with a question -- how do you remove that screen? >>> there's no screw or anything... >> >>> On Mar 14, 7:39 pm, dustin <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> If you pull out the screen that sits above the portafilter there is a >>>> seal there (large black plastic ring) It wears about every year or two >>>> for me after which water leaks from the group head. Just replacing >>>> this seal usually does the trick. You can order it from WLL. It's a >>>> common issue and they will know what you're asking for. Have you >>>> replaced this seal already? >> >>>> Best, >>>> Dustin >> >>>> On Mar 14, 9:25 am, David Jacobs <[email protected]> wrote:> It's been a >>>> few years with my Brewtus, and the leaking out of the brew >>>>> head is adversely affecting our coffee. I am thinking of just >>>>> disassembling the e61 and replacing the springs & seals that are worn. >>>>> Does that make sense to people? Am I missing something obvious? >> >>>>> Todd, Do you guys sell >>>>> this:http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=expobar? >> >>>>> -- >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> (646) 244 9910begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (646) 244 9910 >>>>> end_of_the_skype_highlightinghttp://hello.typepad.com >> >>> -- >>> 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 >>> athttp://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en.- Hide quoted text - >> >> - Show quoted text - > > -- > 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. > -- 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.
