On 3/30/2011 3:19 PM, Benjamin McCafferty wrote:
Hello all, a few notes for the archives.
Just received the last part for my drip tray kit from WLL, and did the installation.
It is very painless, just add tall legs, drill a 1/4" hole in the drip tray,
and install the cup/drain hose in the hole in the chassis below the drip tray; route
the drain line into the sink. This kit lets runoff fall from the drip tray to a cup
below, and then runs from there into the rigid grey plastic drain hose. There is no
connection or seal between the drip tray and the cup, which makes it easy to still
remove the drip tray and clean it if you wish. The downside of this system is that
the hose is pretty rigid, and if it flexes such that part of the hose is higher than
the top of the cup, the hose backs up and runoff spills out of the cup onto the
countertop (it becomes a p-trap, in effect).
Source: Whole Latte Love, $20.23
I also had another kit laying around that I had never installed, so I thought I'd give it
a try. It uses a larger hole, maybe 5/8" or 3/4" (just used a stepped bit
until the screw fit through the hole), and has a fitting that screws together on either
side of this hole. The fitting has a 90-degree bend to a barb, which attaches to a
flexible silicon tubing. The fitting has a hole through the middle, so it creates a
positive seal/connection to the bottom of the drip tray. This avoids the p-trap syndrome
mentioned above, but also makes it a little harder to remove the drip tray--you either
have to disconnect the hose, or unthread it from the sink and bottom of the machine. You
could also just scrub the drip tray in place with a soapy sponge, and then run water from
the steam boiler to rinse. One note on installation--this kit relies on a compressed
o-ring for its watertight seal--when you install, using some good food grade grease (keg
lube, etc.) helps a lot. If you overtighten, you will compress the o-ring too much, and
it will squish out the side, causing a leak. Also, you have to be VERY careful not to
make the hole even a little bit too big, or the o-ring will slip into the hole and leak.
Get a friend to help who is experienced and preferably has a stepped drill bit. A hand
drill is easily capable of this hole, it's very thin stainless.
Source: Chris' Coffee, $36.95,
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/plumbing/vetranodrain
In my application, I just run the drip line into the sink, so easy cleaning of
the drip line that rests in the sink is also important. The WLL kit is like a
shop vac hose--corrugated on the outside and will hold a lot of sludge. The
Vetrano kit is smooth silicone, so it wins in this category.
In terms of being idiot-proof, the Vetrano wins for usage, because I can't
accidentally overflow it when the hose shifts higher on the counter. For idiot
proof installation, the WLL kit wins due to the o-ring piece mentioned above,
and the accurate hole drilling required. Both have the potential for an
occasional mess--high drain hose, or failed o-ring.
For ease of drip tray cleaning, the WLL kit wins.
For price, WLL wins, but both are reasonable.
For aesthetics and ease of routing the hose, the flexible and white/translucent
Vetrano wins.
As to function, it's a tie--both drain the runoff as fast as you can run it
through the machine, even when dumping the steam boiler to get rid of minerals,
etc.
I'm keeping the Vetrano installed, as it fits my application better. I can't
tell you how nice it is to have this kit installed--especially with a
plumbed-in machine. I no longer have to worry about the machine blowing a
gasket and draining water continuously into my house until I get home to
discover the mess. My recent steam wand issues are case in point--I would fill
the drip tray 1-2 times a day--really had to keep an eye on things!
best,
Ben
Ben, i am useing all aftermarket parts on my drain kit. i drilled a
3/8" hole in the tray, so it will drain quickly into the catch cup which
mine does not fit the contour of the drain pan bottom at all. it drains
out the same type of hose as yours, but my machine sits on 3 1/2" tall
legs. that makes it easier to get some grade on the drain line route.
maybe you could use pvc and glue some pipe and fittings together to
make a smoother run into the sink - just stick it onto the catch cup
outlet. - Dennis
ps- the only very slight backup i have ever had is when backflushing
and theres a bunch of foam from the detergent and it might backup two
droplets. run your backflush detergent thru the drain and also use
your steam boiler hot water to pour down the drain - those two things
should keep the drain line maintained.
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