That's the vacuum relief valve. It's normal for it to hiss and sputter
like that for a few seconds as the machine warms up.
It's also common, but not desirable, for it to hiss a little while the
machine is hot and running. This happens due to a little O-ring in there
wearing out. There was a discussion of them recently
(https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/brewtus/pCUoLoJszXg). I was
able to find a suitable replacement at my local Ace hardware. No
particularly advanced hardware skills required.
Bruce
On 9/22/14 2:56 PM, Jarad wrote:
Thank you Bruce for the suggestion! Whether it is the problem or not
I just ordered some Durgol descaler as I have never descaled this
machine. I have just been doing the backflush with the Cafiza
detergent though I have only ever used filtered water - I'm sure it is
due even with a low mineral content in the water.
Here is an update on the steam theory with two 30 second videos below
as well:
This weekend I took the shell off the machine (so easy I can't believe
I never did that before) and watched as the machine heated up. Of
note is the "one-way retention valve" on top of the boiler. As the
machine heats up the little knob on the top of that thing is depressed
and a little steam and water shoot out until it pops up to the top
(not sure if normal). Video of One-Way Valve Popping as Machine Heats
Up
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj8S6OJFen8&index=2&list=UUI46RvZv3BymEBBVGogFTpA>
While heating up after the valve pops up and at operating temperature,
I can hear periodic little hisses from that nob at the top of the
valve. I do not see any steam but the sound is coming from there
almost certainly. Steam Video After Machine is at Operating
Temperature
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK2HALetjcs&list=UUI46RvZv3BymEBBVGogFTpA>
Thank you for any additional insights into this valve - I see it can
be ordered on WWL as well as just the top part on Ebay if it needs to
be replaced. I'm just not sure what is normal and hopefully that
troll guy doesn't bother chiming in (who wastes their time trolling a
forum like this?) Thank you all very much again,
Jarad
On Saturday, September 20, 2014 5:18:55 PM UTC-6, Bruce Keeler wrote:
Ignore Dave, he's trolling. It's definitely not normal.
Another theory might be scale buildup, which would effectively
reduce the volume of the boiler. Maybe try descaling?
Bruce
On 9/19/14 8:39 AM, Jarad wrote:
Thank you for the responses Ira and Ken! I'm not sure if you are
saying this is normal Dave? The steam boiler is on as I do not
have the version where you can operate them independently.
However, during the summer I generally make iced coffee and did
not use the steam boiler at all here. I have the machine on a
timer in the morning so it has over an hour to heat-up before I
use it. so it should be plenty hot and the steam boiler should be
more than ready and holding temperature by then. So certainly an
interesting clue that the steam boiler light comes on. I wish I
had a switch to deactivate the steam boiler - maybe one could be
retrofitted - would save a lot of time and energy in the summer
though we are just about back to the hot coffee season anyway.
If there is a steam leak I wonder if I can 'see' where it is
leaking if I take the shell off the machine - I will try to do
that this weekend and see what it looks like in there. The steam
leak theory might also explain why it kind of bottoms out and
hangs out at 197/198 for awhile and then quickly climbs back to
202 once it gets going. Kind of like the initial heat-up phase
where the steam boiler is on for awhile then the brew boiler
takes over and climbs quickly until it cycles back to the steam
boiler. Let me know if anyone thinks of anything else to try -
appreciate the responses and ideas. Thank you very much,
Jarad
On Thursday, September 18, 2014 7:03:45 PM UTC-6, Ken wrote:
I wonder if you have a steam leak? See if your steam pressure
starts to drop quickly after you switch off the steam switch.
In the video I noticed the steam heater light was on while
you were pulling the shot. The PID can't send power to both
heating elements at the same time on 110 volts. But yea,
something is wrong. Mine never drops that fast. Not even
close. But I noticed as soon as the steam light went out the
temp started to recover.
Ken
On Thursday, September 18, 2014 12:24:17 PM UTC-5, Jarad wrote:
I have a Brewtus 3 (pump version) with PID that I bought
at the end of 2009 that I haven't had any problems with.
However the temperature has started dropping pretty
significantly while pulling shots. I have it set for 202
right now to compensate for the temperature drop but it
will fall from 202 to 198/197 over 20-30 seconds. I have
a 90 second video I took if anyone is interested in
seeing the temperature drop and recovery:
Brewtus Temperature Problem Video
<http://youtu.be/GIsq-oUT_2k>
Curious if any ideas or suggestions on what might be
happening here and what I might need to do to get it
repaired. It will hold 202 on the PID all day - it's
just when the shot is pulled that the temperature drops.
Thank you very much,
Jarad
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