Espresso Machine Problem

[Hi Ho]

I have seen some espresso/coffee threads on here in the past so I figured maybe someone would have some knowledge on this subject.

I have had my Saeco Easy super automatic machine for about two and a half years and it has been trouble free until a couple weeks ago.

Problem: It grinds, tamps, and the pump makes noise like it's pumping water but no coffee comes out. The grounds go on to be dumped bone dry and instead of falling in the form of a neat puck into the dregs container, they go all over the place inside the machine. So, the water doesn't appear to be getting to the coffee. It also isn't spewing out into the machine or onto the floor. I know the pump works because I can get hot water and steam out of the wand. Any ideas?

There is something that I am quite embarrassed to admit. I have never descaled the machine. I have very soft tap water but I can't explain why I have never gotten around to descaling the machine but I haven't. I don't even know where to fine descaling solution. Could this be the problem?

 

[MinusTheBear]

I am not sure of your problem but we have to clean our coffee machine regularly (takes a long time to brew a pot of coffee). What we use is some vinegar diluted with water and run it through the coffee machine once and then run a rinse with just water. Seems to work great!

 

[adk highlander]

I cannot help with your problem but I thought I would post just for support. I have a Delonghi Magnifica and I don't know what I would do without my morning cappuccinos.

 

[Hi Ho]

I clean the brew group regularly as per the instructions. The manual specifically says never to use vinegar as a descaling solution.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am trying to think of something funny to say but I got nothing....

 

[Hi Ho]

I should add that this problem is not 100% of the time. It does output coffee once in a while. I just tried it again and it worked. It doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[jamie2112]

Throw it away and get another one.Your morning coffee is important.......

 

[jostenmeat]

I have seen some espresso/coffee threads on here in the past so I figured maybe someone would have some knowledge on this subject.

I have had my Saeco Easy super automatic machine for about two and a half years and it has been trouble free until a couple weeks ago.

Problem: It grinds, tamps, and the pump makes noise like it's pumping water but no coffee comes out. The grounds go on to be dumped bone dry and instead of falling in the form of a neat puck into the dregs container, they go all over the place inside the machine. So, the water doesn't appear to be getting to the coffee. It also isn't spewing out into the machine or onto the floor. I know the pump works because I can get hot water and steam out of the wand. Any ideas?

There is something that I am quite embarrassed to admit. I have never descaled the machine. I have very soft tap water but I can't explain why I have never gotten around to descaling the machine but I haven't. I don't even know where to fine descaling solution. Could this be the problem?

Hey HiHo, my machine is taken apart right now too, a Saeco. Blasted superautomatics. Been drinking french press for a little while now. I've also never descaled. I figure I would if the espresso wasn't ever flowing freely enough.

I'd try calling for support/tips. I called where I bought mine from, and we figured it's probably a grinder issue (it would grind, but nothing comes out at all, and I mean nothing). They emailed me an instruction list they had to clean the grinder out (figuring beans ain't falling thru). I did, still have issue. I have yet to call back, to see if I can get better advice.

Really though, I'm waiting to see when my engineer (super brains) is in town again, as he can fix anything. He's already fixed a different espresso machine, surfboard, anything.

I LOVED having a superautomatic, and so did anyone that was visiting. It's supplied a lot of coffee love, and after thousands of espressos, I guess the overall cost was still worth it. But, there seem to be too many things to go wrong, at least when buying the cheapest entry level, which is what I did. Sorry, I can't help much. Try calling, you never know if they might have the magic trick... or maybe a replacement part that's not expensive.

 

[Hi Ho]

I found some descaling solution at WalMart and gave it a shot. It seems to be working fine now! I had taken the back panel off and when I saw the crazy number of components that were jammed in there I decided I didn't want to screw anything up further. I must say that I am impressed with the reliability of this incredibly complex unit that cost me only $500 (cheap for a superauto). It has produced about 10 shots (not just for me ) of espresso every day for the past two and a half years and this was the first trouble I had; and it appears to be my fault for not maintaining it properly.

After running the descaling cycle twice it's like having a new machine again. The motor doesn't make the straining sound it was making and more water comes out at the same setting like it did when it was new. I made about 12 shots adjusting the grind and dose and it didn't exhibit the problem once. I had no idea that descaling was this important with the very soft tap water I have.

While I was at it I descaled my drip coffee maker and the amount of crap that came out of that thing makes me gag! The water looked like weak coffee with a bunch of crap floating around in it.

Descaling is going to be a regular routine for me from here on out.