Author: 1st-line

Potential customers ask if 1st-line Equipment has a trade-in program. We normally do not allow trade-ins for the following reasons, in no particular order:

• Shipping costs will be high for the machine to be shipped to us.
• There is potential for damages in transport to us.
• New buyers will always have questions about the history, which 1st-line Equipment may not know.
• New buyers want a bargain and hence we would offer less than market value.
• New buyers want a warranty even on older equipment which puts more risk on 1st-line Equipment.
• In most cases, the return packaging may not be suitable for re-shipping and we would have to sell locally.

We suggest that customers sell the machine themselves locally (not shipped) through either local online classifieds or a marketplace, such as Facebook. This may take longer, but there is less work and risk than shipping the machine. There are also risks in meeting in person, and we strongly suggest meeting at a local police station for high value items and let the police station know in advance you are meeting in their lobby. 1st-line Equipment is not responsible for any damages or personal injuries from you selling locally.

Now, the good news! 1st-line Equipment, LLC will recycle older espresso machines with metal frames and metal bodies. The technicians will disassemble machines and sort the metals for the local recycle center. This reduces the amount of waste going into the landfills.

 

Please note that we may have some remaining stock that does not show the Bezzera logo and most pictures on our web site will not show the logo on the gauge.

This is word for word of their email newsletter dated November 13, 2024.

We kindly inform you about a recent intervention that has taken place regarding the standardization of pressure gauges for both professional and semi-professional machines. Starting from this summer, all pressure gauges have been updated to ensure consistency and accuracy across our range of products.  We regret to inform you that we are unable to provide you with the exact serial number of the machines from which the change was made, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

As part of this standardization process, all pressure gauges have been personalized with the updated BEZZERA logo. This not only adds a professional touch to our machines but also helps in reinforcing our brand identity.

To provide you with a better understanding of the changes made, we have enclosed drawings of all the updated pressure gauges for your reference. We believe that these updates will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our machines but also contribute to a more cohesive and recognizable brand image in the market.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving you with our updated products.

If you require any further information or assistance regarding the pressure gauge updates or any other matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is here to support you and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Free sign. Must pick up at our Freehold, NJ location during business hours.

 

Sometimes, the Elektra Verve dual boiler will indicate an alternate blinking red and green light. This usually indicates there are two issues to resolve via the phone app. Turn the key into the key-lock on the front of machine, connect to the machine via your mobile phone WiFi and a screen will pop up. Scroll the screen to the left until you see the symbols below and follow the instructions.

First, the grouphead cleaning needs to be reset after backflushing:

Second, the water softener needs to be recharged (weekly up to 6 months is recommended by 1st-line) and/or replaced (every 6 months)

 

The steam boiler on the Elektra Verve dual boiler espresso machine is controlled by a pressurstat as shown in the picture below. Currently, it is a MATER pressurstat, but it can be a different brand. With the machine powered off and unplugged from the electrical outlet, remove the top panel by removing 4 allen key screws – one on each corner.

The boiler pressure can be increased or decreased with 1/4 turn increments.

The boiler pressure should be checked on the front gauge after each 1/4 turn. On the pressurstat, it has minus and plus symbols. Turn the center screw gently in the clockwise direction for the plus symbol, and this increases the steam pressure. Turning the center screw in the counter clockwise direction will decrease the pressure.

If you have never adjusted this screw and pressure escapes via the safety valve, the pressurstat may be damaged by limescale and should be replaced after a full complete descaling has taken place. The reason is that adjusting the screw for lower pressure usually does not resolve the overheating issue.

Make sure to not get over 1.9 bar as the safety valve for the steam boiler will open and sound like locomotive to release the pressure. In addition, one can turn the screw too much which would damage the pressurstat and also void the warranty.

A common reason why an ECM espresso machine does not heat is the common failure of the thermostats, or safety thermostats. If one knows how to use a multimeter, please

 

a) unplug the espresso machine’s electrical cord from the electrical outlet, and

b) remove the water reservoir or shut off the water supply if plumbed in, and

c) Remove the top cover and look for one or more thermostats, including the safety thermostat pictured, and

d) one at a time, disconnect the 2 wires for the thermostat and check for continuity across the male posts. On the safety, please press in the black clicker before testing. Please connect the wires before testing the next thermostat, and

e) If there is no continuity, the thermostat usually needs replacement.

f) Disconnect the 2 wires to the heating element posts and test for an ohm reading of between 8 and 20. Outside of this range, the heating element may be defective and/or damaged.

Over time, one may notice the pump on an espresso machine change its sound or make weird noise or noises while pumping. This should be investigated before it can become worse, or even damage other parts, like the heating element in an espresso machine. On vibration pump espresso machines, the pump noise is always different (louder or rumbling) than when under high pressure espresso extracting. Espresso machines with rotary pumps, the pump sound should always be the same or similar. Things to check for on a traditional espresso machine with portafilters. The below may not apply on superautomatics as they have different systems internally.

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Is the noise only when
a) refilling the boiler – the vibation pump is usually the loudest, and/or
b) running water through the grouphead with coffee – the vibration pump will usually go to a hum noise. If it does not, the ground coffee may not be fine enough. You can check with using a blind filter if your machine is capable of using a blind to see if it goes to a hum. Also, the OPV may be leaking and its return hose should be inspected for discharge without coffee in the filter basket in the filter holder placed into the grouphead, and/or
c) without coffee – should sound similar to when refilling the boiler through the water wand

Is the espresso machine plumbed or used in tank/reservoir mode?

If plumbed in mode…
Is the water line valve turned on?
What is water line pressure – if under 35 or over 40 psi, the pump, respectively, may be gasping for water or have too much high pressure.
When was the inline filter/softener replaced – it may be clogged and needs replacement.

If tank mode,
Is there a softener attached to the hose in the tank?
Does the noise happen when the softener filter is removed from the hose. If no, the softener needs replacement and charging.
When was softener/filter last replaced or recharged – if not charged in past week or replaced within last 6 months, please recharge and replace and see if noise goes away.

Is there an osmotic pack for water treatment blocking the intake in the reservoir?

All espresso machines
When has the dispersion screen replaced? Please inspect the screen as it may be clogged.
If an E61 grouphead, check the gicleur for blockage in the top mushroom AFTER the unit has fully cooled and water supply shut off.

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Vibration Pump

 

 

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Rotary Vane Pump

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Being in this industry for over 25 years, we find many customers confuse back flush detergent and descaler.

Back flush detergent is also called back wash (backwash) detergent and should be used regularly on machines that are capable to be backflushed. We do have instructions that can be used as guidance, but the manufacturer of your espresso machine may have instructions which would overrule our guidance.

Backflush detergent is used to clean the coffee oils and particles and stains from the filter baskets, portafilters, and other parts. Backflushing detergent is primarily used for removing the coffee oils and super fine coffee particles from the insides of the dispersion screen, water pathways, and 3-way solenoid valve (or manual valve) on the group head. Examples of backflush detergents include Dusty Caff, Puly Detergent Bottle, Puly Detergent Box,  Cafiza packets, Cafiza bottle, Ascaso Back wash detergent bottle, and Ascaso Back Wash Box.

On the other hand, descalers or descaling solutions are primarily used to remove the mineral build that occurs inside an espresso machine. This includes pumps, boiler walls, heating elements, metal tubing, piping, and pathways within the grouphead. The descaling should not be performed unless there is usually an issue. Descalers can eat at metals and gaskets, which increases the wear and tear. We perfer to use Puly Descaler for the espresso machines we sell.

One detergent can not perform as the other, and neither should be mixed.