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  • Espresso Machine without Rubber or Plastic Parts

    Espresso Machine without Rubber or Plastic Parts

    We received the following inquiry today:

    Dear 1st line team,

    I am reaching out to inquire about espresso machines available in your inventory or within your expertise that are designed to avoid the use of plastic components in their internal mechanisms, particularly those that come into contact with heated water or coffee.

    As a consumer, I am keen on ensuring that the beverages I prepare do not come into contact with heated plastic due to health and taste considerations. Therefore, I am looking for machines that exclusively use stainless steel, brass, or other non-plastic materials for components such as boilers, water lines, and brewing chambers.

    If you have any models that meet these criteria or could recommend brands known for such designs, I would greatly appreciate your guidance. Additionally, if there are technical specifications or certifications that I should look for to confirm this aspect, I would welcome your insights.

    Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response.

    We understand the desire to not have any plastic or rubber inside an espresso machine, BUT EVERY espresso machine has to have some plastic or rubber inside. This includes rubber o-rings found in vibration and rotary vane pumps, rubber or viton seals to prevent leaks of steam or hot water in boiler fittings, rubber o-rings and possibly rubber nucleus including manual and/or solenoid valves, and gaskets in the grouphead, such as the portafilter gaskets and rubber o-rings inside an E61 grouphead. Then, let us not forget the poly tubes in no-burn steam and hot water wands.

     

     

  • Lelit Bianca Knobs Falling Off Steam and Hot Water Valve

    Lelit Bianca Knobs Falling Off Steam and Hot Water Valve

    Some time in 2022 or 2023, we had some customers who had their wooden knobs sliding off the steam valve on the Lelit Bianca. A customer who just bought a Lelit Bianca from us on December 21, 2024, reported to us on December 24, 2024 that his steam knob slid off and the knob was not turning the steam valve on or off when turning the knob. This can also happen on the knob of the hot water valve.

    If you notice, the pin has come out slightly and the black glue is exposed on the threads.

    Steam Valve and Knob on Lelit Bianca

    The remaining glue needs to be removed from the brass threads as well as the knob – inside and outside surface area without making the opening wider. We suggest using Loctite 510 red sealant to place at the entrance of the opening on the back end of the knob and on the threads of the valve at the point where the knob enters and seats into the threads of the valve. Allow to sit and dry for 24 hours. The pin can be pushed back in with a tap from a very small wrench.

    Do not allow the Loctite 510 anywhere near the holding nut or stem of the valve. After this, hopefully espresso by Lelit can be enjoyed!
    Knob removed from Steam Valve on Lelit Bianca

  • Lever on Elektra a Leva Moving Erratic

    Lever on Elektra a Leva Moving Erratic

    When the lever moves erratic or does not return to the top position, an underlying problem may need to be resolved.

    First, it can be the coffee grind. Second, a few scenarios where this could happen:

    a) There is calcium build up inside the group-head that is hitting the gaskets. Yes, limescale from calcium can build up in as little 2 weeks of use. Try running a descaling solution through the group-head, BUT be very careful to not allow it to touch the finish as it will strip off the clear-coat on the outside, and/or

    b) The grease on the shaft wore away. Use a food grade high temp grease and lubricate the shaft from the top and work down, and/or

    c) the rolling pins need to be lubricated with the same grease in b).

    If the problem persists, then the top of the group-head needs to be removed by removing the Allen keys. A physical inspect needs to take place on the smoothness of the inside of the group-head as well as the gaskets. The shaft and gaskets will need to be lubricated. If the gaskets are too dry, then the water may be too pure, opposite of calcium build up.

  • My ECM Espresso Machine Does Not Heat

    My ECM Espresso Machine Does Not Heat

    There can be many faults on an ECM Manufacture espresso machines do not heat. One of the common points of failure is the SSR relay. As indicated,

    This part is suspect to surges in the electrical line or even just failing. If you notice the connection at the orange wire, it is a different color and this indicates a surge hit the connection. The way to check for this parts failure is to power up up the machine and see if the red light turns on the SSR’s front panel (where the green arrow is located). If it does not, then the SSR is faulty.

    1st-line Equipment accepts no responsibility for any damages or personal injuries is a user decides to remove the body panel and check for this fault.

    ECM Espresso Machine Does Not Heat

  • Trade-In Program & Recycling

    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.

     

  • Newsletter from Bezzera Italy

    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.

    Picture of Bezzera Grouphead with new Bezzera logo on gauges

    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 ECM Manufacture Sign

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

     

    ECM Sign Picture

  • Elektra Verve: Alternating Green/Red Lights

    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:

    Photo of App Screen for Grouphead Cleaning

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

    Photo of App Screen for Water Softener Reset

     

  • Elektra Verve: Steam Boiler Pressure Adjustment

    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.

    Pressurstat on Elektra Verve Espresso Machine

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