Those who have been here from the start (probably only me), may recall that my very first post was a small homage (French pronunciation please) to my coffee machine.
The machine has made the occasional appearance over the years; as has my need for coffee on a daily basis. Sadly, the recently reported coffee embargo was preceded by the demise of my beautiful machine. Nothing terminal, but it had been spurting water from various orifices (as you do) at an increasing rate over the past couple of months; and it got to the stage that it was emptying the contents of the boiler over the kitchen floor before I could extract a cup of coffee out of it. It was taken out of commission and we had to make daily excursions to coffee purveying establishments to feed my need.
I have had the machine for nearly ten years, and she who must be obeyed suggested it was time for a new one. A tempting idea, but the current machine cost me 28,000 baht ten years ago; and was bought at a time when I was earning big bucks in Bangkok and such a sum was affordable. Now I survive on a sterling based pension which is currently worth 7/10ths of fuck all, and I have therefore no interest in splashing out on a new coffee machine.
Anyway, Pavoni coffee machines are large lumps of metal held together by bolts and washers. Replace the washers and the machine should last longer than I will. So I ordered a spares pack from a very efficient outlet in Glasgow, and a package of parts arrived this morning. Spanners in hand, and hammer within reach, I set to work to strip down the machine.
From the instructions on the web, it all sounded reasonably straight forward; but when parts have been living in close proximity for ten years, and subject to daily deluges of boiling water, then they are rather reluctant to be parted. Still, after four or five hours of tinkering, I had the beast in bits.
Then I did a bit of polishing, replaced some of the gaskets, and fired off another order to Glasgow for all the additional bits that I will need beyond the basic repair kit. And I enjoyed every moment of it. There is a real joy in carefully dismantling a classic bit of machinery, cleaning it up, and starting to assemble it again. By late afternoon the machine was back together, apart from the parts that I still need; and I look forward completing the rebuild.
I am less excited about testing the seals under pressure; I am sure I have probably screwed something up and the result will be a boiling fountain of steam rather than a cappuccino. Then there will be a Pavoni for sale; recently serviced, one previous, recently scalded, owner. Get your offer in now.
Comments 🔗
2010-09-14| biggrtiggr saysSuggest you test it somewhere outside………
under sandbags!
Alternatively I, being a fully qualified installer/repairer of pressurised hot water thingys, would be delighted to fly 6000 miles and fix it for you. Call out charge would be moderate.
Anyway, what’s wrong with Gold Blend???
2010-09-14| Pete saysOh dear. An ex-accountant pretending to be an engineer. I fear the worst.
Do you have Sawang Boriboon on speed dial?
2010-09-14| Spike saysYou guys worry too much, it’s just boiling water under pressure; what could go wrong…?
2010-09-14| Calvin sayscould of been worse, i could of rebuilt it
2010-09-14| Spike saysMaybe this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11302161