plugging espresso machine into timer?

[floydpink]

Has anyone done this?

Reason I ask is because my soon to be new machine supposedly likes a 20 minute warmup and they say to NOT pay atention to the "ready to brew" light or you won't like the results.

The main reason I want this is for early mornings when waking up 20 minutes early would not be my favorite thing to do.

I am thinking of a heavy duty 3 prong timer able to handle the 1400 watts.

Anything to cause concern?

Thanks as always for the great insight.

[Mister Moo]

Gee... I never thought about that. You know, 'cause an Oscar goes from cold to brew-ready in six-minutes. Hey! I have an idea! Really. Ask Germ'rob. Use the 20-minutes of early get-up time to polish the chrome in the morning while it warms up with agonizing slowness. Hope that helps.

(Just leave it on. That 1400W element isn't burning all the time. What's another $0.10/kilowatt hour for a guy with a 20kg espresso machine anyhow?)

[novasurf]

(Just leave it on. That 1400W element isn't burning all the time. What's another $0.10/kilowatt hour for a guy with a 20kg espresso machine anyhow?)Agreed. But the timer is a great idea.

[floydpink]

I bought this 20kg machine to stop all the heckling I recieved from owning a Gaggia that heats up in less than 5 minutes. How much is a kilogram anyway? Like 2 lbs right?

I'll keep a good amount of Pig Snot Harley chrome polish on the Brasilia and it should be fine.

[floydpink]

Agreed. But the timer is a great idea.

Hey Norm,

Since you're chiming in here, what's your thoughts on the beans they include with the machine? Not worth feeding a fancy chrome machine, right????

[Mister Moo]

Norman agrees with anything that speeds up the need for coffee.

I was surprised to find this 15A-rated timer for under $20; that (barely) covers your 1400W assuming your line voltage isn't dumping in the morning. High rated timers used to be rawther pricey - you may want a timer rated for more than 15A for daily use under a large load - talk to an electron genius on this if you are not one yourself.

[novasurf]

Since you're chiming in here, what's your thoughts on the beans they include with the machine? Not worth feeding a fancy chrome machine, right????Good for practice. LOL at Moo.

[Resipsa]

My Anita takes even longer to come up to temp, generally I turn it on at night when I get home from work and pull a few shots at dinner, then make my drinks in the morning and turn it off on my way out.

Don't know if this is driving me to the poorhouse with energy use, but just never bothered to buy a timer.;)

[floydpink]

Thanks guys. It's not the power bill I was worried about, more worried about burning out the machine or causing unnecessary wear.

[aich75013]

Just curious, does it have a power button?
Most appliances are off when you plug them in.
So, even though the timer turns on at a certain time, you would still need to turn it on.

[floydpink]

Just curious, does it have a power button?
Most appliances are off when you plug them in.
So, even though the timer turns on at a certain time, you would still need to turn it on.

The machine does indeed have a power button.

The timer would work like the lights in your house on a timer when you go on vacation; they are switched on, but the timer switches them off, then on again at the preset times to give the impression someone is home.

In the case of the espresso machine, I would turn it on before bed, but the timer wouldn't actually let the machine turn on until 6:00 am, or whatever time the operator decided.

Does this make sense?

[aich75013]

The machine does indeed have a power button.

The timer would work like the lights in your house on a timer when you go on vacation; they are switched on, but the timer switches them off, then on again at the preset times to give the impression someone is home.

In the case of the espresso machine, I would turn it on before bed, but the timer wouldn't actually let the machine turn on until 6:00 am, or whatever time the operator decided.

Does this make sense?

Yep, I understand how a timer works.
I guess it depends on how the power switch works. If it is a toggle switch, then yes, I can see how it would work. Because it would still be "on."
If it is a push button, then it may not work.
My computer, inkjet printer, and expresso machine all have push buttons where if the power goes out (say from a storm) then when the power comes back on, I have to turn them all back on by pushing the on button, even if they were on when the power went out.
My laser printer has a toggle switch, and it turns back on when the power comes back on.
I have no idea how yours works.
:gl

[germantown rob]

No problem putting it on a timer. The Oscar would still need the steam valve opened to release the false pressure setting and a couple more minutes to recover. There is a valve on many machines that prevents the false pressure so not sure if you have that or not but either way you can still use a timer.
Leaving it on is the best answer since it still takes awhile for all the parts to get up to full temp and a cup warmer is a bit useless if you turn it on and off all the time.

[aich75013]

Sounds like Rob knows what he's talking about, so I'm just gonna go and :lv

[floydpink]

Sounds like Rob knows what he's talking about, so I'm just gonna go and :lv

you sure? I gotta go check my printer's power switch now......

[floydpink]

No problem putting it on a timer. The Oscar would still need the steam valve opened to release the false pressure setting and a couple more minutes to recover. There is a valve on many machines that prevents the false pressure so not sure if you have that or not but either way you can still use a timer.
Leaving it on is the best answer since it still takes awhile for all the parts to get up to full temp and a cup warmer is a bit useless if you turn it on and off all the time.

So, Rob, I guess leaving the machine on all the time, except to clean or service it, is not at all harmful to the machine?

Thanks for that, I guess I'll skip the trip to Lowes.

[germantown rob]

So, Rob, I guess leaving the machine on all the time, except to clean or service it, is not at all harmful to the machine?

Thanks for that, I guess I'll skip the trip to Lowes.


I personally believe there is more stress on the system turning on and off all the time. I considered the timer for the summer time to cut down on the extra heat but no worries with a good machine either way.

I see your machine has the back pressure relief valve so you should have no need to open the steam valve to release the false pressure. I really want to add this, kind of silly the oscar doesn't have it since I believe it is only a $15 part. Really looks like a nice machine, enjoy the polishing :r.

[floydpink]

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

[Resipsa]

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

Dude, you worrying about small stuff, LOL. Anita is bigger, is heavier, takes longt to warm up, etc etc etc.

Nom of those mean squat compared to the joy of the shots it pulls
:tu

[germantown rob]

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

I already did, I bought the Oscar :banger. I'll get back to you on the polishing after a month or two.

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

The Oscar is 39lbs, no problem sliding it in and out from under the cabs to fill. You have to take the cup warming tray out to fill yours, huh? You could always put a 5 gal bottle in a cab above with a stop valve for filling the reservoir. If it is really hard to slide get some of those furniture glides at the hardware store.

[Bigwaved]

I get up, piss, go downstairs, turn on the machine, get the newspaper, read a few things, then start the espresso regime. It doesn't seem to be adding a lot of time to my morning.

[floydpink]

Actually the Brasilia has a hole in the cup warmer to fill the resevior so a funnel should work. Good idea on the furniture sliders.

Didn't realize the Anita was so big either....

As far as polishing goes, I'm not too worried. I have a chrome covered motorcycle and a quick wipe with windex without alcohol does the job with a polish every so often.

I love the way a shiny machine looks.

[Resipsa]

Actually the Brasilia has a hole in the cup warmer to fill the resevior so a funnel should work. Good idea on the furniture sliders.

Didn't realize the Anita was so big either....The Brasilla looks a lot like the Anita, but looks like it's only got one
gauge. If the cup warmer tray is anything like mine anhttp://tgpvideos.****access.com/galleries/shemalessurprise/70oilm/06.mpghttp://tgpvideos.****access.com/galleries/shemalessurprise/70oilm/06.mpgd I suspect it is because these e61 machines are more similar than different, it's slotted with one round hole on either side. AFAIK, those are finger holes to lift the tray out they're not meant to pour water through. You need to physically be able to see the reservoir to fill it unless your machine is different

[floydpink]

2 Guages on the Brasilia. I was reading on a Brasilia UK forum about people filling the resevoir through a hole in the cup warmer and recommending a funnel as it can make a mess without.

I'll know for sure in a few days.

The two machines do look a lot alike and I like the fact that neither has the plastic rocker switches.

Question; did you have to adjust the expansion valve for your brew pressure or was it set right?

[Resipsa]

2 Guages on the Brasilia. I was reading on a Brasilia UK forum about people filling the resevoir through a hole in the cup warmer and recommending a funnel as it can make a mess without.

I'll know for sure in a few days.

The two machines do look a lot alike and I like the fact that neither has the plastic rocker switches.

Question; did you have to adjust the expansion valve for your brew pressure or was it set right?It was set correctly for me, but, at least on the Anita it isn't that difficult to adjust, and it only takes a couple of minutes to take the shell off.

I went to the website and took a look at the pic of the top of the machine, and I can see what you're talking about with the hole in the cup warmer tray. I, personally, would remove the tray so that I can see the reservoir while I'm filling it. The inside of the machine is a whole lot of empty space, and if you miss with the water you'll be spilling water all inside where the wiring and electronics are.

[Mister Moo]

Gauges? We don't need no stinking gauges. How do you all find time to make coffee between polishing all that chrome and reading all those gauges? WTH? :rolleyes:

Yo Fl'ink - moving my machine around for filling is an issue for me, too. I never plumbed mine in. I got a $1.99 thin roll-up plastic "cutting board" at WallyWorld to place the machine on and scissors-trimmed it to size just matching the Oscar footprint. The rubber feet of the coffeemaker grab the plastic but the underside of sheet slides easily on countertops. It's invisible but it's like the machine is on wheels.

[floydpink]

Oh crap, that's right! I also have to figure out how to make coffee from this thing once it arrives.:D

I woulda plumbed mine in, but don't have that option, I think.....

[floydpink]

Fwiw, I asked WLL about leaving the machine pluggedin and they don't recommend it.
They say it reduces the life of the Patsy as well as the prongs and grouphead gasket.

Who knows how accurate that is...

[germantown rob]

Fwiw, I asked WLL about leaving the machine pluggedin and they don't recommend it.
They say it reduces the life of the Patsy as well as the prongs and grouphead gasket.

Who knows how accurate that is...

Well that is maintenance any how.

If you use a timer just have it click on with plenty of time to warm all the brass up. 1400 watts will do it in half an hour but if you compare the portafilter temp to that of when it has been on 45-60mins you'll pull better shots. You don't want anything to reduce the temp of the water. My Oscar says it is ready in 10-12min but the shots taste like crap and even though 30min is much better 45 is prime.

[floydpink]

I'm sure I'll figure out a system that works best and am thinking about just leaving it on at night then shutting it off all day when I am at work.

Just noticed a typo, I meant to say Pstat, NOT patsy.

I know that all the coffee shops and restaurants keep theirs on all day...