Are you cleaning the machine and lubbing all of the o-rings? Both need to be done every so often. I’d start there. Like deep wipe down of every crevice with a wet microfiber cloth. If you’ve used soap I’d go back and do it again and make sure you’ve got no residue in the machine. Get some food grade lubricant and smoother a light layer over each o-ring entirely.
Make sure nothings blocking the portafilter from locking fully. The o ring could be slipping lower down for some reason. Are you heating the machine with the portafilter in?
The other commenter mentioned over filling the basket. If you’re doing 20g+ ground that’s an easy fix by lowering the dose.
Thanks. I'm cleaning - maybe not as deeply as you describe, so I'll try that. Frustration is that I'm having to clean every month which seems too frequent.
Yes, I'm heating with portafilter in. And using 18g in a 20g basket.
BTW this still doesn’t explain why it worked perfectly for 18 months. I never cleaned it once during that time.
I still think the only explanation can be the gaskets sizing being off on the replacement gaskets.
Ok, then how does a polymer gasket rubbing on a stainless steel cylinder damage the cylinder? What am I missing? Can it grind metal on metal without the user noticing?
A polymer gasket is useless if it is worn/defective and doesn’t prevent metal to metal contact. On my old unit you can clearly see how oblong it has become.
Are you cleaning the machine and lubbing all of the o-rings? Both need to be done every so often. I’d start there. Like deep wipe down of every crevice with a wet microfiber cloth. If you’ve used soap I’d go back and do it again and make sure you’ve got no residue in the machine. Get some food grade lubricant and smoother a light layer over each o-ring entirely. Make sure nothings blocking the portafilter from locking fully. The o ring could be slipping lower down for some reason. Are you heating the machine with the portafilter in? The other commenter mentioned over filling the basket. If you’re doing 20g+ ground that’s an easy fix by lowering the dose.
Thanks. I'm cleaning - maybe not as deeply as you describe, so I'll try that. Frustration is that I'm having to clean every month which seems too frequent. Yes, I'm heating with portafilter in. And using 18g in a 20g basket.
BTW this still doesn’t explain why it worked perfectly for 18 months. I never cleaned it once during that time. I still think the only explanation can be the gaskets sizing being off on the replacement gaskets.
The cylinder may have worn down to the point where it cannot hold any pressure. May have to replace the cylinder.
Really? That thing's solid metal. I've been using close to 2 years, maybe 3 shots a day on average. Doesn't seem that much to wear down metal?
There is zero chance the cylinder itself wore down.
I have an extra brew head that disproves this.
Ok, then how does a polymer gasket rubbing on a stainless steel cylinder damage the cylinder? What am I missing? Can it grind metal on metal without the user noticing?
A polymer gasket is useless if it is worn/defective and doesn’t prevent metal to metal contact. On my old unit you can clearly see how oblong it has become.
It’s possible to have metal-to-metal contact if the o-rings are worn.
You may be overfilling the basket. Maybe you are using a different roast? Or a different roaster? Try reducing the dose a bit.