De-pressurizing the Starbucks Barista

I video I created to show how easy it is to remove the pressurization spring and crema enhancer on the Starbucks Barista espresso machine. I also show how to put it back together again if you want to.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• espresso
• starbucks
• barista
• saeco
• via
• venezia

[bbeasto]

Thanks so much! Other instruction involve drilling the bottom or destroying the false floor but this took five minutes and it's really easy to put it back together. I'm wondering about grind, though: I have the same set up as you, except I use a Maestro, but I can only get about 15 sec for 2oz. Did you calibrate the grinder for a finer grind? I followed the steps but it mine makes a high pitched whine on the low settings - I think the burrs are touching, but I'd like it be finer. Any ideas?

[plettsam]

@bbeasto I get a longer pour when I use really fresh beans. Older beans do not give good shot times, as you have noted. I wish I had a better grinder :( My grinder makes the same noises. I have my maestro set to "0"

[supaflyindo]

So what should we take out to make it unpressurized??? Kinda confused but thanks for the walkthrough!!

[plettsam]

@supaflyindo in the video I disassemble it and then reassemble it. To depressurize it remove all the moving plastic parts and springs from the bottom and pop out the plastic disk (the one that feel on the ground)

[supaflyindo]

@plettsam cool thx man!! btw, do you feel there is a big difference on the quality of the coffee as people say?

[plettsam]

@supaflyindo It is much less forgiving of bad grind or stale beans. With fresh beans, a good grinder (something at least as good as the baratza virtuoso preciso) and a good tamper you will be much farther ahead. My good shots are much better than with pressurized portafilter, but my bad shots are much worse

[plettsam]

@IronmanFinisher3 that is a very good tip!

[IronmanFinisher3]

FYI, I just went to home depot and purchased size 10 lock washers and use them in place of the round insert washers and now the pf doesn't wiggle around at all. Cheap and easy!

[plettsam]

that is the "crema enhancer" but it also helps to pressurize the portafilter. you should remove it also

[IronmanFinisher3]

No, I mean the plastic insert that you push out with the screwdriver. What role does that play?