How to Depressurize the De'Longhi EC-155 Filter Basket
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- Опубликовано: 24 апр 2014
- Hi there. Since the subject of depressurizing portafilters for many espresso machines is all over the internet with varying degrees of detail, I made a video showing how to do this in a non-destructive, reversible way for the De'Longhi EC-155. Enjoy.
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8 years later and this video just saved another DeLonghi machine from death ;-) The mechanism of the spring was blocked due to some coffee-leftovers. Freshly cleaned so now it works great.
I was getting crazy, as the coffee was not brewed from a filter, whereas it was from another. It took me one week of research, until I was your video. And... I realised that the pressuriser had some... limescale or coffee residue. So much so that was not moving the little thingy. Pressed manually, passed the knife just under the bumped piece to remove the scale and... boom. Solved! Thanks a lot. I saved €5.5 (which I don't care that much), but most importantly... I fixed it!
6 years later, this video saved me from spending money on a new filter. I had taken mine apart to clean it and found that the washer was already broken. Which explains why I saw & heard the small piston move up and down freely before I took it apart. It had already been depressurized since I started using it. I confirmed this by putting it back together without the spring/piston assembly and my shots came out just as nicely as they were before! Thanks much!!
Thank you. My spring valve was dirty and was preventing water flow. I pressed it a few times, which worked, but then decided to take it apart completely for cleaning. Put it back together quite easily. Now the valve moves better and the filter works as new.
After 8 years buddy u helped thanks a lot BTW I have a different filter basket with the a similar steps.
Thanks Daniel, you've just convinced me to buy an EC-155. I've heard about this conversion but without any idea how.
Thanks so much for sharing this, really happy I didn't have to break out my drill to try pressurized drip...
I didn't notice the plastic thingy had a spring. So anyone who is having a machine that acts like an old man who can't pee: that's probably the problem. I first cleaned everything but it helped nothing. Then watched this video, pushed the infamous spring a few times and all is well. Fixed in 1 minute!
Knowing about depressurising your basket may be a good thing, but knowing that spring can completely sabotage your machine is way more important.
So thank you for saving my machine. And my mornings
Scipio Africanus my machine is doing the same.! I'll try this maybe it woke
I had twice this problem: the first time I brought it to repair. This time I was lucky to find this video. Thank you, Daniel
@JustExtreme- yes, you need to adjust the grind after you do this. Probably to make it finer.
Great vid mate. Hope your marriage is still going strong lol
Thanks mate!! You saved a lot of money for people.
This was so helpful, thank you!!
Great video thanks! I'm gonna go ahead and buy a new non-pressurized basket. Do you know if i can also change the portafilter?
Hi in 2020 mi Delonghi stooped making coffee.. You saved the day... It was the little pin in the middle stuck!
8 yrs later...thanks so much. i like the pressurized filter ease...but i prefer the depressurized taste.
@Onder- You'll have to measure the inside diameter of your portafilter...I can't tell if it's the same or not. But, that La Pavoni link looks to be the same....it's the 51mm size.
This video changed my life
William Pichardo glad it helped you out.
JW if you thought about using a small, slim-walled socket to push the "little dohicky" back down onto the plunger?
My ec270 uses the same portafilters :) definitely makes tastier and more concentrated shots now although there is a distinct lack of crema which was plentiful pre-mod. Is that likely to be grind related?
I have two doubles and two singles so I think I might depressurize one of each. Luckily my partner doesn't even drink coffee anyway :)
Thanks, you saved my day.
thanks it was realy helpful :) my DeLonghi works like new now :)
Thank you for showing that by pushing on the pressurized bit can be moved. It was clogged in our machine.
Which la pavoni basket did you use? There seems to be two different ones.
Will a 51mm non pressurized basket fit?
Edit, nm!!
Thanks man, I see that you have the basket I do.
I have a generic one made for Breville /De'Longhi/ Lapavoni and had been using it in a Mr Coffee.
My 51mm tamper and real steam wand tip should fit the EC155, I'm buying one Tuesday... can't wait!
Your Video showed my why my portafilter is clogged, the spring was not moving, after few presses it came dislodged, problem solved. Thank you
Wonderful video, thanks so much for posting. However your wife is right about pre-ground espresso and pressurized portafilters. They make perfectly good coffee with much more certainty. Unpressurized, it's a lot of work and wasted coffee to have to dial in a different grind for every batch of coffee and if your tamp isn't perfect, you end up with channeling and watery shots, or over-tamped coffee that won't flow at all. I obsessed over espresso for many years and I've come full circle on pressurized portafilters.
I'm exactly the opposite. This video is old, but 8yrs ago I got a Bezzera BZ10 and haven't looked back. I enjoy the ritual of the prep and even my wife admits that my "big" machine makes better coffee. But, if you like what you are making, drink it and don't let anyone tell you it's bad.
I have a delonghi all in one / combo unit. Basket looks to be same. I just got 51m non p basket this week but too small, it loose in porta and sticks in group Head. So grabbed 54m basket and it doesn't fit porta. Wondering what basket you said worked for you ?
@FrankDurocher- Sorry, I assume that people can figure out what to put back together. Yes, you re-assemble the thing without the spring, peg, and washer. You will find some people advocate simply just removing the entire "black thing" that holds the pressurized bits. That would then leave only the rubber gasket and screen just "sitting" in the basket bottom. But, if you do that, the structural integrity of the assembly suffers, and you can actually pop the screen part out of the gasket while tamping. So, I advocate doing the way I showed so that you can have something that will hold up to the pressure of tamping without any issue at all.
Hello I just bought a used machine and noticed the tiny black ring is broken... so I will have to try it with out...
Why do you prefer it with out pressure? What is the difference?
@@calderonjd30 Professional machines do not have pressurized portafilters. They rely on the barrista properly grinding the coffee so that the pressure during brewing is correct. What this means to you is MUCH better tasting espresso. With a pressurized portafilter, the device lets you "cheat" and not have a good grind. The result LOOKS o.k. when it pours, but it will not taste nearly as good as a shot with a proper grind. If you don't have a good grinder (that can go fine enough), you may have a problem.
OMG thank you so much🌷♥️
These machines come with a single shot filter and double, I've depressurized one of the two and so I can have the option of pressurized if I want it, and all I have to do is reassemble, no putting the spring back in necessary then.
Thanks
Thanks for the vid. I got the same la pavonni bottomless filter, but flattening the flanged edges with a pair of pliers is extremely tough! (No good grip, metal barely deforms). How did you get the edges so nicely flattened?
I wore gloves and used a pair of pliers and just kept working it until it was flat. It took about 20 min.
I'd recommend a channel lock pliers with a 10 inch handle. That would give you enough leverage.
Can i use 51mm non pressurized filter without modification
Amazing! Thanks!:D
what size basket will fit in the handle?
Thank You.
People, you just need to remove the whole plastic assembly and the filter would not be pressurized. Adjust your grind and tamp until you get it the way you want it. Afterward you can put the plastic assembly back so the filter doesn't come flying out when you tap to remove coffee ground.
That was my first thought as I watched this video. My understanding was forcing the many holes through a single hole is the primary pressure point. So removing the plastic assembly allows those many holes to flow through. I will attempt this as I just bought a Baratza Encore and believe I ground the beans too fine for the standard pressured usage.
I'm confused why you removed the spring. Just leave all the plastic bits out entirely.
i am interested in how this all works. I have the ec155. in fact it is my second unit. My first lasted about 2.25 years before i had to retire that one and get a new one. I like it so much that i decided to get the same model. but i wish they lasted longer than a little more than two years. so please explain how depressurizing the basket will help with coffee flavor. I make a double shot latte every day. my favorite. but i like learning new stuff. So please explain how to get a better espresso with this method. Thank you
Kim Granger as this video shows, the included portafilter is pressurized. What that means is that regardless of the coffee you use, or your tamping pressure/technique, the valve will open at exactly the same back pressure in the basket every single time. While that sounds like a good thing, it is actually hiding issues, such as poor distribution, improper grind size, incorrect dose, etc.
Real Espresso uses the coffee puck as the primary way to gate pressure. So, what this mod is doing is pushing the machine closer to a real cafe style machine...where grind, dose, tamp all make or break the shot.
if you are using Preground coffee, this mod is NOT something you want to do. You only want to do this if you are grinding fresh whole beans with a decent burr grinder.
I hope that helps.
Daniel Baird zs
@@DanielBaird what kind of grinde is best for this unpressuruzed mode? Fine or regular?? I don't understand 😒
@@calderonjd30 Depending on your grinder, you should start with a grind that is so fine, the machine will not produce any coffee. Then "back off" (make it coarser) until it is pouring your shot in about 30 sec.
The thing is, you are still forcing coffee through less holes than are on the top if you look at the bottom its still 1 or maybe 3 holes with the modification and it is still pressurized, the only thing the mod does is prevent "fake" crema.
@ryotaryuu the pavoni filter is this one: www.espressochronicles.com/delonghi-ec155-bottomless-portafilter-double-shot/
Hey there. I’m new to making expresso so I have this machine.. if I take this pressure part off would I get what? Creamier coffee and better tasting?
@@glammedbynatalia what you get is more control. You will be controlling the flow of coffee purely with the grounds in the the basket.
Currently, that pressurized portafilter is doing some extra work for you, but it is hiding imperfections in both the coffee and your grind. Also, the crema that you are currently getting is more a result of that pressurized bit than it is a proper extraction.
Making this mod means that your grind will need to be spot on. it will take some time to dial everything in because you will have to change your grind settings. you will want to find a setting that allows your total volume to come out in about 27 to 30 seconds.
But once you do this. The quality of your coffee will jump a lot.
Ufff, its pretty tight! I am afraid I will break the whole black thing apart before I dissemble it. Who succeeded with this? What about your expresso results?
It's not really that bad. I've done this several times in addition to the video to show people and nothing has broken. The results are worth it if you want to get closer to cafe quality espresso.
Hi is there a difrence between the one you depressurize and the la pavone that you bought ready unpresurized?
Oh yes...big difference. The La Pavoni basket is a proper portafilter basket...one single piece of metal...no funny business. The depressurized DeLonghi basket is multiple parts to still disassemble and clean.
OK. I accidentally threw a way the spring, washer and plug. Does anyone know how I can order a replacement? I have searched everywhere online and can't seem to figure it out.
thank you so much, you help me +++++++++
Hey thanx for the video - I'm not sure if you're aware, but you never actually cemented your demonstration on HAVING a de-pressurized basket/filter... At 2:40 you have all the parts laying there on the table and you say "So that's how you de-pressurize the thing." ...Wait - what? You take the thing apart and lay it out on the counter? Which parts do you put BACK to have a functional de-pressurized basket/filter? Everything except the little peg & spring? Or can't you just put the first three pieces back together to accomplish this? (Basket, gasket, metal screen) If that's the case, though, why go through the trouble of removing a peg/spring?
Frank Durocher That’s exactly what I did. Simple and takes about three seconds.
You never showed how to use it after you took it apart. You just brought out another non pressurized filter.
So, wait--I just bought the EC-155, but I don't want to buy a proper grinder--too expensive. Right now I'm using preground Illy espresso, and I have a can of reground Lavazza in the on deck circle. If I depressurize my filter basket can I continue to use preground espresso? And will depressurizing my basket give me better espresso with the same coffee?
And do I dare take the plastic tip off of the steam wand for better (i.e., less foamy) milk? I don't want to buy a new tip cuz they cost money.
Jordanmilo if you depressurize the portafilter, using preground coffee will become difficult or impossible. Depressurizing will require you to have a decent grinder and use fresh whole beans ground for each shot. That is why you get a better shot...because you move your entire workflow closer to a professional setup.
as for steam...if you don't want to spend money, then don't. If you want better quality, then yes, pull that plastic thing off and get the metric 6mm single hole tip from OrphanEspresso.
Daniel Baird Thank you very much. Looks like I'll keep my filter as is for now and look into getting a steamer tip.
@@DanielBaird Hi Daniel, is the reason for needing to grind the coffee yourself because that way you can keep the grind courser so as to keep the flow without clogging whilst maintaining intensity etc? x
@@xxchar61xx grinding fresh for each shot is the only way to guarantee not only the freshest possible shot, but yes, you get complete control over the flow.
OK so all the stuff about 9Bar being the ultimate is defunct?
No, you are missing the point. The peak power of the pump is what is listed. The pump is rated at 15bar. So, if you were to completely block the shower head, the pump would max out at 15bar in the portafilter. This number on the box is NOT the brew pressure. You still want to BREW at 9bar. All they are saying is that they put a powerful pump in the machine that can easily reach 9.
Can't you use the same basket it comes with, just minus the screw and spring etc??
Yes, that us what this video shows. But, I liked the results of the aftermarket basket better.
@@DanielBaird ahh ok, I was under the impression that you needed to buy a different basket to use it thank you
@@DanielBaird You never showed how to make it un pressurized. You just took it apart and showed a totally different un pressurizd basket.
@@chiwawa130 @2:50, I say something blike "If you put all this back together leaving out these 3 pieces...". I assumed that it was simple enough to just put the big pieces back together...you have to do this if you are cleaning the thing regularly anyway.
You don't need to take apart the pressurized spring loaded thing. Just set it aside and don't use it. Put the filter back in the gasket and back on the filter basket and that's all you need. Way easier this way, and much easier to put it back to the way it was.
Yes, you could do that, but then the filter element isn't as stable. I like this solution because it puts the entire basket back together almost the way it was designed to work. I feel that it operates better this way. Just my opinion
@@DanielBaird Works great without having to use it. Pack it tight and it makes a great espresso. Much better than with the pressure filter attached. I don't even want to try taking the spring mechanism apart. I'd probably never get it back together. This is a much easier way, and it tastes great. So an option anyway.
So what’s the purpose of depressurizing?
The purpose is to make the portafilter closer to a cafe style one where you control the pressure of the shot only with grind and tamp.
I don't get it...why does the basket need to be pressurized for pre-ground coffee vs. depressurized for freshly ground coffee?
It really isn't a fresh vs pre-ground issue. It's a grind size issue. With fresh ground, it is assumed you have a grinder, and so, you can adjust the grind size to suit your machine. Espresso requires a fine grind to build up the necessary pressure in the portafilter. Pre-ground coffee is never the exact grind size needed for your machine. And so, you use a pressurized portafilter to compensate and guarantee the brew pressure.
Daniel, does this affect the crema?
Depressurizing makes the basket act more like a cafe quality machine. Removing that valve and spring takes out the part that makes crema possible even with poor grind quality. So,with this mod, you are 100% in control of the crema by grind and tamp. Freshness of beans also helps.
aw mann!!! you make it look so easy!!! ITS NOT!!! I've been trying to pop it out for hours only today. And this isn't even my first try... i'm noteven small or weak. It makes me crazy. I'm this close () to chewing it out :D
just got it out. but it came of broken. no problem though
This is a good video. The knife part was sketchy
Gotta do something to make the video stand out. LOL.
A little shaky from the caffeine? hahaha
Hi. I am new to this and just bought this machine. And I am going to ask a stupid question. What are the benefits of doing this? (I know you said "better tasteing expresso") But I dont know what presurized and depressurized are.
Also, my water flow in the machine is like this:
ruclips.net/video/Gk5w8aIJiRA/видео.html
maybe a little bit more but it flows like this.
And I guess the normal flow should be something like:
ruclips.net/video/XI-AhFWm2Co/видео.html
(minute 14:58
Thank you for your time)
Sebastian J. The flow of your machine looks similar to mine...that doesn't seem to be an issue. The better taste comes from the fact that you are controlling the flow/pressure with your grind an tamp...not with a spring valve. The pressurized portafilter assembly will ensure that 9 bars of pressure are generated even if you put coarse ground coffee into the thing...which means you aren't really making proper espresso. This mod forces you to get a better grind for your espresso, and learn how to tamp properly. This will instantly produce better crema and better espresso.
thanks...I am new to this and was also clueless about why do many people are recommending this.
so, did you get divorce after this?
Jahaziel Martin not yet.
How about now ?
Everyone says 9 bar is the best but all cheap espressos are 15, WHY?
9 bar is the extraction pressure. You need a pump that can generate more than the target to make sure you hit it.
@@DanielBaird Thanks, so is 15 bar as good in a cheaper machine such as a Delonhi?
I'm not sure what you mean by "as good". The pumps in these cheaper machines are not up to the standard of a cafe machine. They are designed for home use. So, if you tax it by trying to make too many drinks too fast, it will suffer.
@@DanielBaird Sorry for not making my question clear.
I meant do you get as good a cup of coffee using 15 Bar machine.
@@irie0for0all the quality of the cup has very little to do with the pump...as long as it can hit brew pressure of 9 bar. Your grinder, ,dose, tamping, total flow and final Volume in the cup are what matter more than anything.
USE A FORK!!!!! before anyone else tries this with a knife and takes off a finger, a fork works perfectly. like the back of a hammer pulling out a nail.
why don't you just buy a real espresso machine?
Ever heard of something called a budget? Some people can't afford a "real" espresso machine. This was my first machine, and it was the best I could do 3 years ago.
Great video, thanks for the clear explanation. Which entry level grinder would you recommend?
James Deschenes Capresso Infiniti.