The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

Mini Vivaldi arrived yesterday and I set it up last night. Everything now seems shipshape and we're starting up the learning curve from a Gaggia Classic, but I've run into one problem I cannot solve. The portafilter baskets arrived in the portafilters and they are immovable. I've tried icing them and wedging the tip of a spoon under the lip, but nothing works. Has anyone else run into this, and if so, how did you solve it?

Many thanks.

Jeff

Congrats on the Mini-Vivaldi.

When I first tried to remove the baskets from the P/F I had to use a tool. I pried them out with a flat screw driver.

Once they were out I removed the spring and bent it out, with a pair of pliers, all around to reduce the holding force. Since there is a lot of variation in both the springs and the baskets, you may have received a very tight fitting set.

That worked. Many thanks. It's a very tight fit--I did not adjust the springs yet, but until I do I think I'll have to keep the screwdriver in the kitchen.

Yep, springs are TIGHT.

Going from an Anita, and E-61 HX.. There is only ONE thing i miss.

Ridgless baskets. I loved my Synesso baskets. However, I like the ESPRESSO on the VII more, so I can live with it :)

I think some people bought La Marzocco retaining springs and used those.. I have two, but Ive yet to put them in, as they need to be trimmed, and Ive been lazy.

I just use a flat stubby screwdriver that I bought for my Gaggia Classic to remove the screen. Pops them bad boys right out.

The La Marzocco springs that I bought from Espresso Parts NW did not require any modification. I just put them in and have been using them for almost three years. You can either bend your original equipment springs or buy La Marzocco springs to replace them.
Good luck and enjoy the SI,
Mark