Our technicians are hard at work throughout the day repairing machines that have been shipped and dropped off. Our customer service representatives would be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
What espresso machine brands/models do you work on?
We specialize in home/consumer/commercial espresso machines — both “super-automatic” machines that grind whole beans and brew espresso at the push of a button as well as the more traditional “semi-automatic” machines that require a separate grinder and a little more finesse on the part of the user. The most common brands we service are De’Longhi,
Saeco, Gaggia, Rancilio, Ascaso, Solis and Spidem, Faema, Wega, Essse Caffe, Magister, Miele, etc. but if you’ve got a machine that isn’t on that list drop us a line and we’ll let you know how we can help.
Did I do anything wrong to my machine to cause it to not work?
Usually, No. Espresso machines are just like any other machine and they do require service. We recommend having your espresso machine tuned up at least once a year to prevent any issues in the future.
How can I descale my espresso machine?
We recommend descaling your espresso machine every few months under normal usage, but you may have to perform this more frequently if your water has a high mineral content. Note: Please be sure to collect the used descaling solution in a container, as the citric acid in it can tarnish metallic components.
(Descaling solution is available for purchase on our website in Parts-->Maintenance)
The following are recommended descaling instructions for general types of espresso machines. Please consult your machine user manual for specific instructions on descaling your particular machine.
Descaling a Single Boiler or Thermoblock Espresso Machine
Dissolve the descaling agent into a full water reservoir.
Pull the solution into your boiler by running about a cup of water out of your steam and/or hot water wand. Close the steam knob.
Turn off the machine and let sit for 20 minutes. This is important to allow the descaling solution to work.
After 20 minutes, run about 1/4 of the reservoir out of the steam wand, 1/4 out of the brew head.
Turn off the machine and allow to rest for another 20 minutes.
Flush the remaining water out of the steam wand and brew head, and finish by running a reservoir (or two) of clean water through the machine.
Descaling a Superautomatic Espresso Machine
If your machine has an automatic descaling cycle, refer to the owner's manual for instructions. For machines without an automatic descaling cycle:
Dissolve the descaling agent into a full reservoir
Pull the solution into your boiler by running about a cup of water out of your steam wand. Close the steam knob.
Turn off the machine and let sit for 20 minutes. This is important to allow the descaling solution to work.
After 20 minutes, run about 1/2 of the reservoir out of the steam wand.
Turn off the machine and allow to rest for another 20 minutes.
Flush the remaining water out of the steam wand and finish by running a reservoir of clean water through the machine.
How can I clean the infuser/brew unit on my machine?
Remove the brew group from inside the machine.
Rinse it with warm water and soap about 2 times per week and then lubricate it after it dries.
Older models may have a screen that needs to be removed and rinsed on a regular basis as well.
How long will it take to repair my espresso machine?
This varies widely depending on the time of the year, how many machines we have in the shop and what exactly your machine needs; it’s always best to call or email for our current turn-around time before sending your machine in. Once we do get your machine on the bench and diagnosed it’s usually repaired, tested and ready to go within the next 5-7 business days (or sooner).
How much will it cost to repair my espresso machine?
Labor charges will vary depending on machine model and if/what parts need to be replaced inside of the machine. Generally to repair a home espresso machine the cost is between $200 to $300 dollars. This does not including shipping. In the event that we contact you with the estimate for your machine and you decide not to have the machine repaired, we will then have to charge a flat rate diagnosing fee of $90.00-$150.00 depending on the make and model of the machine.
Is my machine worth repairing?
Usually, yes. It’s rare for the repair estimate to come even close to the cost of replacing the machine with a comparable model. Most machines that we see just need a good tune-up and cleaning, and then they’re ready to provide many more years of service.
I’m not in Chicago or the surrounding area, do you know anyone near me that can fix my machine?
There are very few shops that specialize in espresso machines the way we do. Unfortunately, it’s not all that common. However, we service shipped in machines every day from all over the United States! We’ve gotten pretty good at working with
out-of-the-area customers.
