Taste differences with OPV adjustment?

Kelsey

So my pressure gauge was fixed without drama today at Bezzera. I have to say, the more I deal with this company, the more I like them. Easy to deal with and good gear.

It was a simple issue, for whatever reason, the gauge was hooked up to the steam instead of the boiler.

Fixed, it now registers a very solid.....

12 bar.  :D

Having read Derrilex's thread I knew I had little chance of convincing them of the necessity of a change. That's ok tho, they've got their viewpoint and I respect a business that sticks to its guns.

And I'm hardly an authority!

So - I've read AM's 101 thread and we've discussed at length. I understand the purpose of an OPV and how it works.

I've read Shape Shifter's account (Wow, berries!  ;D ) and know that some people are getting something better in the cup than they were.

But as we've previously discovered, my wife is super tasty, but I'm not - my palate can't yet discern all the flavours present in a brew.

So what would an adjustment of the OPV mean to me? What would I taste? How would this affect day to day operation? Would my machine now choke more easily, for example?

Curious minds wish to know!

Koffee_Kosmo

So what would an adjustment of the OPV mean to me? What would I taste? How would this affect day to day operation?

Depending on your technique you could very well be pulling shots now at 9 bar Its all relative to the restriction the puck makes against the water pressure

Would my machine now choke more easily, for example?

Yes you will need to adjust your grind and tamp style KK

Kelsey

I'm definitely going to have to give this a try.  >:D

Kelsey

The more I think about this the more I want to do it. I find it very hard to avoid channeling and I wonder if it isn't due to the higher pressure. Then again, could be the idiot behind the portafilter that's the factor.

Lacehim

I can't believe they let the machine leave the shop with the pressure gauge plumbed up wrong.  ??? Is there a reason for Bezzera not being willing to adjust the OPV to 9bar?  :-| Anyway Kelsey, if you learn how to do it yourself, you can tweak to your hearts content.

Kelsey

Oh I'm not qualified to open the case, so I'll be leaving it all alone. At least until the warranty runs out. :D