DeLonghi Dedica EC685 Coffee Machine: Slow Drip

ilubbargains on 06/07/2020 - 15:03
Last edited 06/07/2020 - 15:07 by 1 other user

I know there are a few in the community that have the same coffee machine as I do: the DeLonghi Dedica EC685.

My machine has been consistently making great coffee for over a year. However over the weekend, I noticed that the extraction from the portafilter has slowed down around 1 drip per second. I've descaled the machine twice and cleaned the coffee outlet but these have made nil improvement to the extraction rate.

My breville smart grinder is set to the 19 grind size and I've recently started using beans from Manna Beans. Also I'm still using the stock 'pressurized' filter and tend to tamp with mild pressure.

Would appreciate any tips on improving the extraction rate.

• 

  dasher86 on 06/07/2020 - 15:21

  +2

  What extraction rate do you get with just the portafilter and no beans?
  Try making a larger grind size as well.

  • 

    ilubbargains on 06/07/2020 - 15:26

    On the 2-shot button, I get just under 90mL with an empty portafiler (i.e., no beans).

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  Peter Enis on 06/07/2020 - 15:28

  +1

  I bought Manna beans from a recent deal and I found I had to adjust for a much coarser grind compared to the supermarket beans I've been using prior to that. Otherwise I was only getting a slow trickle as well. Presumably as the beans are a lot fresher.
  Different machine to yours though.

  • 

    ilubbargains on 06/07/2020 - 15:40

    Alright good to know. I just dialled grind size up to 25 on my BCG820. Still the same slow extraction. Will try grind size 30 and see how it goes.

• 

  braedc on 06/07/2020 - 17:46

  +1

  You can try lowering the dose of coffee a gram and see how that goes. More coffee = more resistance

  • 

    ilubbargains on 07/07/2020 - 09:36

    Good point, will give this a go

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  MechEng on 07/07/2020 - 15:04

  +1

  Hey have you checked if your basket is not clogged? Do you have a different basket to try and see what the rate is without coffee?
  So the rate with a single pressurised filter and with the double should be very similar.

  • 

    ilubbargains on 07/07/2020 - 15:27

    Yes rate with single/double filter appear to be similar. I've now descaled the machine twice (with double basekt/portafilter mounted) and boiled the basket for 20 minutes in a citric acid bath. I reckon it's likely down to brand of beans requiring a coarser grind size. Only starting to realise that "oilier" beans = coarser grind required.

    • 

      MechEng on 08/07/2020 - 08:39

      So, did it resolve?
      That is not necesarily true. What you need to ensure is to wash the basket after every use. I normally wash mine in hot water. Once the oils dry up is harder to clean

      • 

        ilubbargains on 08/07/2020 - 13:57

        I usually wash the basket by emptying used grinds and run a double-shot extract with an empty portafilter in place.

        The espresso extraction has been resolved through a combo of the following:
        1) courser grind size
        2) lesser amount of coffee in the basket
        3) very light tamp.

        Will be interesting to see what happens when I move onto another brand of beans.

        • 

          MechEng on 09/07/2020 - 08:50

          +1

          @ilubbargains: I cannot comment on any of the 3 points as indeed those can cause slow pour. But also all 3 are important in a good cuppa.

          In terms of washing the basket, don't do it that way. Wash it with hot tap water and clean the pressure hole (the one in the back) with the supplied wire.
          By pressuring water through an empty basket you may be putting more "dirt" inside the basket.
          If you really want to see if it is the amunt of oil, just leave some grains outside for somedays to dryout and try again
          Cheers

          • 

            ilubbargains on 09/07/2020 - 10:56

            @MechEng: Thanks - appreciate your advice. Will change the way I wash the basket. I don't recall ever seeing the wire that was supplied with the machine. Might have to come up with an alternative.
            Thanks again!