Hi,
I've been using an unpressurised after market basket and handle with my Delonghi Dedica for a while. It makes just OK espresso. I dont think my grinder is up to scratch tbh.
I thought I'd try a pressurised basket, but for some reason the espresso sprays out of the spouts laterally, making a huge mess, as pictured. Obviously this didnt happen before.
Any idea why? I tried a finer grind, distributing the coffee better, and tamping harder and more evenly. No cigar.
(Why a pressurised basket? The best espresso I've ever had out of this particular machine was with the stock handle and stock pressurised basket. Why not use those then? Because the stock basket doesnt grip the handle well. It falls out into the knock box when you bang it. I hate this with a passion)
My brother in law had this exact same problem with his breville. Cheater cup with aftermarket handle.
The problem is because the pressure is created by forcing all the water through the one tiny hole at the bottom, so it comes out at high velocity. The normal holder is designed to contain this, collect it, and let it run down into the cup.
The aftermarket one isn't designed this way, so the high pressure steam hits the bottom of the diverter and shoots out to either side.
It doesn't matter how much coffee or how you grind it. The pressure will be the same.
The solution is to not use the cheater cup (I use it exclusively). Or get the original handle and use that.
Or maybe you could put a bit of steel wool up there? Anything to break up that stream.
Hope you get it figured out.
Using the metal screen i posted yesterday, much less spluttering (although still a bit). But this confirms.the theory. It needs to be diffused.
Glad you're on the right track!
Ah hah! I see now. The stock handle has this convoluted "gutter" to diffuse the jet of espresso flying out the hole.
Well. You gave me an idea...
I'll try this tomorrow.
This won't make foam IMO, better go with the original anti-splatter if you want foam I think.
Original tasted better.
Well I guess the original is/was fine tuned to do its think well, is it only the handle you dislike or is it like broken?
My stock handle also has a plastic piece that sits in the center that diffuses the stream. That piece shakes right out if you're not careful.