plugging espresso machine into timer?

[floydpink]

Has anyone done this?

Reason I ask is because my soon to be new machine supposedly likes a 20 minute warmup and they say to NOT pay atention to the "ready to brew" light or you won't like the results.

The main reason I want this is for early mornings when waking up 20 minutes early would not be my favorite thing to do.

I am thinking of a heavy duty 3 prong timer able to handle the 1400 watts.

Anything to cause concern?

Thanks as always for the great insight.

[Mister Moo]

Gee... I never thought about that. You know, 'cause an Oscar goes from cold to brew-ready in six-minutes. Hey! I have an idea! Really. Ask Germ'rob. Use the 20-minutes of early get-up time to polish the chrome in the morning while it warms up with agonizing slowness. Hope that helps.

(Just leave it on. That 1400W element isn't burning all the time. What's another $0.10/kilowatt hour for a guy with a 20kg espresso machine anyhow?)

[novasurf]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

(Just leave it on. That 1400W element isn't burning all the time. What's another $0.10/kilowatt hour for a guy with a 20kg espresso machine anyhow?)

Agreed. But the timer is a great idea.

[floydpink]

I bought this 20kg machine to stop all the heckling I recieved from owning a Gaggia that heats up in less than 5 minutes. How much is a kilogram anyway? Like 2 lbs right?

I'll keep a good amount of Pig Snot Harley chrome polish on the Brasilia and it should be fine.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by novasurf

Agreed. But the timer is a great idea.

Hey Norm,

Since you're chiming in here, what's your thoughts on the beans they include with the machine? Not worth feeding a fancy chrome machine, right????

[Mister Moo]

Norman agrees with anything that speeds up the need for coffee.

I was surprised to find this 15A-rated timer for under $20; that (barely) covers your 1400W assuming your line voltage isn't dumping in the morning. High rated timers used to be rawther pricey - you may want a timer rated for more than 15A for daily use under a large load - talk to an electron genius on this if you are not one yourself.

[novasurf]

Since you're chiming in here, what's your thoughts on the beans they include with the machine? Not worth feeding a fancy chrome machine, right????

Good for practice. LOL at Moo.

My Anita takes even longer to come up to temp, generally I turn it on at night when I get home from work and pull a few shots at dinner, then make my drinks in the morning and turn it off on my way out.

Don't know if this is driving me to the poorhouse with energy use, but just never bothered to buy a timer.

[floydpink]

Thanks guys. It's not the power bill I was worried about, more worried about burning out the machine or causing unnecessary wear.

[aich75013]

Just curious, does it have a power button?
Most appliances are off when you plug them in.
So, even though the timer turns on at a certain time, you would still need to turn it on.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by aich75013

Just curious, does it have a power button?
Most appliances are off when you plug them in.
So, even though the timer turns on at a certain time, you would still need to turn it on.

The machine does indeed have a power button.

The timer would work like the lights in your house on a timer when you go on vacation; they are switched on, but the timer switches them off, then on again at the preset times to give the impression someone is home.

In the case of the espresso machine, I would turn it on before bed, but the timer wouldn't actually let the machine turn on until 6:00 am, or whatever time the operator decided.

Does this make sense?

[aich75013]

Originally Posted by floydpink

The machine does indeed have a power button.

The timer would work like the lights in your house on a timer when you go on vacation; they are switched on, but the timer switches them off, then on again at the preset times to give the impression someone is home.

In the case of the espresso machine, I would turn it on before bed, but the timer wouldn't actually let the machine turn on until 6:00 am, or whatever time the operator decided.

Does this make sense?

Yep, I understand how a timer works.
I guess it depends on how the power switch works. If it is a toggle switch, then yes, I can see how it would work. Because it would still be "on."
If it is a push button, then it may not work.
My computer, inkjet printer, and expresso machine all have push buttons where if the power goes out (say from a storm) then when the power comes back on, I have to turn them all back on by pushing the on button, even if they were on when the power went out.
My laser printer has a toggle switch, and it turns back on when the power comes back on.
I have no idea how yours works.

[germantown rob]

No problem putting it on a timer. The Oscar would still need the steam valve opened to release the false pressure setting and a couple more minutes to recover. There is a valve on many machines that prevents the false pressure so not sure if you have that or not but either way you can still use a timer.
Leaving it on is the best answer since it still takes awhile for all the parts to get up to full temp and a cup warmer is a bit useless if you turn it on and off all the time.

[aich75013]

Sounds like Rob knows what he's talking about, so I'm just gonna go and

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by aich75013

Sounds like Rob knows what he's talking about, so I'm just gonna go and

you sure? I gotta go check my printer's power switch now......

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by germantown rob

No problem putting it on a timer. The Oscar would still need the steam valve opened to release the false pressure setting and a couple more minutes to recover. There is a valve on many machines that prevents the false pressure so not sure if you have that or not but either way you can still use a timer.
Leaving it on is the best answer since it still takes awhile for all the parts to get up to full temp and a cup warmer is a bit useless if you turn it on and off all the time.

So, Rob, I guess leaving the machine on all the time, except to clean or service it, is not at all harmful to the machine?

Thanks for that, I guess I'll skip the trip to Lowes.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by floydpink

So, Rob, I guess leaving the machine on all the time, except to clean or service it, is not at all harmful to the machine?

Thanks for that, I guess I'll skip the trip to Lowes.

I personally believe there is more stress on the system turning on and off all the time. I considered the timer for the summer time to cut down on the extra heat but no worries with a good machine either way.

I see your machine has the back pressure relief valve so you should have no need to open the steam valve to release the false pressure. I really want to add this, kind of silly the oscar doesn't have it since I believe it is only a $15 part. Really looks like a nice machine, enjoy the polishing .

[floydpink]

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

Originally Posted by floydpink

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

Dude, you worrying about small stuff, LOL. Anita is bigger, is heavier, takes longt to warm up, etc etc etc.

Nom of those mean squat compared to the joy of the shots it pulls

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Forget the polishing, I just realized something very concerning.

I already did, I bought the Oscar . I'll get back to you on the polishing after a month or two.

Originally Posted by floydpink

The machine will just clear my cabinets but I am concerned about the water tank in the back.

At 50 pounds, I'm not sure how easy filling the tank will be.

The Oscar is 39lbs, no problem sliding it in and out from under the cabs to fill. You have to take the cup warming tray out to fill yours, huh? You could always put a 5 gal bottle in a cab above with a stop valve for filling the reservoir. If it is really hard to slide get some of those furniture glides at the hardware store.