plugging espresso machine into timer?

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 .