It’s not just leaving the bed that wakes you up every morning — it’s the cup of espresso coffee that you take a sip in every morning that does it. But if the coffee maker itself doesn’t function well, waking up should be a terrible experience, right?
One of the common problems of an espresso machine is a damaged steam ring. When damaged, it spills coffee all over the place. While it can hardly be repaired, installing a new one seems to be the only choice you have.
So how to install a steam ring on a Breville espresso machine? If you don’t know, worry not. In this piece, we will be showing you the steps you need to follow to install a new steam ring.
Read till the end to find out!
How to Install a Steam Ring?
Installing a new steam ring requires the removal of the older one. To do so involves opening the machine up, removing the old ring, and installing the new one. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Step 1: Flash out of Water
The first thing you want to do is to get rid of all the remaining water in the espresso machine. If there’s any leftover water inside, it will mess up the entire counter.
Simply drain the water in the sink of your kitchen, and you’re ready to move on.
Step 2: Remove the Coffee Hopper
On top of the device, there is a coffee hopper. It is a gateway for the coffee beans to get inside the machine. Beans are loaded in that hopper for the next step. There’s a lock on the hopper that controls the bean from getting inside.
In this step, you need to remove the hopper from the machine. But before that, take off the plastic cover over it and lock it up using the locker. You need to turn it in a clockwise direction. A clicking sound will ensure that it has been locked.
Now cover it up and gently take it out. You can see there are some beans left beneath the hopper, so be careful not to spill some beans around you.
Step 3: Clear the Beans
Now that you have taken the hopper off, you need to get rid of the leftover beans, as well. The beans we saw underneath should be taken out with a scooper. If you don’t have one, you can use your hand, as well.
The purpose is to clean the entire area.
Step 4: Remove the Grounds Tray
The grounds tray is there for holding the coffee cup and tackles any spillage if you’re collecting coffee from the machine. This tray is completely removable, and you should take it off before you begin installing the steam ring.
You’re going to put the device upside down, so it’s crucial that you remove the tray earlier.
Step 5: Place the Machine Upside Down
At this point, take a cotton-made clean towel and put it on the counter wide open. Carefully lift the machine and put it upside down on the towel. The towel will save it from any potential damage.
After you put it upside down, you can see the showerhead right over the steam ring. The showerhead is the end of the tunnel for the coffee to come out and drop into your cup.
Step 6: Detach the Showerhead
Now carefully observe the showerhead. Can you see a screw in the middle of it? You will definitely see one, and you need to remove it from there. Use a wrench that fits the size of the screw and carefully remove it.
Once it’s done, you can simply pull out the showerhead, and you can expose the steam ring inside.
Step 7: Time to Remove the Existing Steam Ring
Okay, before installing a new steam ring, you definitely need to remove the older one from the machine. But a steam ring is not that easy to take off from its place. You need to use something sharp or pointed to get it out.
You may consider using a spoon, a screwdriver, or a knife for this purpose. The point is, you need to poke the ring out of its place.
If you’re using a knife for this purpose, make sure you’re taking proper precautions for it. It may injure your hand or any of the steel structures of the device. So be careful about that.
Step 8: Install the New Steam Ring
Now it’s time to install the new steam ring. First of all, you need to clean the entire area where the steam ring resides. There will be coffee leftover and spills on the surface.
Take a clean cloth and wipe all the stains you find. Make sure you’ve cleaned it up completely before you place the new one there.
Once you’re done with the cleaning, gently place the new ring there. You can see a circular hollow inside the ring area that holds the ring inside. It will fit the steam ring perfectly.
It’s not always going to be easy for the ring to set inside. So, you need to push the ring a bit with a screwdriver or any pointed material. Gently push all over it to make sure it fits tightly.
Step 9: Attach the Shower Head
Now, you are half done. After installing the steam ring, it’s time for you to attach the showerhead again. Follow the exact opposite process you followed when you were taking it out.
Lock the head with the wrench and make sure it’s tight enough. The showerhead resides between the ring and the filter. So, it’s very important to make sure that it is well-placed and there’s nothing shaky.
Step 10: Assemble!
So you have come to the last step of installing a new steam ring. Now do exactly everything you did before you started the installation process – but in reverse. Reassemble all the parts and rearrange.
Remove the cloth you put under the machine and keep the machine where it belongs. Replace the water holder and consider filling it up with fresh, clean water. Run the machine once to see if all the parts are working perfectly.
If you see no issues with the machine to worry about, that means you have successfully installed a steam ring. Great job!
Related article: How to Install Tubing for Espresso Machine Filters
Final Words
If you have been waiting for days to taste that magical drink just because you didn’t know how to install a steam ring, you’ve got company.
We made sure we explain the steps pretty loud and clear, just for you. Even if you haven’t opened a machine before, you can still install the steam ring with confidence.
Enjoy the cup of coffee you deserve!