To leave on or not to leave on

Cuir Beluga

that is the question!

I am currently making anywhere from 2-8 cuppas a day. Would it be best to leave the machine on or to turn it off after each use?
I am just thinking about wear and tear on parts more than anything.

Thanks, Sue .

GeekKopi

on 1432441429:

that is the question! I am currently making anywhere from 2-8 cuppas a day. Would it be best to leave the machine on or to turn it off after each use? I am just thinking about wear and tear on parts more than anything. Thanks, Sue .

Hi Sue My machine is on from 7am to 9 or 10pm 7 days per week. The way I see it is if the heating element or pstat goes I'll replace it. I just want my coffee when I feel like it instead of waiting 30mins for warm up. I also run my machine of a wifi timer so I can turn it on through my iPhone when my machine is off and I'm on the way home. That way it's warm for when I get home. Another advantage of leaving it on is it might help help with scale build up. By letting the machine turn on and off throughout the day might increase the amount of scale whereas keeping it hot throughout the day might help control t.

Cuir Beluga

Thanks GeekKopi, food for thought for sure . Just wondering how it will affect the power bill too  :-|.

Brett H

I've been switching mine off if I'm going a couple of hours without a coffee.  The boards and wires of a domestic machine aren't intded for 24/7 power. 

Cuir Beluga

Thanks Brett, that is what I have been doing but I am not feeling the best at the moment so I haven't been drinking as much as I usually do. Unless that is because the coffee may be of a higher quality :D.

Brett H

Hope you're feeling better soon! 

GeekKopi

on 1432455740:

Thanks Brett, that is what I have been doing but I am not feeling the best at the moment so I haven't been drinking as much as I usually do. Unless that is because the coffee may be of a higher quality :D.

Get well soon [emoji477]️

Cuir Beluga

Thanks GeekKopi, I have my fingers crossed I'll be back to my normal self in a day or 2.

GaryatGala

Definitely get a timer for greater flexibility. Time it to turn machine on half hour to an hour before making coffee. Leaving machines on 24/7 does not do anything for global warming let alone power bills. That is more for commercial situations. I have used a good quality timer between the wall and the plug. Have found it invaluable. [emoji6]

Cuir Beluga

A timer sounds like a plan Gary. I can get my eldest to turn it on before he leaves for school in the morning so it is ready to rock and roll when I get up. I turned it off after my morning cuppa and then turned it back on for my lunch one. I doubt very much it will go back on now until after tea unless Matt wants one when he gets home from school.

Lacehim

on 1432441895:

I also run my machine of a wifi timer so I can turn it on through my iPhone when my machine is off and I'm on the way home. That way it's warm for when I get home.

Ohhhhh I want one of them.  Did it cost lots of $$$? Personally I've a done a timer, on all day and turning on when needed.  I sufferer from a lack of concentration so I turn it on, wander off, get side tracked and 3 hours later wander back and go... Ummm wasn't I making coffee.  Haha. Power wise once up to temp your machine is only cutting in to turn on the element, so it wouldn't be costing you millions.  I like the convenience of having it on for myself to have a brew when I want, and guests.  If I know I'm not going to feel like a coffee later on, I turned it off.  So usually on around 8, off around 11, and back on for the Mrs/guests in the afternoon for a few hours.   I haven't had any major issues, apart from a safety valve being faulty but I'm putting that down to poor quality parts (and the safety valve was only 6 months old). If the electronics etc in the machine are that fragile that leaving it on for periods of time cause it to fail it's not very well designed IMO.  Espresso machines need to be built to cope with heat, water and electricity all in the same box.

GeekKopi

on 1432526061:

Ohhhhh I want one of them.  Did it cost lots of $$$? Personally I've a done a timer, on all day and turning on when needed.  I sufferer from a lack of concentration so I turn it on, wander off, get side tracked and 3 hours later wander back and go... Ummm wasn't I making coffee.  Haha. Power wise once up to temp your machine is only cutting in to turn on the element, so it wouldn't be costing you millions.  I like the convenience of having it on for myself to have a brew when I want, and guests.  If I know I'm not going to feel like a coffee later on, I turned it off.  So usually on around 8, off around 11, and back on for the Mrs/guests in the afternoon for a few hours.   I haven't had any major issues, apart from a safety valve being faulty but I'm putting that down to poor quality parts (and the safety valve was only 6 months old). If the electronics etc in the machine are that fragile that leaving it on for periods of time cause it to fail it's not very well designed IMO.  Espresso machines need to be built to cope with heat, water and electricity all in the same box.

Hi mate. The wifi timer I have is from Bunnings. Cost me $38. It's called the ARLEC WIFI POWER CONTROLLER does the job. I can set automatic on and off times for different days as well as control it remotely in the house and when out and about. It's good when sitting on the couch and you feel like a coffee. No need to get up and go to the kitchen to turn the machine on. Just grab your phone and press a button. - #lazy

Lacehim

on 1432527738:

Hi mate. The wifi timer I have is from Bunnings. Cost me $38. It's called the ARLEC WIFI POWER CONTROLLER does the job. I can set automatic on and off times for different days as well as control it remotely in the house and when out and about. It's good when sitting on the couch and you feel like a coffee. No need to get up and go to the kitchen to turn the machine on. Just grab your phone and press a button. - #lazy

Wow, $38, bargain!  I was expecting $100+ or something.  Maybe I should get one for the telly too, so I can turn it off when my 10 year old sneaks downstairs at 6am to watch telly. lol.

askthecoffeeguy

Depends on what type of machine it is mines a semi commercial single group so I usually turn it off after I've had my 2 coffees in the morning My other machine is a sunbeam cafe series which is a thermoblock machine -  which means that it heats up in a couple of minutes - so I see no point in leaving it on other than to warm the group head and handle (wwhich can also be achieved by running hot water through the machine) Sometimes I just like listening to the sound of the mechanical switches engaging the boiler in my rancilio epoca - even after I've had my coffee - don't ask me why j just find it vaguely reassuring !

GeekKopi

on 1432600547:

Sometimes I just like listening to the sound of the mechanical switches engaging the boiler in my rancilio epoca - even after I've had my coffee - don't ask me why j just find it vaguely reassuring !

Funny you said that. I get the same reassuring feeling keeping mine on throughout the day.

askthecoffeeguy

I guess part of it comes from knowing that I CAN have a coffee even if I don't need one plus it's great for when friends pop around  :angel: