Record & Playback Volumetrics - Steam LP

Record & Playback Volumetrics - Steam LP


Program, Calibrate, & Troubleshoot Steam LP Volumetrics
Quickly and easily 'Record' your last manual shot and 'Replay' it all day.


Objective:
Create and save recipes using Manual Mode and the Record & Playback feature. During the 'Recording' process, reliance on an external espresso scale to accurately calibrate measured yields is imperative. Once you've verified consistent volumetrics. You may remove the espresso scale and confidently 'Playback' your programed recipes.

Time:
  1. 10 minutes
Tools:
  1. Espresso Scale
  2. Vessel
Preparation: 
Calibrating volumetrics requires considerate espresso preparation.  External factors such as coffee, dose, and tamp equally contribute to the quality of extractions, volumetric repeatability, and are recommended to be examined for consistency before proceeding. 

Factory settings or previously programed volumetrics may not yield consistent results when adjusting recipes. Volumetrics rely on water measured through the flowmeter and retained puck saturation to replicate programed Shots. This is defined by three different measurements:
  1. Volume of water it takes to fill the headspace (water from the puck surface up to the dispersion screen).
  2. Average volume of water left behind in a saturated puck.
  3. Released water through the three way valve at the end of the extraction.
Terminology: Barista Dashboard & Group Operation
  1. Actuator 
    1. Brew group paddle used to 'actuate' through each brewing phase as well as activate programed volumetrics.
  2. Encoder Knob
    1. Access menus and save settings during recipe development.
      1. Quick press accesses and saves settings.
      2. Long press exits menus and does not save settings.
  3. Manual Button 
    1. Enter and exit manual mode operation in addition to navigate 'Record & Playback' feature.



Manual Mode:
  1. Pre-Infusion for up to 10 seconds.
  2. Manually actuate through brewing phases.
Volumetric Mode:
  1. Actuate to POS 1 or POS 2 to activate programed volumetric.



Program & Calibrate Volumetrics:
InfoSLAYER Steam LP features two (2) programmable shot volumes for each group: Shot 1 and Shot 2. Also known as Position 1 and Position 2, respectively.
Idea
Volumetric Measurement Value: Grams
Step 1: Program Volumetrics
  1. Gather tools: Vessel & Espresso Scale.
  2. Prepare espresso with considerate puck preparation.
  3. Press Manual Button to enter Manual Mode:
    1. Display prompt will appear. (Image below)
    2. Confirm M (manual) is present on upper right of prompt. 

  1. Manually pull extraction to desired recipe and yield.
  2. Note weight on Espresso Scale.
  3. Press Manual Button to enter Save Last Shot prompt:
Alert
Menu prompt can 'time out' after a few seconds so do not hesitate to follow further instructions. Return to top of Step 1 if prompt times out.
  1. Scroll to CalWT.

  1. Quick press Encoder Knob to enter CalWT.
  2. Enter measured yield as observed on your Espresso Scale.
    1. The Measured WT will always read 30g! 

  1. Quick press Encoder Knob to save Measured WT.
  2. Save Last Shot prompt will return.
  3. Scroll to either SH1 or SH2 depending on which volumetric position you would like to save your recipe.

  1. Once saved to either SH1 or SH2.
  2. The prompt will ask if you would like to save to all groups.
    1. Selecting Yes will save volumetric recipe to respective position on all groups.
    2. Selecting No will  save volumetric recipe to current group only.
  3. Proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Volumetric Verification
  1. Continuing with an espresso scale.
  2. Pull a follow up shot while in volumetric mode on the recently programed group and position.
  3. If the yield on the scale is less than +/- 1g of the expected recipe, as observed by the WT on the display, then no further calibration is needed.
  4. Proceed to Step 3 if volumetric extractions fall outside the acceptable SLAYER Steam Series volumetric variance. 
Alert
While you may continue to Step 3 if a tighter variance is desired. We recommend pulling several volumetric extractions and analyzing the delta before adjusting Cal Shot WT Offs. Additionally, the role of puck preparation is key when calibrating volumetrics.

Step 3: Flowmeter Calibration - Cal Shot WT Offs
Calibrating the shot weight offset is the method used to fine tune the Steam LP's flowmeters to dose out the appropriate amount of water through the brew circuit during extraction. This process is necessary when saving a recipe to all groups.

Since the Steam LP features independent hydraulic pathways for each group. Brew circuit tolerances and coffee as a variable subtly effect how water moves through groups independently. Therefor it is imperative to calibrate the shot weight offset for each group and shot position after programing volumetric recipes.

Idea
If verifying the volumetric recipe in Step 2 yields greater than +/- 1g observed on the espresso scale. Follow the steps below to calibrate the shot weight offset:
  1. Press Encoder Knob on Group 1 display.
  2. <Menu> will appear.
  3. Select Menu to enter Advanced Menu, scroll until you find the setting Cal Shot WT Offs.
  4. Quick press Encoder Knob.

  1. Select appropriate POS and group number.
  2. Enter Measured WT as observed on your Espresso Scale.
  3. Quick press Encoder Knob to save.
  4. Repeat Step 2.

Troubleshooting:

Puck Preparation:
Steam LP volumetrics are sensitive to external factors such as:
  1. Coffee
  2. Grind Particle Size
  3. Dose
  4. Tamp
In an effort to avoid chasing your tail when programing, calibrating, and troubleshooting volumetrics. Verify consistency of the factors listed above. Considerate puck preparation is imperative to both an intuitive programing process as well as diagnosing any mechanical faults.
Idea
While dialing in a new coffee or during recipe development. Dial in your coffee using Manual Mode. This will ensure the volumetric programing process does not overlap with the coffee dialing in process. 
Mechanical Faults:
Alert
SLAYER recommends all service be performed by an experienced SLAYER Espresso trained technician. For a technician reference near you, please contact SLAYER Support at (206)-284-7171 (#1 in Directory) or email support@slayerespresso.com.

Obstructions caused by poor water quality can accumulate in restriction areas along the brew hydraulic path. Most notably in the flowmeters which accurately register precise volumetrics. Symptoms include:
  1. Slow extractions.
  2. Inaccurate WT yields.
  3. No WT registering on display.
    1. Flowmeter Not Reading Output
Preventative Maintenance can also affect volumetric accuracy. Expansion valves not replaced annually can fatigue and discharge water at lower pressures causing water to bypass coffee extraction.
Symptoms include:
  1. Fast extractions.
  2. Inaccurate WT yields.
  3. Squeaking sounds.
SLAYER Steam LP Expansion Valve adjustment. (It is uncommon for Steam LP expansion valves to require adjustment. Replace expansion valve as a resolution measure.)


Questions or concerns? Please contact: support@slayerespresso.com

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