Record & Playback - Steam Single

Record & Playback - Steam Single

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



Objective:
Create and save recipes using the 'Record & Playback' feature. During the 'Recording,' Manual Mode process, reliance on an external espresso scale to accurately calibrate extractions is imperative. Once a volumetric recipe has been accurately dialed in. You may remove the espresso scale and confidently 'Playback' your programed recipes while in Automatic Mode.

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. SLAYER Steam Single User Manual:
    1. Page 4.
Manual Mode (Indicated by M in upper right corner of Barista Dashboard):
  1. Pre-Infusion for up to 10 seconds.
    1. Restricted, fixed, flowrate. ~3g/s.
  2. Manually actuate through brewing phases.
Automatic Mode:
  1. Actuate to POS 1 or POS 2 to activate programed volumetric.



Program Volumetrics:
Idea
SLAYER Steam Single features two (2) programmable shot volumes for each group: Shot 1 and Shot 2. Also known as Position 1 and Position 2, respectively.
  1. Gather tools:
    1. Vessel & Espresso Scale.
  2. Prepare espresso with considerate puck preparation.
  3. Scroll Encoder Knob to Mode Select and choose <Manual >:
    1. M will appear next to STM on Barista Dashboard.
Step 1: RECORD: Manual Mode
Manual mode means just that! User must manually move brew actuator through brewing positions ~ OFF, Pre-Infusion (up to 10 seconds), Full-Brew, and back OFF again. Users can choose to stay in Manual or save favorite recipes to an Automatic recipe using the Record & Playback process.
Warning
Do not exceed 10 seconds during Pre-Infusion!
  1. Manually pull extraction to desired recipe and yield.
  2. Note weight on espresso scale.
  3. Scroll to Save Last Shot.
  4. Click Encoder Knob.
  5. Enter Shot Weight prompt will appear:
    1. Input extraction yield weight as observed on the scale.
    2. The value initially presented will often be significantly lower than extraction weight. Adjust accordingly and be accurate!
  6. Once shot weight is input. Prompt will then ask to save to a brewing position:
    1. Shot 1 - Center actuator position.
    2. Shot 2 - Far left actuator position.
    3. Both - Recipe is saved to both actuator positions.
Step 2: PLAYBACK: Automatic Mode
Once an extraction is recorded in Manual... repeat the exact recipe saved to an Automatic position. Keep in mind that some calibration may be necessary!
  1. Scroll Encoder Knob to Mode Select and choose <Automatic>:
    1. Barista Dashboard will change to display:
      1. Time - WT - Temp - STM
        1. Automatic  is the default mode upon start up.
  2. Gather tools:
    1. Vessel & Espresso Scale.
  3. Prepare espresso with considerate puck preparation.
  4. Actuate to previously saved recipe.
    1. Saved recipe will reproduce the recorded Manual extraction and stop once expected weight has been achieved!
  5. Observe extraction yield on scale:
    1. If > 1.5g from expected yield. Continue to calibrate step.
Idea
In order for the volumetrics to remain accurate. The weight on the scale must match the weight on the Steam Single's display. Many factors detailed at the top of this guide affect volumetric accuracy and consistency. Adjusting dose amount, grind, and even coffee(!) while in Automatic Mode will have a significant effect on how water moves through the brew circuit. It is always suggested that if coffee parameters change. Return to Step 1 in the Record & Playback process.

Step 3: Calibrate
If target yield measures less or greater than 1.5g from what was expected. A quick adjustment must be made to calibrate the volumetrics.
  1. While in Automatic Mode, scroll to Calibrate Weight.
  2. Choose Shot Position.
  3. Following prompt will present Expected WT and Shot WT.
    1. User is only able to adjust Shot WT.
  4. Input Shot WT to the nearest half gram.
  5. Repeat Step 2.
Info
SLAYER recommends Step 3: Calibrate no more than 2 or 3 times while attempting to dial in volumetric recipes. If more than 3 attempts are required. It is recommended to analyze puck preparation and start from Step 1. 

Reminder! Coffee is a dynamic ingredient and despite all attempts to be precise, outliers exist. 


Troubleshooting:
  1. SLAYER Steam Single Error Codes
Puck Preparation:
Steam Single 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. This will ensure the volumetric programing process does not overlap with the coffee dialing in process. 

Calibration Faults:

Attempting to save a Manual recipe using Save Last Shot with Pre-Infusion exceeding 10 seconds results in an Invalid Shot error. This is a known issue where the resolution is to limit Pre-Infusion to less than 10 seconds.  

Mechanical Faults:
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
​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.


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

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