Just when I thought I’d made a year of trouble free ownership my Bianca has starting making a subtle hissing noise when warmed up. It’s definitely quiet but noticeable. I haven’t taken the top off yet but wondered if there’s any common issues to watch for when I open it up. Thanks

take the top off and check things. It’s normal for the machine to make a hissing noise when warming up - that’s the boiler getting to temperature and the vacuum breaker shutting. Maybe you never paid attention to it? Apart from that, hard to tell exactly as there’s not enough detail to follow.

MediumRoastSteam Thanks, it’s more after the machine has warmed up, I noticed it just today and yesterday. I’ll have a quick look under the hood and report back.

I’ve noticed my Minima doing the same

Top off time and an examination. One quick check…does it do it with steam boiler off. If no…then off with the top and search around. Look in bottom plates for evidence of weeps which heat expansion turns into hisses/stops altogether. Check Fittings Vacuum Breaker Safety Valve

Ok had a look this morning. The hissing appears to be coming from one of these fittings. It stops when the steam is activated and then starts again when the steam tap is off and then remains constant.

Ernie1 Just need to find out which one now.

I’ve got my ear as close as is safe with the heat and really struggling to determine. Also no evidence of air bubbles or leaks from either. What are the two fittings there?

Ernie1 What are the two fittings there? Top picture: Anti-vac valve (aka Vacuum breaker); bottom picture: Safety valve.

MediumRoastSteam great, thanks. Does the safety valve work somewhat constantly to allow an escape of pressure? Or is it a failsafe only active under problematic circumstances?

You may find using the tube from a roll of kitchen paper as a stethoscope helps to identify the culprit

Bianca making hissing noise when idle

coffeealex

Ernie1 If you contact them 9 times out of 10 they will send you the part. They deal with some warranty work that way, or at least they did in the past with me.

Ernie1

Great, will do. Many thanks all.

dutchy101

So I’ve noticed a little bit of steam risibg from the service boiler when it warms up - this is leading to a little condensation collecting in one of my Bodum cups and I can see it on the outside of my Motta jug which I keep on top of the machine.

I haven’t taken off the cover yet - not sure if this is normal or whether it’s indicative of a leak? Machine is a Minima, but thought I’d keep in a related thread.

MediumRoastSteam

dutchy101 I haven’t taken off the cover yet - not sure if this is normal or whether it’s indicative of a leak?

If it’s as soon as the steam boiler reaches approx. 100C - you’ll hear it and no more hissing afterwards, then it should be normal.

If you see condensation afterwards, then it’s not normal.

So you could let the machine warm up and then place the cup and see if it collects anything afterwards.

As you said yourself, take the top off and go from there.

dutchy101

Great stuff - will do this, thanks!

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