Just thought I would share this:
One afternoon last week I arrived home with my little bag of freshly ground beans from Monmouth Coffee with eager anticipation (as I do about twice a week as I still don't have my own grinder), I always try to hurry home so I can have the freshest experience possible. While you all are lucky enough to experience this pleasure daily, I have to enjoy it while it lasts... an afternoon at the most.
The previous grind was a bit course so I had them grind slightly finer. So as usual I filled the portafilter, tamped, etc...
But when I switched on the machine (Innova Dream) the coffee failed to appear, even after several seconds and the pressure guage was as high as I have ever seen it, almost 15bar. Clearly something was wrong. I switched off the machine, waited a moment and then slowly started to release the portafilter...
I am a little uncertain of the moments that followed, but I think I remember a popping sound, and the next thing I knew, I was standing covered in grounds surrounded by coffee walls, with what I can only imagine was a very shocked look on my face. It was then I realised, my Dream had exploded!
I can only take this as a sign that I really should buy a grinder.
Has anythings like this ever happened to anyone? How is it possible for that much pressure to bulid up. Is it the machine or just the grind that was the problem (it has been more or less okay since)?
Thanks
Shannoncita