Smeg ECF01CRAU (Cream) Questions & Answers
VerifiedMPNs: 679661 and ECF01CRAU
My machine will do coffee shots but the steam wand won’t work the light is orange so I performed a descale but the solution only pumped through the boiler not the wand and yes I did have the knob turned to steam
Dear Leanne M., Could you please email diamondservice@smeg.com.au with your name, address and contact number? Once they have this information, they will contact you directly. Regards Smeg
Hi! I’ve acquired a SMEG ECF01 machine yesterday and I have been testing it. I followed all the “first set up” steps and for doing espressos everything looks to work good, however for steaming and getting hot water two things happen: 1) for the two past actions it is common that the machine makes a noise as if water is pumping and don’t know if that is normal (the few videos I found seems to be really quiet) 2) when I press the steam button and it keeps stable then I move the steam lever for getting out any water in an empty jar. Once this is done I move the steam lever for frothing milk but the machine produces steam only for a pair of seconds, After that the lights of espresso (button 1 and 2) starts blinking and then I have to cool down the boiler. So I just have few seconds of steam and machine seems to heat a lot. All this meanwhile having the “pumping” kind noise.
My machine is making noise but not allowing coffee to filter through. Have tried cleaning the filter baskets with no luck so I’m not sure what to do.
Hi, My Smeg coffee machine ran out of water when producing a cup of coffee. I refilled the water tank and now it is just making a noise and not pumping water or producing coffee. This is the first time that it ran of water mid cycle. Any help would be great. I have turned it off and on again!
Hi Todd P., Take an empty jug and place it under the steam spout, bring the steam level down and wait until the water starts to come out of the spout. Bring the level back up and the machine is primed and ready for use. Regards Smeg
I think my Smeg espresso machine has an issue with the pressure. Without the coffee holder attached it pumps water through, but when I attach the holder and put grinds into the holder it won’t push the water through into the cup. I’ve tried grinding more coarsely, less coarsely… but nothing works. I’ve had one of these machines for about 6 years and use it every day so I’m confident that I’m not doing anything different but this morning it suddenly won’t work for me. Please help?!
Ok, so I’ve solved this quite quickly. Instead of deleting my original post I will type an update in case it’s helpful to anyone suffering the same issue. I had envisaged pump issues and having to buy new a new machine, but it was actually incredibly simple: I gave the coffee holder a really good wash (I did used to do this regularly but now I used pipe cleaners to get up into the two holes on the bottom). I also replaced the filter cup with an old one I had kept in the drawer from a previous Smeg machine…. And then it was fixed. The problem was therefore blockage of grinds in the holder and filter. I feel a bit foolish, but at least it’s sorted. Hope this is helpful.
I remove the basket & rinse the handle unit & basket every time I finish making coffees, but now my 2 shot basket seems blocked. I'm assuming there's super fine particles in the basket somewhere. I've stuck the tip of a needle into the single hole in the basket but it hasn't worked. I'll put it in the dishwasher & see how that goes, or boil the basket in a pot on the stove for a while. I just don't see how these "double skinned" baskets can be cleaned. Did you ascertain if your basket was blocked as well?
Like you, I have no way of knowing whether or not it is. Because I cleaned out the holes on the bottom of the main holder as well as swapping the filter basket, then I cannot tell which of these issues was causing the problem (possibly a little of both though). I saw someone else had a reply direct from Smeg saying they would send them new filter cups so maybe it’s worth a try contacting them direct? Or could you try it with the single shot cup if you still have that somewhere? Although in my experience, when my previous espresso machine broke after 3 years Smeg weren’t interested in helping me troubleshoot: they just took my old machine for recycling and sent me a brand new machine (complete with full 2 year warranty) asking me to pay a top up of just £100, which on balance I decided was a deal worth taking. I’m in the UK by the way.
I posted my review of the machine & got a reply back from Smeg the same day. The representative (Australia) said they will send me a replacement 2 cup filter basket. I looked at the gasket where the filter holder handle locks into, and the gasket looked fine - no obvious splits or damage. My machine is just a few months old & I thought the gasket might have blown from the build up of back pressure. I did try using the 1 cup filter basket when the 2 cup clogged up, but water was was still leaking everywhere. Maybe the gasket had become too soft from the heat & back pressure from when I was trying to use the 2 cup filter. I just gave up then. Perhaps I should have tried using the 1 cup filter after everything had cooled down? I haven't received the replacement 2 cup filter yet, but I'll try using the 1 cup filter on a cold machine & see if the gasket leaks. It shouldn't, hopefully, because I never use the 1 cup or the pod cup. I'll get back to you. Maybe try the customer service email if a rep doesn't get back to you about a replacement filter cup?
Hey, I had the same issue. I boiled the baskets in vinegar for 20 minutes then rinsed them and that solved the issue.
I have a unit that leaks. The water is coming from between the tank and the base of the unit. No water has entered the unit. When I stand the tank on it's own, filled with water, it does not leak. I guess one or both the seals on the base need replacing. Are these parts available? < and how easy are they to fit?>> Regards, Ron
Sounds expensive. The manual suggests taking it in for a service
Hello After brewing espresso, I push the steam button place the milk under the steamer wand and pull the lever forward, to start steaming milk, and my machine will only steam for a few seconds. I can hear the pump it will only pump three times and then no more pressure. Then the steam light will turn orange and all the buttons will start flashing. No more steam.
Hi Trish, You need to wait for the steam light to stop flashing and turn orange before pulling the lever down to steam milk. Otherwise, the boiler is not hot enough to produce steam. Regards Smeg
I thought orange light meant time to descale
Hi! I have a couple (hopefully) quick questions.
I've put my temperature setting for espresso shot to high but the temperature of the espresso isn't very hot. Is there anything I can do to make sure the heaters are working properly?
When making a single or double espresso shot, water leaks from the milk frother wand. I'm worried that it means I'm losing pressure in the espresso shot. Is there any maintenance I can do to fix this?
Thanks!
Hi Mikail R., Thanks for your enquiry. To ensure your espresso is hot, preheat the cup with hot water from the steam wand. If the water continues to drip, please email diamondservice@smeg.com.au with your details and they will be able to assist you. Regards Smeg
Hi I’ve had my machine for a year now and have always loved it with no issues but it is now not frothing the milk properly. The frothing function makes a really high screeching horrible noise (not the normal noise - way way worse) and seems to burn the milk, and the milk doesn’t get frothy anymore, just burning hot. I’ve descaled it every time it has asked me to and I always use the machine as per the instructions. What could be wrong with it? Very frustrating as I can’t rely on it for a nice coffee anymore. Thanks Emily
Hi Emily, Thanks for your enquiry. Have you removed the milk frothing wand and cleaned it thoroughly? There could be a blockage in the air intake and this is why the milk is not frothing correctly. Regards Smeg
Hello, did this get resolved? I am experiencing the exact same issues. Have cleaned the wand and descaled but made no difference
Was there a solution to this problem? I am experiencing the same problem
I have the same issue after only 6 weeks of use. Cleaning the wand doesn’t help. Milk just looks curdled and hot - makes for a terrible drink.
I also have the same issue, it shoots out water but no steam/air. I have cleaned it so there are no blockages and still having the same issue!
Hi everyone. I had this same problem. I purchased a new rubber nozzle that goes inside the silver outer layer. When I removed the old one I noticed that it wasn’t a small hole anymore and rather jagged. I purchased the part on eBay and it fixed it right up.
It now froths the milk again and doesn’t make the horrible screeching sound anymore.
I hope this helps some of you
Hi Michael, I am having the same issue and am going to buy a new rubber nozzle. Do you have a link for the item on ebay as I am struggling to find it. Thanks for your help, Emma
Hi all, I have a similar issue - there is just a sound and a bit of steam but it neither warms the milk or froths it. I descaled the machine, cleaned the nozzle but no result. Thanks!
Hey sorry I have not gotten back to you guys sooner. I ended up emailing smeg and this was the response they gave I would start with cleaning the steam wand following the instructions on Page 19 of the instruction booklet. It is best if they can soak the metal tube and rubber tip in hot water for 30 mins for any dried milk to break down. Lastly, there is a small channel moulded into the inside of the metal tubing. Sometimes a very small amount of milk can build up in this channel and effect milk texturing. This can be cleaned with a small bristle brush (eg. A drinking straw cleaner brush).
^^ guys this did the trick, especially the small bristle brush as described above. So now I do that every now and then and with each descale. Hope this helps.
Hi. We love our smeg espresso coffee machine but recently when we add coffee to the filter holder water won’t flow through. We have also tried it without adding coffee and no water flows through. Water will only flow through when the filter holder is not connected..It has only started happening recently and we haven’t changed our coffee.. any advice appreciated as the coffee machine is less than 12 months old
Hi Ciara, Thanks for your enquiry. What filter are you experiencing this problem with, the one cup or two cup filter? Regards Smeg
It is with both filters
Hi Ciara, Have you changed the grind size of the coffee? If the coffee is too fine, water will not flow through. Regards Smeg
No we haven’t changed the grind recently. We did make that mistake in the past with decaf so we always ensure that the coffee is a coarse texture in order to filter through. We even tried it without any coffee in the filter and water wouldn’t even come through. When we released the filter you could hear the release of pressure from the filter
Hi Ciara, We have DM you, so we can send you out a new set of filters Regards Smeg
Hi I am also having this problem but just with the two cup one.
I have the same problem. The water will come through the filter is there are no coffee grounds, but not when there are grinds. Could it be the water pressure?
Hi Derek B., You will need to adjust the coffee grind. If it's too fine, water will not flow through. Regards Smeg
The water does not come through even with no coffee at all in the filter, so adjusting the coffee grind will not make it any better for me now that the problem has already presented itself. There is something inside the filter blocking the water, probably smaller particles of coffee that have gotten stuck. I have tried to clean mine by soaking it in hot water for hours to no avail. It has now happened with both the single and double shot filters.
After preparing 2 espresso coffees and then steaming milk perfectly; both of the coffee symbols flash and cannot be cancelled to make further coffees without turning the machine off and back on. What am I doing wrong??
Hi J Mac, Thanks for your enquiry. When you finish frothing milk, place an empty jug under the spout and bring the lever forward, hot water will stop coming out as soon as the boiler has cooled down. Return the lever to the upright position and you can make further coffees. For further information, please refer to your instruction manual, Chapter 3.7 How to cool down the boiler. Regards Smeg
Hi I have had my machine for approx 10 months. After I wait for the lights to stop flashing once the coffee is poured into the cup, the froth light does not flash when I press the button. I usually have to wait another 4-5 min for the froth button to actually flash (I know this is not normal as I have watched the online videos). This in turn affects the way the froth is made. Too much water comes out and the steam pressure seams to have changed and it is not frothing the milk properly. I have descaled the machine every time it asks me to, so I am not sure what the issue is. What advice can you give me to solve this issue?
The water is leaking from the bottom of the machine and no longer brews espresso after several unsuccessful brews.
Dear eason, Could you please email diamondservice@smeg.com.au with your name, address and contact number? Once they have this information, they will be in direct contact with you. Regards Smeg
I have descaled as per instructions and the steam light is still orange - what do we do now
Hi Teenwolf1, When you do a rinse cycle and the machine stops once the tank is empty, please the steam button again to purge any remaining water from the system. The orange light will switch off. Regards Smeg
My machine seems to be stuck in reset/default constantly and won’t work. The machine turns on and the 2 cups flash like normal after it warms up the 3 buttons flash constantly and I can’t do anything with my machine. It won’t go back to normal. Has anyone experienced this?
I haven't. I checked in the manual under the cleaning and care section - your machine has a possible fault (no sh#t!) so it should be unplugged. You are to contact an authorised service centre apparently.
I got a new Smeg espresso machine today. I’m trying to make a simple espresso but only a couple of drops come out a time. There is enough water and the machine is warmed up. I put in one scoop of Axil ground coffee, tampered it (have tampered hard and soft to see if it’s that) and let it run. Each time, around four or five drops come out.
I am concerned that my three filters don’t actually have holes on the bottom. Do they need that or not? There’s a small puncture where it looks like there should be a hole piercing through but there’s metal.
Help needed and appreciated.
Hi O Sale, Thanks for your enquiry. If you're finding that the coffee doesn't pour, the grind is too fine. Adjust the grind a little coarser and you will find the coffee will pour correctly. Regards Smeg
Thanks Rodney, I’ll try that. Is there a standard measurement or coarseness I need to aim for? Also, does the filter need to have a hole in the bottom? Neither of my three do.
You don’t need to put holes in the holders as my work without doing that. I think you just get it ground for an espresso machine. My grinder is set to number 4 but not sure if that is a standard grind Setting it’s from the smeg grinder. Do you have enough water at the back?
Hi guys, I’m having a issue with my current machine. The machine is fine at making the coffee shots however when I press to start frothing the milk, as it builds up steam before turning the knob, steam begins to come through the espresso outlet and building up pressure when the espresso handle is still attached. It has only started yesterday, have descaled and cleaned out but still no joy? Any help very welcome. Thank you
Hi,Contact Smeg customer service and Have your receipt ready as they ask date of purchase etc.
Hi Ryan. Thank you for reaching out in regards to your Coffee machine. Can you please contact us so we can assist you with the problems you have mentioned. Please send us your full name, address and a contact telephone number along with a picture of the appliance and the base showing the serial number on it. Our email address is service@smeg.com.au and please mark to the attention of Lesley. Kind regards, Smeg Australia.
The water runs through my machine fine and I’ve descaled it and cleaned the filter. However, when I press the double cup button the water stops flowing sooner than it should, putting out only half the amount expected. This is a sudden and new fault. The single cup button appears to put out the correct amount. Smeg’s response was that the machine is irreparable and should be just thrown away but this seems too extreme for a machine which mostly works fine. Please advise?
Hi Hwr202, There isn't a fault with your machine. You will need to reprogram the amount of water for the 2 cup button. To do this, place the cup/cups under the spout. Press and hold down the 2 cup button and only release it once you have the correct amount of water in the cups. The new amount of water is now memorised. Regards Smeg
Hi,
The machine works fine when I make a coffee and then press the steamer button to froth the milk. However after I use the steamer for the milk, I am unable to make another coffee as the two espressos frantically blink. I can only make another coffee unless I turn the machine off and on again.
Is this a fault in the machine as I have only had it 4 weeks?
Victor
Hi Victor - refer to page 7 of the manual under cleaning and care - how to cool down the boiler - this should answer your query.
Hi there My Smeg coffee machine is around 2 years old The steam button regularly turns orange & I descale accordingly. However this time the steam button is flashing orange? I can’t seem to get past it, for example pressing the steam button for 10 seconds is not activating descaling as it normally does. The steam wand won’t work at all while it’s flashing, however the espresso does still pour. Thanks in advance Nicola
Hi Nicola1983, Thank you for your enquiry. Could you please email service@smeg.com.au with your name, address and contact number along with a photo of the data plate on the base of the machine. Please mark the email to the attention of Lesley. Once she has this information, she will be in direct contact with you. Regards Smeg
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