We service and repair all espresso machines and grinder brands we sell, but regret we cannot offer parts, service nor support for some brands of espresso machine. We don’t service appliance/superauto machines such as Saeco, De Longhi, Jura, Breville, Sunbeam, Lelit or Nespresso, nor Gaggia. You may be best to contact the local offices of the manufacturer for service advice on these brands.
Well maintained equipment will give a lifetime of reliable service and produce superb coffee. There are some simple maintenance tasks which you should incorporate into your routine to best look after your equipment. Check out our maintenance guide.
In general, we suggest that your machine be serviced at 6-12 monthly (office machines), or at 18-24 month intervals. If a home use machine has previously received our service, it should be fine for up to 2 years if well cared for. Should you have a more complex machine: eg saturated group and/or pressure profiling machines such as (but not limited to): LaMarzocco GS3 MP, recent VBM Domobar Super 2B, Rocket Espresso Biccocca/R Nine One, San Remo You, we do recommend yearly service.
Our highly qualified technicians will ensure that your machine will be returned to you clean and operating like (or better than) new! When regular service is skipped, components which would normally be lubricated will wear more rapidly. Other maintenance will likely be missed. The result overall will be increased costs due to premature failure of some parts and seals.
Your grinder hopper should be cleaned each week and the grind chamber should be cleaned every 2-3 months. We also service grinders.
Time for a service?/Conditions of service.
Request a booking for your service. Our next available dates are for drop off are during advertised trading hours on November 30, December 2 and 3, December 7, 9 and 10. December 14, 16 and 17 which will be our final dropoff dates for 2024. Our service facility will then close until mid-late January 2025.
Once you have requested your service, we’ll respond and ask you to purchase a service prepayment fee which is part payment and contributes directly towards your service costs. Check your spam if you have not seen a response. Your equipment will be booked for service only once you have paid your booking fee and we will confirm your booking with a meeting invite as well as an email confirmation of your booking. Check your spam if you do not see these.- All equipment booked and received for service must be accompanied by our service authorisation. Please ensure you have submitted it to us via email or alternately you may print one and affix it to your machine if you prefer.
- We will not accept a machine for service without a booking and a service authorisation.
- A $10 administration fee is applied to all cancellations with over 24 hours notice. Any associated card or PayPal fees are also forfeited.
- A no show or a cancellation with under 24 hours of notice results in forfeit of your booking fee and cancellation of your service booking. There are no exceptions to the requirement that you (or someone on your behalf) pay us the courtesy of informing us should your plans change.
The bonuses of espresso machine service with Talk Coffee
- Warranty: 3 month warranty on parts replaced during your repair or service (excluding consumables and control/autofill board refurbishment).
- We’re highly trained: We’re highly experienced and perform service and repair work to the highest of standards. No token repairs nor corner-cutting.
- We’ll estimate your costs: Repairs can be expensive. We can estimate the cost of your service when we see you and your machine. If you’re looking for cheap service, we’re not for you.
- Quick turnaround: We complete the overwhelming majority of service tasks within 5 working days.
- We care: We want your machine to produce the best coffee possible and will do our utmost to ensure it does. We’re enthusiasts too!
What do I need to do before my service?
- Empty the tank of your machine and then return it to the machine. We need you to bring the tank and drip tray with you…. If your machine has an external controller, please bring that too.
- Did we remind you to bring the tank and drip tray? Bring the tank and drip tray with you!
- If your machine is set to plumbed in mode, please set it back to tank mode.
- Please give your machine a token clean! Our technicians dislike dead cockroaches, grease, long-term buildup and mould as much as you do!
- Leave the extra bits (portafilters/drip tray covers, tank covers and portafilters) at home because if they can fall off and be misplaced, chances are that they will! Just bring your machine complete with tank and drip tray if applicable. We don’t service cartons and packaging, portafilters, drip tray covers, cup guards and tank covers, so there is no need to include them.
FAQ of espresso machine service. Please read these before you deliver your espresso machine to us.
- I think I might need a warranty repair. If you believe that your machine may require any warranty issues attended to, it’s essential that you discuss your case with us before appointing any service agent. Our warranty conditions can be found here. Please either call or contact us prior to any warranty service of your machine as we cannot provide cover for unauthorised service.
- How do I find you? Talk Coffee is located here
- When are you open? We are the little business that can. Our trading hours are variable (sometimes we have to be on the road). Check our opening hours before you head to us.
- Do I need to make a service booking? Yes. We will not accept your equipment without a booking. This ensures we manage our workload and that service and repairs are completed promptly.
What do you do when you service my equipment?
e-61 espresso machine: Comprehensive/routine service (Approx. time requirement: Single boiler 1.5 hours, Heat Exchanger 2 hours, Dual boiler 2.5 hours @$150/ph + parts cost). This includes-
- visual inspection of externals- including gauges and globes. Note and report any items of concern
- visual inspection of boiler (a fail would require a platinum service)
- visual inspection of main pipework for corrosion or evidence of scale (a fail would require a platinum service)
- visual inspection of element for seal at boiler and water leakage at terminals (a fail would require a platinum service)
- visual inspection of mushroom/ mushroom cavity/group valves for scaling. Brush and flush as required
- camera inspection for descale if required (a fail would require a platinum service)
- inspect and clean autofill probe
- inspect and replace anti-vac o-ring. Replace entire valve if required
- lubricate/check microswitch engagement
- remove, ultrasonic clean and reinstall dispersion disk. Replace if required
- remove, ultrasonic clean and reinstall valve components and all group components
- fit service kit containing all typical consumables for group, mushroom and steam/hot water valves. Measure group valves against new and either shim or replace as required. Reprofile or replace leva cam if required
- clean of machine externals
- Scace test for operating pressure and normal pump ramp. Adjust if required
- bench test min 2 hours. Monitor upper boiler pressure and adjust/replace pressurestat/PID if required
- verify correct operation of all machine functions
- any other minor repairs as required. All parts for your service are at additional cost and labour charges
Other espresso machine: Comprehensive/routine service:
- The above procedure is varied as required
Espresso Machine: Major (Platinum) service includes above service PLUS any additional labour and parts as required-
- attend to any service fail items
- descale if required
- electrical and/or plumbing repairs as required
- extended bench test (generally overnight)
- major repairs as required
- deep clean of your machine (steam, detergent and/or solvent as required)
Grinder: General service (from $75 + parts. 30min). This includes-
- check service authorisation sheet and note client comments
- visual inspection of grinder. Pre-service power up and check for correct operation
- disassemble and clean and clear grind chamber and chute
- remove burrs from burr carrier and clear any bean debris. Reassemble
- inspect and report on burr condition. Replace if required
- attend to any required repairs (Extra cost platinum item)
- lubricate, reassemble and calibrate to approximate espresso zone
- inspect, clean and reassemble grind chamber where present
- clean grinder exterior
- note resolutions to client reported issues and verify correct operation
How much all up?
We can provide a verbal (rough) estimate when you drop your machine off for service or if you wish, a more accurate estimate can be provided for $100. Please purchase your quote prior to booking your machine. The quote rolls into your service charges should you proceed with service. It is surrendered should you decide against a service. Our labour rate is $150 p/h inc. GST charged in 0.25 hour increments. Our tech staff are very highly qualified and we remunerate them accordingly.
And if I don’t ask for a quote?
We’ll commence the works and assuming no surprises, we’ll send an invoice for payment once the works are complete. If there are any surprises we’ll call, SMS or email you. Should you decide to cease the job when partially complete, you are liable for all parts and labour to that point and labour required to “close up” your machine.
How long?
We’ll let you know your machine is ready for a pick up via by emailing an invoice with links for payment to you. Please allow up to 10 weekday working days from drop offs prior to contacting us for updates. If we’re on the phone to you, we’re not doing repairs!
When can I collect my serviced gear?
Your invoice will provide details for collection. If you have settled your invoice using a card payment, you’re good to go! For payments made via PayID, Osko or Pay Anyone services, we regret that we cannot release your machine until we have cleared funds to our account. We are finding that some Osko instant payments are far from instant and whilst the majority do clear rapidly, they can take up to two days with some banks- especially with first payments. We acknowledge that these delays can be frustrating for all parties.
What happens if I don’t pay/decide to surrender my machine or don’t arrive to collect it?
All service and repairs must be collected within 1 week of completion of works after which we will apply a storage charge of $40/week. Should any equipment be left unclaimed in our workshop for over 1 calendar month and our phone and email contact attempts be ignored, ownership of the equipment will automatically transfer to Talk Coffee. The equipment will be sold or parted out to recover costs. Accounts unpaid after 30 days will result in surrender of your equipment.
Can I repair my own machine?
In general, we would advise against this. We frequently spend lots of time repairing damage done by well-intentioned owners. In addition, 230V power is lethal, so if you’re not qualified, best leave things to someone who is! If you are remote and a client of Talk Coffee, we may be able to provide you with some phone advice but regret that we cannot legally provide you with a how to guide requiring anything more than a spanner or screwdriver.
Do you offer same day service for remote clients?
We are not able to currently offer this service. We will however work with you to prioritise your works for the most rapid works possible.
Can I send my machine to you?
Yes, but we will not accept any liability for any damage incurred in transit to or from us- ideally in OEM packaging and on a protective wooden or plastic skid. Client to organise own return transport. We can recommend suitable freight operations to transport your gear.
But I’m not in Melbourne!
- For those in the vicinity of Geelong and the Surf Coast, we highly recommend Peter Cairis of Coffee Physics. Peter is located in Geelong and offers service and support for all commercial equipment and domestic gear as well. Peter also offers a pickup and drop-off service for those with prosumer equipment
- If you’re in Brisbane, we recommend: Espresso Breakdown
- In Sydney, we recommend: Espresso Company Australia and Di Bartoli.
- In Perth, we recommend: Dimattina Coffee WA in Osborne Park
- Hobart, Adelaide and regional? We have recommended service techs in many areas around Australia. Call or contact us for assistance.
What about the brands you can’t service?
- In most cases, you will be best to contact the manufacturer to locate your nearest service agent.
- Espressofix can repair Breville, Gaggia, Saeco and Lelit.
Do you do on-site or in home repairs?
Sorry, but we regret we cannot offer this service as our service is thorough and extensive. Our opinion is that this work needs to be done properly or there are frequently items which are omitted or overlooked.