Tips & Tricks
We have a large, dedicated team of Ninjas, providing a depth of experience and flexibility from across the industry to enable us to help you when you most need us.
FAQ's.
Questions and answers
Tips & Tricks
Useful information
How often do I need to clean and service my machine?
A good rule of thumb for home is backflush daily, clean with espresso salts weekly, and service every 1-2 years. For commercial sites backflush through the day, clean with salts every night, and service every 4-6 months.
Will you service my machine at my house or office?
Yes! If your machine is plumbed in, or you can’t get your machine to our workshop we can come to you in the greater Wellington region. Bringing your machine into us in store will save you the call out fee
Priority bookings (can I get my machine back by the weekend?)
Machine broken but you can’t bear the thought of being without your machine for too long? Make a priority booking and skip the queue.Â
Can you install my machine?
Of course! We regularly install/plumb in both domestic and commercial machines. We can quote on a case by case basis.Â
How important is a good grinder?
Very! The grinder actually does the most work to get the perfect shot of espresso. We recommend not cheaping out on your grinder, as they see the most wear, and you want the quality of the grinder to stand up to the quality of your machine. Fresh ground coffee will always be best, and will give you the most control over your coffee.Â
How much will it cost to service my machine?
We don’t have a one-size fits all approach, as we often find this ends up in nasty surprises. The price will differ depending on the age, brand, and how well it has been looked after. We are always happy to provide you with an estimate before going ahead with work so there are no surprises.
Do you service grinders?
Yes – we service and repair both commercial and domestic grinders. Bring your grinder in at the same time as your machine for the most time and cost effective results.
Do you provide technical support for roasteries?
Absolutely! We have long standing relationships with small to large scale roasteries all over the country. We’re happy to support you in any capacity – be it filling in on jobs you’re too busy to get to, to providing servicing and repairs for all of your greater Wellington locations. If you’ve had a cup of coffee in Wellington, chances are we’ve worked on the machine at one point or another!
How far do you travel for technical support?
We cover the greater Wellington region, including Wairarapa, Kapiti, and we even organise regular service trips to Whanganui.Â
Do you fix automatic machinery?
Yes – on top of being a registered Jura agent, we also service and repair a much wider range of automatic equipment. Drop us a line at info@espressoninja.co.nz and we’ll let you know if we can fix it!
Why should I buy a quality machine over a cheaper department store brand?
We strongly believe in making sure the least machines as possible are going into landfill. There are endless reasons to go for a handcrafted machine over something mass produced – but the reason we keep coming back to is repairability and longevity. Many of our customers have well-loved machines that are still going strong after 20 years – the same can’t be said for machines with plastic parts that become defunct after a few years because the parts have been discontinued.Â
What is a PID Temperature Controller?
PID stands for Proportional, Integral, Derivative. A PID temperature controller, as its name implies, is an instrument used to control temperature, mainly without extensive operator involvement. In relation to your espresso machine – the PID controller gives you fast and accurate temperature control, so you can bring out the best flavour in your espresso.
Do I need a dual boiler machine?
Well, the short answer is no – however there are benefits to both single boiler with heat exchange and dual boiler machines. It pays to make your decision on a case by case basis. It’s a common misconception that you need a dual boiler to make espresso and steam milk at the same time. You can do this easily with a heat exchange machine, in fact most commercial machines run off a single boiler! A dual boiler (machine dependent) can give you the ability to change boiler temperatures individually, and prioritise either your steam or brew boiler. Some dual boiler machines will limit your steam capacity depending on size – so always do your homework, or come and ask us in store!
What is the difference between vibration pump and rotary pump machines?
Vibration pumps are smaller, inexpensive, and tend to be easier to replace. Rotary pumps are quieter, offer more consistent pressure, and generally have longer lifespans. Vibration pumps are noticeably louder when running. If you are intending to plumb your machine into your mains supply you will need to purchase a machine with a rotary pump.Â
Do you do training?
Yes! For every full priced domestic machine and grinder combo purchase over $3000 we offer a one-hour complimentary training at our Black Belt Barista store. We are working on more advanced training packages in the future – watch this space! ***This does not include pre-discounted package deals
Do you work weekends and public holidays?
Yes. Our retail store is open on Saturdays, as well as always having a ninja on call 24/7 365 days a year. Weekend and Public holiday call out fees apply.Â
Do you buy/sell second hand machines?
Yes, however on a case by case basis depending on brand and quality of the machine. Email us for further information.Â
Do you sell coffee?
We don’t! We like to consider ourselves the Switzerland of coffee – we work alongside so many fantastic roasteries that we couldn’t possibly choose one brand to sell!
How do I become an Espresso Ninja?
Keep an eye out on our social media accounts for upcoming opportunities.Â
TIPS & TRICKS
