Which pump goes in your espresso machine depends a bit on which kind of espresso machine you have. If you have a domestic espresso machine the chance is likely that it is a vibration pump, but if you have a commercial espresso machine then it is likely that your espresso machine has a rotatory vane pump. Below we will discuss the various pumps used on espresso machines and their accessories used on it.
Rotary vane pumps
The rotatory vane espresso machines pumps are in almost every case used on a commercial espresso machine, in some cases a domestic espresso machine has one installed. These pumps are in most cases made from low lead brass or in Stainless steel. There are for espresso machine pumps 3 manufacturers: Procon, Fluid o Tech(Rotoflow) and Nuert. Where Nuert and Fluid O Tech are Italian companies is Procon a Irish manufacturer.
Flange Type
The most common flange used on coffee machine pumps is a clamp on version. The pump is clamped to the flange of the motor with a stainless steel bracket. This type of flange is used with brands such as Astoria, Wega, Marzocco, La Pavoni, Bezzera, Nuova Simonelli, Victoria Arduino and so on.
The less common flange type is the bolt on model. This type of pump is solely used on espresso machines of the La Cimbali Group, so you will find this on Casadio, Faema and La Cimbali espresso machines. This flange type can have 2 holes or 3, depending on the manufacturer.
Pump capacity
The capacity of the pump depends mainly on the amount of brewing groups, so the expected production you are going to do with your espresso machine. You do see that for a single group espresso machine a 50 L/H pump is plenty enough. For 2/4 brewing groups you see that a capacity of 180/200L/H is used.
Fitting
Always keep an eye on the listed thread sizes, seen they are not all the same. There are 2 types one is the 3/8” BSP-G and the other one is the 3/8” NPT. These fittings are not interchangeable seen one is straight and the other one tapered.
Shaft type
Various brands use a variety of shaft types. The most common shaft form is the rectangular version, this is used on almost espresso machine brand. But there are also other types of special pump shafts, as you expected this is with the La Cimbali group the case. They have 2 model types, the D shaft and the small square shaft. For these shafts you need a coupler set. A coupler set is made up out of 2 female flanges and in between a rubber coupler.
Accessories
For these types of pumps you can find a variety of accessories, you do need to think of filter. This filter prevents that any foreign debris will enter the pump, which might cause damage to the pump. Or water in and outlet hoses, these are normally made from braided stainless steel with a EPDM inner lining.
Vibration pumps
The vibration pump is a lot smaller then the pump above, so you will make your espresso machine a lot more compact and a lot less expensive then the traditional assemblies with a pump and motor. For that reason you will find a Vibration pump mainly on domestic espresso machines.
There are various manufacturers of vibration pumps, the most famous of them is Ulka. Other manufacturers of these pumps are Olab and Fluid o Tech(Rotoflow).
There are a variety of sizes and shapes of pumps, if we stay at the Ulka pumps. They can run on 110V or on 230V. The inlet of the pump has a small hose connection. On the other side of the pump you have the outlet side. This has a 1/8” BSP-G thread, in some cases this is made from brass and other cases from plastic. Seen this is a vibration pump it is placed on 2 dampers, preventing vibration of the espresso machine.
The vibration pumps can also be equipped with a variety of accessories such as over pressure valves, bypass valves, flow regulators and a fitting bar.
If you are not entirely sure which pump parts you need for your espresso machines, don’t hesitate to contact Brooks Parts and we might be able to help you out with this.
