The installation of Silicone Sponge Boiler Insulation is made quite simple using our kit!
The 1/2" thick rectangular piece is precut to fit around the boiler, held in place by cable ties. The 1/4" top piece fits over the top of the boiler & is held in place with the top plates of the exterior stainless piece of the cabinet. Olympia design is SO simple & straight forward that the entire top & exterior back cabinet is removed by loosening the top nut which threads onto the opening of the boiler.
The boiler on our machine is covered with the 'mysterious fibrous compound' - many speculate that this may be an asbestos containing material, as the coating on ours is tight, not flaking, and not degrading in any way, we have elected to leave it in place, undisturbed, and cover it with the insulation. (some Cremina machines do not have this coating on the boiler). In either case the insulation blanket is cut to fit OVER this coating if it is present or not present. The coating is about 1/16" thick.
Proceeding with the installation - the rectangular piece is inserted through the left side of the boiler, working the edge between the boiler & the front metal piece, UNDER the lip edge. You will note on the material that there is a small notch at the bottom edge - this will fit over a corresponding metal piece located at the bottom edge to the left of the boiler.
Once the left edge is worked nicely into place, begin inserting the right edge by carefully moving the wiring aside as much as possible and sliding the right edge between the boiler & the wiring, snug into place, complete the 'cylinder' of foam around the boiler.
The next step is to secure the foam in place using the 2 cable ties. One below the wiring junction box, and one above it. Insert the cable tie pointed end, from the left toward the right side. Our preference is for a very sanitary installation, without excess - the cable tie is just long enough, though you may need a pair of pliers to pull it through till it secures with the proper tightness.
Place the top disk over the neck of the boiler, and reassemble the outer housing & top plates, securing the top plate with the nut (you may have to push down evenly on the round plate to be sure there is a nice tight fit).
Our personal preference has been to install our insulating thermal blanket without the use of adhesives, tape, or anything metallic or irreversably permanent - this insulation can be easily removed, and with new cable ties, reinstalled as easy the 2nd time as it was installed the first! If you wish to use a high temperature adhesive to bond the foam to the boiler, we do have a source for the correct adhesive, however using adhesive is permanent.
This job takes 5-10 minutes usually, you may need a wrench to loosen/tighten the top bolt, and a pair of pliers, but we think you've find this to be a very satisfying upgrade to your Cremina - increased thermostability, reduced cycling of the element, and a bit of electricity saved! Once again - enjoy your Espresso!
