Espresso Enthusiasts

[S.B.G]

Ah, behold how the difference between the Old and New Worlds can be distilled down to (and expressed succinctly in) one post; you guys in the New World see business opportunities everywhere; here, in the Old World, we are happy to consume high quality stuff……the thought of actually crafting an opportunity out of one of life's great pleasures……sounds much too like hard work…….

Now, let me put on my Bialetti and deal with this shock and awe to my system with some high quality coffee…..

Alas, the idea was purely, I assume on Mr. Kurwenal's part, simply to more easily afford the items to make the high quality stuff we enjoy so much. Not so much to make a buck off of it.

I'd love to be able to acquire a GS/3 at a much discounted rate, wouldn't you?

My comment was also a bit of tongue-in-cheek in reference to the grandiose business conglomerate ideas of Squilly.

 

[Kurwenal]

the thought of actually crafting an opportunity out of one of life's great pleasures……sounds much too like hard work…….

Alas, the idea was purely, I assume on Mr. Kurwenal's part, simply to more easily afford the items to make the high quality stuff we enjoy so much. Not so much to make a buck off of it.

Yes, yes, SandboxGeneral has it. The "save a ton" comment was the key. If we had a wholesale business, we could buy at wholesale prices (I do not know the coffee equipment industry, but a savings of 10-30% would not surprise me) and then sell to ourselves at the lower prices. Of course, unless we moved a lot of inventory, the manufacturers would never deal with us....so, sorry but we would each have to buy 5 or 10 GS/3s.......every year.




+++++++

Hey, anyone see anything wrong with this "Victoria Falls" shot?

http://vimeo.com/105438881

 

[S.B.G]

+++++++

Hey, anyone see anything wrong with this "Victoria Falls" shot?

http://vimeo.com/105438881

It appears you have a leak coming out from the top of the PF whereby liquid is coming down from the outside of the PF. And I can see your reflection in the stainless steel!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Alas, the idea was purely, I assume on Mr. Kurwenal's part, simply to more easily afford the items to make the high quality stuff we enjoy so much. Not so much to make a buck off of it.

I'd love to be able to acquire a GS/3 at a much discounted rate, wouldn't you?

My comment was also a bit of tongue-in-cheek in reference to the grandiose business conglomerate ideas of Squilly.

Ah, now what you suggest does find a welcoming and warmly resonating echo in the chambers of my ears…….

A GS/3 at a discounted price……..now, why didn't that occur to me?

I'll also readily admit that the Squilly reference (subtle though it was) went right over my head, and nor had I spotted the reference to the possibilities of wholesale discounting……


Maybe you have something here…….

Yes, yes, SandboxGeneral has it. The "save a ton" comment was the key. If we had a wholesale business, we could buy at wholesale prices (I do not know the coffee equipment industry, but a savings of 10-30% would not surprise me) and then sell to ourselves at the lower prices. Of course, unless we moved a lot of inventory, the manufacturers would never deal with us....so, sorry but we would each have to buy 5 or 10 GS/3s.......every year.




+++++++

Hey, anyone see anything wrong with this "Victoria Falls" shot?

http://vimeo.com/105438881

Well, let us start off in a small, unobtrusive way, as they say……..

But five or ten GS/3s per year? Hm. Even some of the profligate creatures with whom I tend to spend an inordinate amount of my time might just baulk at that…...

 

[Kurwenal]

It appears you have a leak coming out from the top of the PF whereby liquid is coming down from the outside of the PF.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

I have never seen that happen before, other than in a machine that needs a new gasket. Operator error, no doubt.....

And I can see your reflection in the stainless steel!

I am holding up a picture of Shrink.

 

[mobilehaathi]

You folks and your coffee. See now I have to pull another shot for brunch...

 

[S.B.G]

Winner winner chicken dinner!

I have never seen that happen before, other than in a machine that needs a new gasket. Operator error, no doubt.....

Just an amateur guess on my part, but could it be some coffee grounds on the rim of the PF causing the bad seal?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You folks and your coffee. See now I have to pull another shot for brunch...

Yes, us (folks) and our (deranged obsession with our) coffee……..which is, I think, almost the whole point of this corner of civilised but welcoming lunacy on this universe…...

Just an amateur guess on my part, but could it be some coffee grounds on the rim of the PF causing the bad seal?

Hm. Cannot imagine somehow, that this could be the cause (of the bad seal in the PF) in the wonderful world of perfect coffees inhabited and carefully crafted by our mutual friend, Mr Kurwenal…..

 

[Kurwenal]

You folks and your coffee. See now I have to pull another shot for brunch...

Time for the 4 pm shot. Get to it!

Just an amateur guess on my part, but could it be some coffee grounds on the rim of the PF causing the bad seal?

You are far from an amateur, my friend, and that is an outstanding guess.

Typically, with a dirty PF or brew head that prevents a seal, you would see a trickle, but not a waterfall, as happened in that moving picture (in two places).

I have a 42g basket....doesn't quite fit in the Saturated Group. I gave it a shot just for the hell of it, and as I sort of unofficially decided to use every basket I own today.

Yes, us (folks) and our (deranged obsession with our) coffee……..which is, I think, almost the whole point of this corner of civilised but welcoming lunacy on this universe…...

Hey, just wondering, did your Lido 2 ever show up? I've used mine a few times during the marathon today....love it.

Seventy-six shots today. Time for a break.

 

[S.B.G]

You are far from an amateur, my friend, and that is an outstanding guess.

Typically, with a dirty PF or brew head that prevents a seal, you would see a trickle, but not a waterfall, as happened in that moving picture (in two places).

I have a 42g basket....doesn't quite fit in the Saturated Group. I gave it a shot just for the hell of it, and as I sort of unofficially decided to use every basket I own today.

Seventy-six shots today. Time for a break.

A much deserved break, I'm sure. That's a lot shots to pull, though, I think in your last binge practice session you pulled much more, didn't you?

I had a similar issue today and the last time I pulled a shot the other day where, the same 19 grams and approximate same, consistent, tamp pressure actually created too little head space at the top of the PF and I had a difficult, and once, impossible attempt at loading the PF into place. I varied the grind some, but not much. The grinds themselves looked a little dryer than usual. Plus they extracted too quickly as well.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Time for the 4 pm shot. Get to it!



You are far from an amateur, my friend, and that is an outstanding guess.

Typically, with a dirty PF or brew head that prevents a seal, you would see a trickle, but not a waterfall, as happened in that moving picture (in two places).

I have a 42g basket....doesn't quite fit in the Saturated Group. I gave it a shot just for the hell of it, and as I sort of unofficially decided to use every basket I own today.



Hey, just wondering, did your Lido 2 ever show up? I've used mine a few times during the marathon today....love it.

Seventy-six shots today. Time for a break.

Thank you for asking. Actually, so many other bits of mail, (oh, many mysterious parcels from the UK, books and CDs from Amazon, a box from Intelligentsia coffee, a good many letters to be dealt with on behalf of my mother - who has dementia) had arrived, and I was (and am) so busy, I had, in fact, clean forgotten about it.

However, a few days ago, I made out a list of things to do, things to note, things to look out for, I realised when I returned from my (much needed and long overdue immersion in civilisation) return from the UK, that the Lido had not, in fact, made an appearance.

Actually, what triggered my belated realisation of this lamentable fact was a post from our mutual friend mobilehaathi when he informed us all that SM had roasted yet another batch of Liquid Amber; I was pondering the imponderables of placing an order when I belatedly realised that I had no grinder with which to deal with the order, if and when that arrived…….

Cue a long stroll through my own emails; I am one of those who rarely deletes emails - until the need to retain them has long passed. I am (or was) an historian by profession, a training that leaves one with a great respect for primary sources…...

In this case, I realised that no, the Lido had never arrived, (whereas my bank account had indeed been visited), and I had never been emailed with any sort of update after the confirmation of the initial order in late……June.

So, two days ago, I wrote them a very polite email, asking for information and expressing my full understanding of what I assumed their challenges actually are. They replied thanking me for my understanding.

I think (one can never be certain of such things in this world), but, I think, that a certain hand made grinder may be winging its merry way to me sometime before the Autumnal Equinox. But, one cannot swear to this….

However, I do not even blush to admit that I did consult Mr Google this very evening (after all of that tantalising discussion concerning La Marzocco GS/3s) to find out the nearest location (not, note, San Francisco, which was the very first location suggested by the search engine) to me where I might be able to order such a thing. London and similar locations seem reasonably proximate……..

 

[Kurwenal]

I had a similar issue today and the last time I pulled a shot the other day where, the same 19 grams and approximate same, consistent, tamp pressure actually created too little head space at the top of the PF and I had a difficult, and once, impossible attempt at loading the PF into place. I varied the grind some, but not much. The grinds themselves looked a little dryer than usual. Plus they extracted too quickly as well.

Shrug. Sometimes, The Gods of Espresso are busy elsewhere, and pulling a high quality shot is very nearly impossible. When that happens, I go get a Diet Coke.

However, I do not even blush to admit that I did consult Mr Google this very evening (after all of that tantalising discussion concerning La Marzocco GS/3s) to find out the nearest location (not, note, San Francisco, which was the very first location suggested by the search engine) to me where I might be able to order such a thing. London and similar locations seem reasonably proximate……..

Good, albeit tardy, news from the Lido deck.

You have mentioned the GS/3 too many times for me to keep assuming it may be just a passing fancy (as in: "I want to move to Tahiti.").

Not a decision to be taken lightly.......as you well know. There are many other options that both weigh and cost less, and perhaps could serve more suitable for someone who does not want to futz....whether you are a futzer only you can know.

++++++++++

I ended up pulling 90 shots today, on the GS/3. I now have pulled north of 500 shots on this wondrous machine, and feel comfortable enough with its special and peculiar quirks and foibles to call it "mine." It now becomes the espresso-system-of-record (i.e., the first and daily choice) for me. A happy day, to be sure, but I always feel a bit down for the just-passed-up machine, in this case the very wonderful Rocket R58 v2.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Shrug. Sometimes, The Gods of Espresso are busy elsewhere, and pulling a high quality shot is very nearly impossible. When that happens, I go get a Diet Coke.



Good, albeit tardy, news from the Lido deck.

You have mentioned the GS/3 too many times for me to keep assuming it may be just a passing fancy (as in: "I want to move to Tahiti.").

Not a decision to be taken lightly.......as you well know. There are many other options that both weigh and cost less, and perhaps could serve more suitable for someone who does not want to futz....whether you are a futzer only you can know.

++++++++++

I ended up pulling 90 shots today, on the GS/3. I now have pulled north of 500 shots on this wondrous machine, and feel comfortable enough with its special and peculiar quirks and foibles to call it "mine." It now becomes the espresso-system-of-record (i.e., the first and daily choice) for me. A happy day, to be sure, but I always feel a bit down for the just-passed-up machine, in this case the very wonderful Rocket R58 v2.

No, indeed. This is quite true.

You have picked up on something; obviously, it is not quite a 'passing fancy' but nor will it be an immediate purchase.

Now, Back In The Day, when many people I knew had old style (domestic) coffee machines, I must say that I had always been very disappointed with the coffee they made; the coffee was always lukewarm (I could never work that one out), and insipid tasting. This was why I never invested in one, while the houses & people in question - knowing that I really liked my coffee - seemed to be of the opinion that I would swoon in unrestrained delight at their electronic offerings. But they never - and I mean never - made good coffee, and I thought them to be terribly overrated..

Coffee made by myself, with my own ceramic Hario drip, (or, before that, a plastic filter cone, with paper, functional and portable - don't mock it - very good coffees in many strange parts of the world have been made with this, and gratefully consumed) or, better still, my solidly reliable French Press, or my trusty Bialetti was always far, far better - not least because it was freshly made, and from coffee that was of the best quality I could source.

Last year, when I first thought about all this, while sitting in a coffee shop in a certain central Asian country, and just beginning to read this thread (which left me stupefied), I was tempted by the stunning Pavoni machines, which turned out to be manual lever operated, and also turned out to require a degree of brute force and intense concentration which I am not equal to, at least not first thing in the morning which is when I need my espresso…...

However, Dr Shrink talked me out of it, when, having studied the specifics of the machine, he expressed the opinion that while beautifully made (and it is an exquisite objet d'art), this sounded much too much like Very Hard Work for someone not used to pulling shots.

And that was before the lecture - which I heard (or read) here, on this very thread, for the very first (but not, last, as you all know) time in my life - on how the coffee machine is one of the less important matters to take into consideration when thinking about investing in coffee accessories and equipment (contrary to popular, and clearly, misinformed public opinion), instead, that The Grinder, A Burr Model (Mr Google was very busy for a day to two while I examined all of this fresh information with a new and beady eye) was paramount, followed by others, (yes, you can remind me) and then, then only, does one consider raiding a bank deposit, or a credit card to buy a machine.

Anyway, circumstances changed (as in - for a variety of internal reasons, some of them hilarious and deeply ironic), the august body which transported equipment for us to central Asia ceased to do so by year's end, after a number of written warnings. A tale well worth telling, but not here and not now. The upshot of that was that by December it had no longer become possible for me to import a coffee machine, so the discussion became moot to a certain extent.

However, that didn't stop me keeping a weather eye out for attractive, well built, elegant, small, not too tediously demanding coffee machines, and yours, Mr Kurwenal, has caught my eye. But, as they say, in your part of the world, I'll take a rain-check on it (for now). Nevertheless, it is most seriously flagged as a (not possible, but probably definite) future purchase……and I simply love the old-fashioned idea of delayed gratification; it makes one's enjoyment all the greater when on does finally take delivery of the long awaited product.

Edit: No, I am not a 'futzer' (I think I know what that means - I had to check the dictionary), at least, not re coffee. However, I am a huge fan of great industrial design (and other design), that perfect fusion of form and function, and am a big fan of superbly designed, beautifully made, small, sturdy, elegant and flawlessly functional (as opposed to high maintenance and temperamental) coffee machines such as the Italians make effortlessly (along with great clothes, food, wines, roads…..)

 

[Kurwenal]

A lot of good thoughts in that post.

First, every couple of months or so this thread (or one of the pretender threads) circles back to a fundamental law of coffee: it is very difficult, and perhaps impossible, to beat the taste and value of the simple brew devices, like a FP, the moka pot, or a good pour over. It is just true because it is.

Second, I would echo Shrink's very good advice on the La Pavoni. I own one, the 16 cup model in stainless, and you have to really want it....

Third, I agree utterly with your comments about design and the like. The Lido 2 falls into this category, as do Shrink's devices, and certainly the GS/3. I think I described the Lido 2 in a prior post as "the Mac of grinders," and that may have slighted the grinder.

Fourth, in respect of the wondrous GS/3, I am glad I own one, but I would never have paid $7,000 for an espresso machine. I love espresso and think about it as much as I think about anything other than Mrs. Kurwenal, Kurwenal Junior and Princess Kurwenal, but it is, after all, just some ground up beans mixed with water. I expect that I will get to the point where I can pull a triple ristretto on the GS/3 that I cannot pull on the Rocket R58 v2, but I am not there yet and the GS/3's cost is sort of embarrassing, if you think about it, for both the seller and buyer. If Ian Banks had before his untimely death written a Culture novel where espresso machines were ships, I think the GS/3 would be an Eccentric ship, at least.

Fifth, I would not recommend the GS/3 as a starter machine, or even someone's 3rd or 4th machine. In full auto mode, it produces phenomenal coffee, easily beating the Gaggia Accademia (which sits in an upstairs room in my house in case I need a quick coffee) and any other so-called super-auto that I have used. But, that much better? Not really. Not unless you get in and futz with it.

There are many great machines out there. As you noted, the advice to spend on the grinder and a regular source of fresh coffee is right, absolutely and fundamentally right.

And, there are other, better perhaps, options that hit the design mark as well. Check out this machine, for instance. I have never owned one, but I have come very, very close to buying one. Supposedly, it makes pretty good coffee. And, an online friend on a coffee forum swears by this beauty.

So many options. Only one mouth.....

 

[VideoFreek]

Hi Guys;

I've been away from this delightful thread for far too long...my how it's grown! I spent a couple of hours this evening catching up.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my first espresso machine--after a fair amount of research it's come down to one of the La Spaziale S1 machines--either the Mini Vivaldi II or the Dream T. I'm still debating whether I really want the more advanced electronic gimmickry of the Dream--there is something reassuringly retro and elegantly simple about the Mini Vivaldi that I like.

Any thoughts?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think one thing that held back the American enjoyment of coffee until recent decades was the fact coffee was mostly made in percolators. Unfortunately, that often resulted in bad-tasting coffee where you can sometimes see the grinds in the coffee liquid. Yes, there were a small number that discovered the Chemex drip coffeemaker, but that was a very small group in the old days.

Today, Americans now mostly make coffee with drip machines, and know of other methods like Moka pots, press pots, vacuum pots, Aeropress extractors, real espresso machines for home use and so on. I myself use both a drip machine and a Bodum press pot, though I am really tempted to get an Aeropress extractor.

 

[Kurwenal]

Hi Guys;

I've been away from this delightful thread for far too long...my how it's grown! I spent a couple of hours this evening catching up.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my first espresso machine--after a fair amount of research it's come down to one of the La Spaziale S1 machines--either the Mini Vivaldi II or the Dream T. I'm still debating whether I really want the more advanced electronic gimmickry of the Dream--there is something reassuringly retro and elegantly simple about the Mini Vivaldi that I like.

Any thoughts?

Hi.

What grinder do you have or plan to purchase? The grinder, obviously, is by far the most important part of the kit. The grinder makes the drink; the espresso machine just pushes water around.

I am not familiar with either machine, but a few things jumped out at me from the pages you linked.

Both are automatic machines. Many view automatics as producing lower-quality espresso than a semi-automatic. There are valid reasons to purchase an automatic, and the previous sentence is not true for every automatic. But, if you have not seriously researched whether you want a semi-auto or an auto, doing that is worth your time.

The Mini does not have pre-infusion built in, which is very odd for what claims to be a high-end machine, but an option is available to add a "pre-infusion chamber." I don't understand why pre-infusion would require a separate chamber, and that raises all sorts of questions in my mind. Just be sure you research the issue.

The Vivaldi is a plumb-only machine, ie, no water tank and you have to hook it up to your home water supply. Not a huge deal, I plumb my machines, but be sure this is what you want.

The Mini cannot be plumbed (either the supply or the drain). I would not purchase such a machine, but you will have to decide whether this matters to you.

The Vivaldi comes stock with a steam wand with only one hole. If you are serious about white coffee, you would want to change/upgrade this.

53mm portafilters? Check to see whether they can use standard baskets. Neither machine is E61, which is fine, but check to be sure Strada or VST baskets are available for the machines.

Sorry, I am leaving you with more questions than advice.....but these are things I would consider in evaluating the machines.

Chris' Coffee is a GREAT shop, by the way.

Best of luck with your purchase!

----------

I am really tempted to get an Aeropress extractor.

It could be the best $25 you have ever spent....what grinder would you use it with?

If you get an AP, I highly recommend using the disk instead of paper filters.

 

[S.B.G]

The Vivaldi comes stock with a steam wand with only one hole. If you are serious about white coffee, you would want to change/upgrade this.

I wonder if you'd be able to elaborate on this a bit more. One hole on the steam wand? Mine only has one hole as well.

 

[Kurwenal]

I wonder if you'd be able to elaborate on this a bit more. One hole on the steam wand? Mine only has one hole as well.

Well, now I've probably stepped in it.

I don't make many white coffees, but I think the experts in the field view the stock, one-hole OEM steam wands as not capable of producing the same very high quality frothed ("micro bubbles") milk as the specialty steam tips, which typically have 2, 3, or 4 holes, or other odd shapes that go beyond just one simple opening. The machine itself has to be able to produce enough steam, and with enough force, to drive a tip with that many holes. If the machine can do that, then more holes = more controlled turbulence, which is what produces the tiny little bubbles that produce the best tasting micro foam (as I understand things, many tiny bubbles tastes better than fewer large bubbles because the proteins adhere to the surface of the bubbles and so with many tiny bubbles you simply get more proteins in the microfoam).

There is a huge after-market for upgraded steam tips. I am far from an expert on these, but this is the well-regarded upgrade for the GS/3, for example.

 

[S.B.G]

Well, now I've probably stepped in it.

I don't make many white coffees, but I think the experts in the field view the stock, one-hole OEM steam wands as not capable of producing the same very high quality frothed ("micro bubbles") milk as the specialty steam tips, which typically have 2, 3, or 4 holes, or other odd shapes that go beyond just one simple opening. The machine itself has to be able to produce enough steam, and with enough force, to drive a tip with that many holes. If the machine can do that, then more holes = more controlled turbulence, which is what produces the tiny little bubbles that produce the best tasting micro foam (as I understand things, many tiny bubbles tastes better than fewer large bubbles because the proteins adhere to the surface of the bubbles and so with many tiny bubbles you simply get more proteins in the microfoam).

There is a huge after-market for upgraded steam tips. I am far from an expert on these, but this is the well-regarded upgrade for the GS/3, for example.

See, and that's what I have been thinking all along with my low-end machines. The plastic wand the Gaggia came with didn't work very well, in my opinion. Then I bought the same wand in stainless steel and saw the hole actually went all the way through, unlike the plastic one which didn't. The stainless steel one works much better, but, it still doesn't make the same, fine, consistency of micro foam that I see in videos.

When I pour the milk into the coffee, it goes in, and then at the end the bubbles all plop onto the top in one big flop. They don't go in all nice-like as seen in latte art videos, and I cannot, no matter how much I try, to begin to make latte art.

I've looked, albeit not too hard, for other wands, and all I found was that stainless steel one I bought. But I've wondered if there were other, better, designs the Gaggia would accept.

Not that latte art is important in the general scheme of production, but its something that interests me from an aesthetics point of view.

Another thing I notice on the Gaggia when steaming, is that the steam light goes out about halfway through to the desired temperature. It makes me wonder if its running out of steam (pun intended) and has to build up the heat again. Meaning it cannot produce enough, lasting steam to be consistent.

 

[mobilehaathi]

See, and that's what I have been thinking all along with my low-end machines. The plastic wand the Gaggia came with didn't work very well, in my opinion. Then I bought the same wand in stainless steel and saw the hole actually went all the way through, unlike the plastic one which didn't. The stainless steel one works much better, but, it still doesn't make the same, fine, consistency of micro foam that I see in videos.

When I pour the milk into the coffee, it goes in, and then at the end the bubbles all plop onto the top in one big flop. They don't go in all nice-like as seen in latte art videos, and I cannot, no matter how much I try, to begin to make latte art.

I've looked, albeit not too hard, for other wands, and all I found was that stainless steel one I bought. But I've wondered if there were other, better, designs the Gaggia would accept.

Not that latte art is important in the general scheme of production, but its something that interests me from an aesthetics point of view.

Another thing I notice on the Gaggia when steaming, is that the steam light goes out about halfway through to the desired temperature. It makes me wonder if its running out of steam (pun intended) and has to build up the heat again. Meaning it cannot produce enough, lasting steam to be consistent.

I seem to recall you had a suggestion for that plastic steam stop that came with the Gaggia. I tried a few times this weekend and was underwhelmed with the performance.

Thoughts?

 

[S.B.G]

I seem to recall you had a suggestion for that plastic steam stop that came with the Gaggia. I tried a few times this weekend and was underwhelmed with the performance.

Thoughts?

My suggestion was, and is, to get the stainless steel wand. Check your plastic one and see if the air hole goes all the way through. Mine did not and I have to assume it was a manufacturer defect, because there really should be a hole to allow the air in.

In light of my experience with the stainless steel wand, and the plastic one, in comparison to other wands I see in videos where they make really good foam, I am on a quest to see if there are other styles of wands that will work with the Gaggia.

I watch the steaming videos for tips, like holding the pitcher at an angle so you can see the turbulence rolling the milk, keeping the tip just below the surface of the milk so it sounds like ripping paper - when you want a lot of foam. Also banging, lightly, the pitcher on the counter to knock down the larger bubbles into smaller ones before pouring.

 

[mobilehaathi]

My suggestion was, and is, to get the stainless steel wand. Check your plastic one and see if the air hole goes all the way through. Mine did not and I have to assume it was a manufacturer defect, because there really should be a hole to allow the air in.

In light of my experience with the stainless steel wand, and the plastic one, in comparison to other wands I see in videos where they make really good foam, I am on a quest to see if there are other styles of wands that will work with the Gaggia.

I watch the steaming videos for tips, like holding the pitcher at an angle so you can see the turbulence rolling the milk, keeping the tip just below the surface of the milk so it sounds like ripping paper - when you want a lot of foam. Also banging, lightly, the pitcher on the counter to knock down the larger bubbles into smaller ones before pouring.

Thanks, I'll have to check; although it does successfully shoot water in the beginning when I prep it for use.

Unrelated: knocking the portafilter to settle the grinds before tamping is probably obvious to all of you, but now I get much more consistent tamps. Loving this machine.

 

[S.B.G]

Thanks, I'll have to check; although it does successfully shoot water in the beginning when I prep it for use.

Yeah, it works, but I think it could be much better. The quality of the foam is lacking and I don't think it's poor skills on my part because I've been practicing my technique for a while.

Unrelated: knocking the portafilter to settle the grinds before tamping is probably obvious to all of you, but now I get much more consistent tamps. Loving this machine.

I do this too!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Yeah, it works, but I think it could be much better. The quality of the foam is lacking and I don't think it's poor skills on my part because I've been practicing my technique for a while.



I do this too!

I also think the machine is only powerful enough to steam a few oz of milk. Actually I don't even have a proper pitcher, I've just used a small pot.

I also learned not to pull a shot immediately after using the steam. Ugh burned espresso...obvious in retrospect but sometime you have to learn by experience.

It still tasted better than some places I have gone...