Coffee machine....works! Top tips needed!

Slicko: did you get the one with one hole (they had one with three before = no good)?

Tony: Yeah, but once taken care of that, it should last you close to a life time, if you don't go commercial ... :D I guess you've checked all the rubber bushings (easier and prob cheaper to order at the same time as the pump), so it doesn't start to leak internal once you turn it on.
 
Not quite sure what you mean Mikael.

Boiler is good, refills, cycles and gets up to temp and pressure without leaks, just can't pull a shot just yet so it's difficult to check.
 
Ok, my English can be a bit strange at times, I tried to translate, but ... The rubber things that's between connecting metal parts, dries and gets old and when you get pressure in the system they'll most likely leak water, if they're to old/dry. But it seems you have checked that or have that on the check list when you get the pump, like I thought.
 
Man you guys talk dirty!!
Wand not here yet.
Now I hope it's one hole.....
So to speak.
Coffee porn.
Or caffeine porn.
Tony have you checked your rubber fittings before you get up to pressure.
?
Mmmmm.
Sounds ok to me.
I'll give you wand update.
Hey whenever I go out I now look at what goes on.
Is it me or do lots of places tamp really lightly?
Especially when tamper built into grinder??
Yrs
Coffeepornnewbie

Oh can get good cappuccino foam.
But not really good latte foam.
All seems to taste good. Dualit I think is ok.
Might sell some razors for mc2 though,,
 
No rubber on this commercial honey just big bold, brass fittings like an old steam engine.

I bought my replacement pump and bits from Happy Donkey...good value and service I must say, not tried beans from them yet as I've gone a bit silly with beans lately.

This week I am mostly drinking Waitrose Sumatra Mandheling with a shot of Baileys.
 
antdad said:
Close...I bought an S series (S26) which preceded the Epoca face lift. (S27 - has electronic control pad, both plumbed in & rotary rather than vibratory pumps)

rancilio1.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh, snap! That's a killer machine for the home. Congratulations.

I'm going to echo some of the earlier posts in this thread about buying an espresso machine (and add some of my own):

1. The grinder is more important than the espresso machine. Buy a good grinder first, then save up for a decent espresso machine, not the other way around. Minimum acceptable grinder is something like the Ascaso I, Rancilio Rocky, or Mahlkonig Vario Home. You'll probably end up paying more for the grinder than the espresso machine in a basic starter setup.

2. Try not to use preground beans or anything that's been sitting on the shelf for months. Use freshly roasted beans, and use them up before they get too stale. Fresh for brewed coffee is perhaps 2 days after being roasted, and you should try to use them up in about 10-14 days. Fresh for espresso is perhaps 4-7 days after being roasted, and you should try to use them up in about 10-14 days as well.

3. Minimum acceptable espresso machine is a Gaggia Classic (some say the Baby, too), Rancilio Silvia, or Le'Lit PL041.

4. Exception to #1 above is if you can find a good vintage hand grinder, but that's a difficult task. You may buy 10 grinders and find only one that works. I use a Porlex ceramic-burr grinder from Japan, and it's pretty good. However, I wouldn't want to make more than 3 shots a day with it.

5. Buy a good tamper. The plastic one it comes with usually doesn't work all that well.

6. A great online resource is Home Barista. However, they don't have a particularly strong sense of community, and newbies are encouraged to do several weeks of reading first before asking questions. Here's a link to their FAQs.

7. As a rule of thumb, take a similar approach to your espresso as you do to your shaving.
 
Hey good post especially where I'm concerned.
I'm really happy with classic and the dualit (aka Solis) seems to do a good job.
Im going to have to save for an upgrade on the grinder front though.
I have a couple of peachy razors I could sell. Mmmmm maybe not!
I am getting ok espresso I think. Certainly that and my cappuccino froth Are ok.
There seems to be half a dozen grinders up to the £300
Mark that come well recommended. I nearly bought an iberital MC2 but am now holding off.
I think the dualit will become the grinder for the cafatiere.
That will be my excuse. Tony that machine is a beaut.
Cheers slow rain ta for input.
Tim
 
antdad said:
Result...I informed the seller that the Rancilio had a seized pump and she reimbursed me without question, nice lady.
Click to expand...

Sweet and really nice move! :D One thing though ... What's PigCat gonna say if there's no rubber in your machinery!? :icon_razz:

Slick: tell us what you gonna do with the wand, please! :angel:

Slowrain: the more the merrier!

Todays shot:
004800x778.jpg
 
Ha dirty boyz!

Ok steam arm arrived.
It's a single hole. hurrah!
Off came old arm. Slid off gaggia nut. Easy peasy.
Next slid off rancilio rubber elbow thing unscrewed nozzle and slid offnut.
Put on gaggia nut.
Did not use any of the supplied washer as there are none on the gaggia arm.
Pushed it in dud up nut.
Turned on machine.da da!!! It steams like a good un.
Tried steaming milk. Just got hot milk.
Err twice!!
Back to you tube.
It heats the milk really fast!!
And us noisier.
Now to practice.
I fitted it in about 5 mins...
Speak later guys !
Timbo
 
Ok have made latte art!!!
I see the tip of the wand needs to be quite close to the top of the milk to start.
There is a little leak from the thread of the wand tip.
Sorted with a little plumbers tape....
Crikey it heats the milk fast. Half the time I reckon.
If I really do some latte art I will have pics at the ready as proof!
Tb
 
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