OT:Espresso Machines - Manual/Lever

[mtechnica]

You need to use a scale and single dose through the grinder. I would use 12-13g of beans, tamp hard, and grind close to as fine as you can for a starting point.

[mwynne]

Assuming it's a double basket, I'd look at 14-15g of espresso in. If you're getting liquid coming out with just the lever fully raised (no downwards pressure), sounds like you should try and grind finer. You might be able to compensate with a harder tamp, but dialing in grind size is more important.

I'll also say there's a LP owner's group on Facebook where I have learned a LOT from.

[mwynne]

I think I have a plan for my Europiccola steam lever mod. But which lever do I want to pick up...



or

[William]

New La Pavoni resource site with tons of great info...

www.lpowners.org





W.

[foregroundmusic]

Mildly OT to the actual machines, but I’m interested in what beans everyone is liking. I lean more to pour overs, but I’m always looking for good independent roasters to buy from if anyone has suggestions.

[William]

Originally Posted by foregroundmusic

Mildly OT to the actual machines, but I’m interested in what beans everyone is liking. I lean more to pour overs, but I’m always looking for good independent roasters to buy from if anyone has suggestions.

These are the two roasters I'm hitting right now. Both somewhat local to me so when I cruise through a couple times a week I'll stop and grab some fresh beans.

https://www.caffeladro.com

http://www.victorscelticcoffee.com/coffee.htm






W.

[fmradio516]

What does everyone use under/around their espresso station? We just moved and our new kitchen has some really nice, white quartz countertop. If there is a spec of coffee grind on the counter, im in trouble.

I have a small hand towel there now, but it seems i still cant keep the counter completely clean. Any coffee mats of some kind that people like?

[William]

No relation to seller...cat optional:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/a...192766138.html





W.

[William]

I call this one..."Hallelujah!!"





W.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by William

No relation to seller...cat optional:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/a...192766138.html





W.

That is a good deal

[jkbrwn]

Ha, cute^^

I’ve finally committed to buying a Robot before the end of the year. I’ve obviously read everything there is to read about them from critics - but does anyone here have one? Any nuances that others might not have discovered/reported?

Also, I’ll need a better grinder than the Oxo one I currently have. Anyone hand grinding for espresso? Pain in the arse? Not too bad? I hand ground for V60 for years, but that wasn’t so bad due to the grind size.

[William]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

Ha, cute^^

I’ve finally committed to buying a Robot before the end of the year. I’ve obviously read everything there is to read about them from critics - but does anyone here have one? Any nuances that others might not have discovered/reported?

Also, I’ll need a better grinder than the Oxo one I currently have. Anyone hand grinding for espresso? Pain in the arse? Not too bad? I hand ground for V60 for years, but that wasn’t so bad due to the grind size.

You've probably seen this, but just in case you haven't I'll post the link...

James Hoffman review...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ZSXVZbQbA

Otherwise I've never used one so I can't add anything other than it looks interesting and I would consider one if I didn't already have the LP.




W.

[jkbrwn]

I’ve watched it probably five times since he first posted it

Really do like his videos a lot.

I don’t really do many milk drinks so it just seems like the perfect machine for me. If and LP was closer in price to the Robot, it’d be LP all day, but the price is hard to beat for the product IMO.

[mwynne]

I'll just say that I was able to get a used LP for basically the same price as the Robot. But the Robot was top of my mind before finding that. I use a 1Zpresso JX-Pro to hand grind for my LP and it works great.

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by mwynne

I'll just say that I was able to get a used LP for basically the same price as the Robot. But the Robot was top of my mind before finding that. I use a 1Zpresso JX-Pro to hand grind for my LP and it works great.

Thank you for pointing this out. I’m obviously aware of the Comandante and Helor’s etc but hadn’t heard of the 1Z. It looks perfect.

Just read this in a review: ‘ Grinding 20 grams of medium roast for espresso takes about 45 seconds, which is pretty solid.’

If that’s accurate, that’s pretty great.

I know I could get a used LP for close to the price of a Robot... but... Robot’s are just so cool. Obviously LPs are too, but the Robot speaks to me on so many levels.