EricC

I see you have owned the GS/3 AV and MP versions. I am in th UK (Lancashire) & just about to purchase a GS/3. I hoped you may be able to advise which version is best for me. I would like the paddle but I may not be able to plumb-in the GS/3. Does the pre infusion work ok if using the reservoir only ? Does the paddle version produce better espresso than the AV ? Any help / advice much appreciated.

Also do I need to upgrade my Mazzer Mini to get full benefit of a GS/3. I was thinking of Robur.

Many thanks

Parksie


...split from La Marzocco GS/3 Mechanical Paddle : How it works by moderator...

Thanks for that. The Flojet pump is the solution ! They do a version which draws from a water bottle. I can get 18L bottles from work. GS/3 paddle it is then.

Is it necessary to use an inline filter with bottled water ?

Grinder question still open. Mazzer mini OK or is it really worth upgrading to a Robur ?

parksie wrote:EricC
I am ... just about to purchase a GS/3. I hoped you may be able to advise which version is best for me. I would like the paddle but I may not be able to plumb-in the GS/3. Does the pre infusion work ok if using the reservoir only ?

Plumbing in the GS/3 was also not an option for me, so all my experience is with the Mechanical Paddle version using the reservoir.

There are a couple of nice features on the volumetric version, including the ability to set the timing and have the machine obey, and the automated back-flush (push the button and walk away for 20x flushes) looks like a swell convenience. Judging from videos of earlier versions of the MP's firmware, it looks like at one time some of these features were combined - for example, pre-infusing manually with the lever but then pressing the volumetric button to complete the shot. The currently shipping MP firmware (v1.05) no longer appears to support any such hybrid functions: it's a manual paddle, and that, dear barista, is that.

But it IS a very nice paddle. It has a great firm but smooth and precise "feel" and (compared to pressing a button) you really feel that you are making the espresso and controlling the shot, not the machine. (Coming as I do from decades in the lever-machine tradition, the MP enabled me to at least retain some remnants of dignity.) And although the great majority of a shot's quality is determined by your choice of beans and how you grind / dose / distribute / tamp, your visitors are unlikely to recognize that fact; there's scant glory to be derived from a push-button drink no matter how much finesse you have put into its preparation.

I can't speak to the value of the MP's 3-bar line-pressure pre-infusion one has when the GS/3 is plumbed in, other than (at least as my machine was set up) it's absolutely clear where pre-infusion begins in the paddle's travel. So far as I've been able to gather, La Marzocco is sort of "meh" about whether the 3-bar pre-infusion makes better shots, but regardless they HAD to provide PI since it would've been seen as a major shortfall if the GS/3 failed to offer that option. This is the same situation, however, on either the volumetric or MP versions, so it shouldn't affect your choice.

As for pre-infusing when using the reservoir, however, the dispersion block DOES release a stream - well, more like a dribble - when the paddle moves to the center/pre-infusion position. But I would call it "pre-delusion" instead: I've tried every which-way to make this a plus, but nothing doing. In fact, it's very much the opposite: it seems the un-pressured pre-infusion can only saturate the cake unevenly, leading to technically poor and irregular shots. Even with thoroughly de-gassed coffees, the incidence of channeling, tornados and spritzers increased dramatically in my experience.

Of course, YMMV, but try an experiment: pour ten shots using the un-pressured pre-infusion and, using a bottomless portafilter, count the total flaws you noted across these ten pours; then repeat with ten more shots but this time using no PI - just swing the paddle all the way immediately. If your results are like mine, you'll put pre-infusion on hold until you can plumb in the GS/3. Again, this behavior is with both GS/3 versions.

Regarding your grinder question, the Robur seems to be the generally accepted gold standard assuming you have the budget and the space. Try as I might, however, there was just no way I could find a suitable location, so I went with the Macap M7K which is a Titan you can tame very nicely for typical kitchens and single-dosing (and I'm very happy with it). As for differences between the M7K and Robur, I believe Jon Rosenthal made exactly that journey recently and can better comment. I do see though, that Jon's posted photos show a setup suffering from no overhead cabinet restrictions (nice!) and I presume the Robur doesn't entirely block his lovely window view (even nicer!) of that golf course, nature preserve, national park or whatever all that gorgeous green stuff represents.

Back to the GS/3 though - FYI I would make the same decision and buy the MP version again. The paddle just gives you a greater hands-on sense of participation, and that feels important with something so crafted as a cup of espresso.

I own a GS/3 paddle, plumbed in. IMHO the benefits of the paddle are marginal, even when plumbed in. In the non-paddle machine there is a gicleur restrictor in the flow line and the electronically controlled pre-infusion function mentioned above that do a fine job of gently soaking the puck.

Walk into almost any top shelf coffee bar and watch how the baristas use the paddles. They just flip them to full power as on-off switches and rely on the gicleur for gentle pre-infusion.

IMHO dealing with big water jugs, extra hoses, an outboard pump and accumulator, not to mention the extra maintenance that the paddle requires, just makes the whole concept of a non-plumbed paddle silly.

Also with the paddle you give up the automated backflush function, which is very handy.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy my paddle. I just wouldn't bother without direct plumbing.

Many thanks for your comments guys. If I go for the bottle / pump / accumulator, I could get the paddle version, but Marshall seems to be suggesting the "benefits" of PI may not be worth the hassle of plumbing in and the loss of the auto flush.

If it is possible to consistently get a better espresso with the paddle I would go for it. If it is only the pleasure of more extra user interaction during the process I am tempted to go for the AV version. Decisions, decisions.

EricC / Marshall, do you get noticably better espressos from your MP compared to your AV ? EricC I may pm you to accept your kind offer of a demo on your machine. It would also be good to hear which beans you use as I am having varying quality issues with the UK roasters I am using.

Thanks
Parksie