Hi
I just got a new Cremina. I'm pulling some of the best shots I have ever had.

What are the must have Cremina accessories?

The best grinder you can afford, dow111 and tools for servicing the group.
And maybe a 49,4mm tamper, a bottomless portafilter, and a nice cup.

x2 the bottomless, https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoffeeBOS?ref ... eader-name
X2 Dow 111

Watch the videos on Orphan Espresso on the rebuilds. Get to know the maintenance of the machine through YouTube and Doug's tutorials.

For a machine with such history and nostalgia (or at least that's how it seems:) connected to it the absence of at least one quality illy collection set would be notable.

jmarcus wrote:What are the must have Cremina accessories?

Outstanding coffee.

This tamper fits my Cremina baskets perfectly:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-One-Pi ... _1824.html

So perfectly that I marvel at the precision every time I use it.

I had a tamper precision machined for my VST baskets for my Technika but it's not even close, and the OE was more than 50% less.

Orphan espresso temperature strip is a must have. Without it, you are flying blind temperature wise.

A good knockbox (I like Rattleware because they've got good capacity and are solidly made), a small dustpan and trim brush for coffee grounds (learned about the trim brush by watching baristas at Blue Bottle in SF Ferry Building), steam pitcher, cups for espresso and milk drinks if you like them, a Cafelat or other tamp mat, I agree with the recommendation above for an Espressme bottomless portafilter (found on etsy) with Elektra double baskets (those can be found at good cost at espressocare.com). A small, natural sponge and Pulycaff or JoGlo coffee detergent for soft flushes of the shower screen. A gram scale measuring at least down to 10ths of gm. Doesn't need to be fancy. I'm using an American Weigh Scale model AMW-SC-2KG (found on Amazon) right now for an espresso review. If you want luxury and beauty and have time to wait, portafilter and lever handle and steam knob made from exotic wood from our own Dave Stephens, aka cannonfodder. See: Custom Wood for your Espresso Machine . Temp strips work and look best but I prefer a digital thermometer added to the group. See: Adding Thermometry to a La Pavoni Europiccola . An HG-1 grinder would be a first choice for quality, good ergonomics, quiet operation and looks. On a budget an Orphan Espresso Pharos has equal grind quality and is better with voodoodaddy mods, especially the catch cup, pointer, scale and easy dial bearing for the top. For electrics, maybe a Mahlkonig K30 Vario grinder. For older Creminas, a steam wand pressure gauge is useful. Otherwise, you've got one already. A metric ratcheting wrench set for DIY adjustments. Spare gaskets, including portafilter gasket and piston gaskets as these are consumables that will be replaced over time. All of this would load up Santa's sleigh for sure.

Hi,
Okay here is what I bought:

PF Cradle 49mm
http://lynweber.com/product/pf-cradle-49mm/

Blind Tumbler
http://lynweber.com/product/blind-tumbler/

OE Aluminum Portafilter Dosing Funnel & Group Temperature Strip Thermometer High Range and Low

This looks pretty awesome:

http://lynweber.com/products/eg-1/

I read somewhere that the Elektra MCAL portafilter fits a Cremina, is this true? If so that would halve the cost of a bottomless portafilter.
Or you could chop it yourself.

Also, a small makeup mirror so you can watch the extraction coming out of the bottom of the portafilter without trying to hunch over while doing the pull.

What would a good source for a steam want pressure gauge be?