How does one add minerals to the water?

Pierre

Bellavance wrote:Can it be bought with the PID factory installed?

In the North American market, the Alexia is available "PID-ready." It has a knockout in the front panel sized to accept the controller, and drilled/tapped holes on the machine base for mounting the relay. You can buy an Alexia with the PID already installed, or buy a standalone Alexia PID kit, from Chris' Coffee.

I don't know if the Euro version of the Alexia is similarly configured.

I don't think the Zaffiro is available with these same PID-friendly modifications.

We have helped several customers successfully add PID systems to their Zaffiro's by using a customized version of the Alexia system. But this is not a project I recommend for a novice. Although the installation guide is written for the Alexia, the machines are similar enough that folks with some electrical knowledge can make the necessary interpretations.

Cutting a hole through the face of the machine to accept the controller is definitely not an easy job, so using an external enclosure for the controller is usually preferred.

Jim

Bellavance wrote:How does one add minerals to the water?

Like this: http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/plumbing/calcitefilter

Also Jim Gallt's PID kits (dealer or self-installed) have an excellent reputation among his customers who post here.

RE: Reverse Osmosis water.

My RO water has a TDS of 4, so I guess I'll start using spring water in my old Silvia.

Pierre

Dan, would you please stop repeating yourself!

On the Coffee Geek Forum, I was told: A Grinder improvement will show much more results in the cup then a machine improvement.

Does this mean that upgrading from my LeLit PL53 grinder to a better grinder will give me better coffee than upgrading from my Silvia to an Alexia, while keeping my grinder?

Can this be true ? !!

Pierre

FYI.
I've had the Alexia w/pid for about 6 months now. I had a PID gaggia classic with other mod's before.
I'm using the Rancilio Rocky grinder. The shots have been absolutely amazing.
The machine caught me off guard (sound) when i first started using it... it was very quiet in comparison to my friends Silvia as well as my old Classic. I have noticed the drip tray is enormous and well made for
easy removal and cleaning.
The price is very high in comparison to the Silvia (agreed).
I decided to spring for the extra cash & go for some bling factor with the Alexia (looks fantastic in the kitchen). The tactile feel of lifting the lever to activate the brew cycle has a nostalgic effect IMO .
I've also been able to brew multiple shots in a row for guests without any lag time for the water to get
back to a proper even temp. You may have to wait a bit longer with the silvia. Serving guests
is no longer an issue because the boiler is very temp. stable. I agree with the previous statement
that this machine is really meant for straight espresso shots. If i had to pull a shot and then steam
milk for each drink i made it would be a real hassle. With a espresso driven machine such as this i pull
all my shots first and then steam milk afterward.

Hope this helps.