Anyone getting their Alex Duetto II today? - Page 2

Need help with equipment usage or want to share your latest discovery?
Mark08859
Posts: 323
Joined: 18 years ago

#11: Post by Mark08859 »

jlunavtgrad wrote:Unfortunately, the stickers above the steamers were peeling and the Alex badge was put on crooked and was falling off. One of the three rubber protectors under the cup warming plate was not on, so it fell against the wiring harness. When we tried to get it, it fell under a boiler and we had to take off the bottom plate to retrieve it.
Minor issues but I hope this doesn't indicate greater quality problems down the road.

portamento
Posts: 377
Joined: 16 years ago

#12: Post by portamento »

jlunavtgrad wrote:I was having a hard time getting a level tamp with the new equipment so I started holding the portafilter in the air at chest height and tamping with my other hand. The tamps have been level and I can repeat them well enough for now. Is this a bad habit?
Really? You are getting straight tamps without resting the portafilter on a level surface? You must be doing a very light tamp (nothing wrong with that, some people prefer it). But tamping a portafilter held in mid-air sounds really awkward to me.
Ryan

zamanlh
Posts: 2
Joined: 15 years ago

#13: Post by zamanlh »

jlunavtgrad wrote: Is this a bad habit? I know that some baristas are trained to use the edge of the bar and turn their palm out with the elbow right over the portafilter. Is it worth learning the "correct" way?
No matter what anyone tells you, the bottom line reason for this is consistency. If you are having problems being consistent in the "normal" way, do whatever you have to. In the long run, if you were at a cafe pulling many shots, it might help to learn how to do it on the edge of the bar etc. etc... but at home, it's all what you feel comfortable doing.

User avatar
HB
Admin
Posts: 21981
Joined: 19 years ago

#14: Post by HB »

jlunavtgrad wrote:I was having a hard time getting a level tamp with the new equipment so I started holding the portafilter in the air at chest height and tamping with my other hand. The tamps have been level and I can repeat them well enough for now. Is this a bad habit?
I won't call it "bad", but it's certainly unusual. I'll be lazy and repost an edited version my reply from another thread... Focus on your technique:

Image
Matt Riddle from HB Tamper Roadshow

Note how he's grasped the tamper like a doorknob and the elbow is directly above the portafilter, ideally at a near 90 degree angle. Use your fingers along the perimeter of the basket / piston interface to judge if the tamper is canted.

Final hint: If tamping level proves challenging, try removing the portafilter retainer spring and tamping the basket outside of the portafilter directly on the countertop.
Dan Kehn

Endo
Posts: 337
Joined: 16 years ago

#15: Post by Endo »

Keep in mind, Baristas also have to consider repetitive stress injuries. So their technique needs to take this into account as well. For MOST of us, this is not an issue.
"Disclaimer: All troll-like comments are my way of discussing"

rluna
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 years ago

#16: Post by rluna »

I just wanted to tell everyone how amazing the Alex Duetto II has been thus far! We've had it for almost a week, and I must say it's been one of the best (and most caffeinated) weeks of my life. I am having a blast learning how to use it...generally, for the last few nights, half of our evening is spent reading these forums for ideas/techniques/advice, and the other half has been trying them. Yesterday, I finally made a competent pitcher of microfoam, and I couldn't stop giggling at how easy it was. My next feat: latte art. I have a feeling it will take a while, but I am eagerly welcoming the process.

IMAWriter
Posts: 3472
Joined: 19 years ago

#17: Post by IMAWriter »

I remember my first succesful pitcher of microfoam, or at least not Macro foam. I ran around the house showing it to my wife and kids.
The Cremina is a steaming beast, and a moron (yours truly) can do it.
Great that you can have so much fun with coffee. Tastes pretty darn good, too.
Question..how quiet is the Rotary pump? Any rattles?

jlunavtgrad (original poster)
Posts: 60
Joined: 15 years ago

#18: Post by jlunavtgrad (original poster) »

Quiet is such a relative term. I hear many people say that they have gotten their vibe pump machines to be as quiet as a rotary pump, then I hear people say that their rotary pump machines are whisper quiet. I can tell you that the pump is not whisper quiet. My wife says that she can't quite talk on the phone (in the same room) while I am grinding but she can while I am running the pump. If I squeeze the machine on both sides while the pump is running I can get some of the noise to go away, so I guess I have a vibration issue. I took the drip tray and top cover off the machine and watched as I ran the pump. When the pump starts I can see that it lunges forward by as much as an inch at the top, but I think that the top cover would hold this back a little if it was in place. Eventually I will go in and see how it is attached and maybe improve the situation, but since I've only had the machine 6 days I am not up to talking the back cover off yet.

IMAWriter
Posts: 3472
Joined: 19 years ago

#19: Post by IMAWriter »

Thanks. BTW, I pass through Roanoke (well Interstate 81) every year on my journey to the in-laws...
If we stop near you, I'll give you a heads-up..I'll bring a little home roasted for you.

rluna
Posts: 7
Joined: 15 years ago

#20: Post by rluna »

Offer accepted. We're off exit 143. :D