Psyd wrote:For me, and I've had this discussion before, it's the availability of inexpensive aftermarket kit that makes the 58mm PF far more attractive than any other. Two fifteen degree PF's with all the trimmings and triple baskets for under forty bucks to my front door? Can't be beat. While the actual espresso produced might not change, or change much, the 58mm PF is the AA battery of espresso machines. You may not get more electricity out of 'em than a C batt, but you can find 'em easier and cheaper the planet over. It is the only reason that the DC is off my list of considered machines to replace my commercial kit. Well, OK, 'much further down on my list'... ; >

Interesting. I'm seriously considering the Dalla Corte and didn't give the "non-standard' size issue more than 10 seconds consideration. In 15 years of espresso machine ownership, I have never once had to replace a portafilter. If I do some day, possibly having to pay $10 ($0 ?) extra for one is a non-issue compared to ease of use, temperature stability, energy and water conservation, durability and layout of parts and wiring, and, oh, yeah, quality of shots and overall price.

FWIW, I've talked to several people about the Mini who are connected with the WBC and whose opinions I hold in high regard, and not one mentioned (or cared) that a future portafilter replacement might cost more.

RapidCoffee wrote:Take this argument to its logical conclusion, and what have you got? A superauto...

Of course! And most of us will get one when they make great coffee and have a "reasonable" price tag.

Psyd wrote:For me, and I've had this discussion before, it's the availability of inexpensive aftermarket kit that makes the 58mm PF far more attractive than any other. Sure!

I used the same argument earlier this year, then I found it's a lie. Sure the E61 head will take a LaMarzocco
portafilter - nice one with a rubber handle, 15 degree. Love it. Just change the gasket, no problem.

But facts are - LaPavoni Pub V at work, sorry "standard" 58 mm portafilter won't lock on, but the baskets
work and the gasket is the same 58 mm diameter, 8.5mm thick. How about the Caramali in the next
kitchen over at work? Same 58 mm gasket, only 7.5mm thick and the freaking portafilters won't work
there either.

How about Ken's La Cimbalis? Sorry, "standard" 58 m portafilters won't work there either.

It's a LIE! There is no standard. Just because it's the same diameter on the spec sheet doesn't mean
it's interchangeable.

The ones I'm reasonably sure that are interchangeable, are - E61 head, LaMarzocco, Synesso, and, maybe,
Rancilio.

Bob

I had no problem with my LM portafilter (OEM, rubber handle) and my La Valentina. Now, however, my question is what bottomless pf to use in an Elektra . . .

My old OEM Faema portafilter would fit my Elektra, barely, the Isomac would also fit, and the LM that the scace is housed in would not fit. I had to machine down the lugs a little. There are subtle differences, normally in the thickness and length of the lugs on the portafilter.

cannonfodder wrote:There are subtle differences, normally in the thickness and length of the lugs on the portafilter.

There are also subtle differences in the width of the lugs and the vertical placement of the lugs - used
to match the group head.

Taking a look over at Espressoparts portafilter section, they claim the LaMarzocco pf will fit - Wega
Lyria, Rancilio Silvia, or most machines with the E61 Group Head; Wega, Faema, Rancilio. The
other machines that take 58mm pf's will need a different pf.

Bob

Marshall wrote: In 15 years of espresso machine ownership, I have never once had to replace a portafilter. If I do some day, possibly having to pay $10 ($0 ?) extra for one is a non-issue compared to ease of use, temperature stability, energy and water conservation, durability and layout of parts and wiring, and, oh, yeah, quality of shots and overall price.

Shoot. Note to self, engage brain, then release mouth...
The PF price was just an example. The real interchangeability is in the basket, although, having a PF that is common with a lot of the big hitters is a boon for me. $10 is one thing, $30 - $50 is yet another. I got a pair for under $25. That's savings of import. I also have a selection of baskets. 12g doubles, 14g doubles, 14g LM doubles, 14 g Synesso doubles, 18g doubles 21g triples, and a slew of leftover singles. ; > All of 'em fairly reasonable to incredibly cheap. Looking for 51mm baskets and PF for my lever have let me know just how lucky I am to have a 'standard' in the 58mm for the rest of my machines (that, BTW, cross from one to another so I can swap parts back and forth!)
I'm not saying that it should be a deal killer at all. It's just that I'll stumble along with my HX 'til someone comes a long and makes something that challenges the "ease of use, temperature stability, energy and water conservation, durability and layout of parts and wiring, and, oh, yeah, quality of shots and overall price" of the DC in a 58mm format. If the DC were offered in a 54mm and a 58mm format, all other issues being moot, which would you prefer?
It's a personal choice for me (I dunno, maybe I'm justifying the expense of all the toys in that I'm getting them at a great discount? Could be...) and I've just discovered that I like being able to get an experimental triple basket or a cool new double or naked PF and use it at may house or on the road with the Silvia. Now that the Silvia sits at the GF's house, and the leer goes out on the road with me, I just miss the opportunities I had with the interchangeability with the house kit.

Bump... hope folks don't mind. It's getting close to two years since this thread petered out, but a version of the OP's question is still relevant: does anyone here OWN a Dalla Corte Super Mini? Are they glad they do? Or not?

The combined brew boiler and group seems like such a great idea, even better than the so-called "saturated group" of the GS/3. Steam boiler capacity is even bigger than the GS/3. Simple knob for temperature fiddling. Quality and attention to detail seem to be there.

But it's 500mm (19.7") tall... is it so good that I'd want to modify kitchen cupboards to make it fit? It doesn't have a PID... don't all good machines have 'em now? It's got that odd carbon-fiber cover over the brew boiler... after a few years of wiping and cleaning, that's going to be un-shiny and and look like cheap and dirty plastic, isn't it?

The Super Mini costs about $2,500 less than the GS/3, and seems to offer similar promise of solidly repeatable performance. I'd like to love it, but it doesn't seem that many other people do. How come?

Thanks for any input.

I have just obtained a 2009 Dalla Corte mini unit and have yet to fully appreciate it and or discover the other darker side. Give me 6 months and a few kg of beans and I may be in a better position to offer a full and detailed comment.

1: What I would like to be able to do is to rewire / replace the switch; such that I can chose not have the boiler on just like the Super mini.

Thus if any long time users have performed this, I would be interested in finding out how they went about it.

2: In addition my unit has the ukla pump installed and after my previous machine and some sound proofing. The DC Mini was a little louder than I had anticipated. However a couple of strips of DynaMat sound proofing on the inside of the outer skin and much better...

3: Have never liked the bolt head in any system, so a new SS counter sunk screw was found ASAP.

Have some pics and other comments on another well known Australian forum..

Here is hoping there are a few DC Mini users still out there

boyscout wrote:does anyone here OWN a Dalla Corte Super Mini?

Personally, I don't own either one, but Marshall did -- although I think he bought the Mini, not the SuperMini. Then again, I think he sold it in favor of a GS/3. Check with him . . .