Beezer wrote:This just makes me want to wait for the plumb in version even more.

That's why I posted since some people had concerns about the availability of the plumb kit and so the size of the reservoir becomes more of an issue.

Beezer wrote:What type of water are you using? Are you having to soften it to avoid having to descale later? I noticed that LM does not recommend user descaling.

Yes, that's their recommendation. Our local water is soft to begin with. I filter with a Brita pitcher to get rid of chlorine and it reduces the TDS down to around 40 ppm. I then add back a small amount of minerals in the form of potassium carbonate at a level at which it won't scale.

Wouldnt just disconnecting the pump inlet and replacing it with 3/8 bsp hose would make it plumbed in?
So on the picture it would be disconnecting number 4 and replace it with inlet hose.
At least I thought thats how its done on GS/3.

From what I understand it should, just that GS3 has an option in the software to tell it not to check for water in the reservoir (by means of conductivity) if you set it to being plumbed.

My guess is that you can plumb the machine in, then connect the reservoir springs together to trick the machine into thinking that the reservoir is full.

My only question would be if the brew boiler could withstand the line pressure if the machine is plumbed in... I would assume so, but anyone have any thoughts?

Warranty?

Why not just wait for their plumb-in kit?

Yes, assuming the kit becomes available soon, that seems much better than doing some funky mod that might void the warranty.

I hope they include a switch that turns off the water sensor for the reservoir instead of using some type of kludge where you have to use a jumper to defeat the water sensor. That way you can switch easily between the two modes, in case you want to take the machine with you on vacation and run it off the reservoir. Much cheaper machines offer this feature, so it seems like LM could have it in the Mini. Of course, maybe that would offend their purist vision for the machine.

After owning a BDB, I jumped at the chance to purchase a La Marzocco Linea Mini and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I posted my reasons for buying the machine on the Why so few La Marzocco Linea Mini owners? thread.

Cheers!

keno wrote: So potential purchasers should factor this in particularly if you are thinking of using the reservoir. In my experience I find I'm filling it up every 3 days or so, but I'm doing screen flushes between shots and filling before its empty to avoid problems with it shutting off during a shot.

Thank you for this info Ken. Are you finding that you are frustrated at the need to refill the Mini's reservoir often? How does your refilling frequency compare to your old heat exchanger given the reduction in purging out water?

rpc415 wrote:Are you finding that you are frustrated at the need to refill the Mini's reservoir often? How does your refilling frequency compare to your old heat exchanger given the reduction in purging out water?

No, not frustrated. I've never had a plumbed in set up, but perhaps if I had I might have a different view about that. I don't mind the reservoir as it allows me to treat my water (Brita filter and add some minerals) to get to LM's recommended water specs.

I probably do fill it more often than with my HX but only because I pull more shots with it because they are so good! But compared to my old HX machine I like this reservoir a lot better. No need to remove cups from the top of the machine to refill and the water doesn't get scummy since it is positioned below the boiler. I just make it a habit to refill when I empty the drip tray.

I asked Chris' Coffee on Facebook about whether they knew when the plumbed in version of the Mini would be available. They said right now it's expected in October. No word on pricing yet though. Hopefully, it will be the same price as the tank version.