The retailer called me and actually told me to open steam wand, flush and wait. I did kind of it (maybe not open steam valve all the time) already on Saturday and it stayed at 0.5 bar - so finally I told him I have risen the pressurestat myself. Now I am thinking this requires a bit too much flush so maybe I'll lower it to 0,8. What do you think? Would steaming be much worse?

New tamper? C'mon! Why do two baskets from same machine differ that much - both are with ridges and one is 58 and the other 57 ? It is simply impractical. I thought it's an error and ordered a separate basket. I'm really a keep it simple kind of guy hate additional equipment on the table. Maybe I can forge the basket so that it is back 58?

Cheers!
Kuba

Most agree 0.9bar/1bar is ideal boiler pressure, so if it is at that, I'd leave it alone .

OK, I just thought everybody would love tampers as much as I do and therefore likes to have plenty of them...
However, I think you will just have to try it out (bying another basket etc - Faema Original might be somewhat wider). You don't want to forge the basket - the result would most likely be an edged and clawed basket that wouldn't be fun to work with. As far as my experience goes, 58mm will always be a little tight, although you're right that its a bit dissatisfactory that the two baskets aren't compatible. But that's Italian manufacturing quality .

Shuurajou , can you please measure how much water you actually flush when machine was idle for let's say 30 minutes? I did my measurement and 35 seconds flush was around 220 mg=ml of water. Thats a lot! I would prefer lest say 100ml flushes.

Cheers!
Kuba

Next time I'm flushing I'll check it out for your Kuba.

Cheers,

Kirk.

I would greatly appreciate it !

Jumping into other subject. What bottomless portafilter should I buy for Cuadra?
Do you know is this one fits?
http://www.pasmarose.de/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/34_93/products_id/179
or even better this one?
http://www.allegro.pl/item509894314_kolba_do_ekspresu_la_cimbali_faema.html
or can you recommend another? I was surprised to see different portafilters for E61, thought all E61 are the same....
Thanks a million!
Kuba

I do highly recommend the portafilters from pasmarose. They're top-quality since they are heavy and the surface is smooth. Explicidly ask for one with a removable handle. The E61 "Standard" fits for the Cuadra, I used it for my machine (I've had a Cuadra before).

I had a NPF from Pasmarose with my Gaggia. It had a good rubber type handle. I don't know if it was removable, I have not tried unscrewing it. Is this the one you are reccomending?

Yes, mine came with a rubber handle, too (although I only use a wooden grenadill handle).
But I'm not sure if they've changed something, at the moment, the assortment is being revised, that's why you should ask to get one with a removable handle (you could even chosse the handle from La Spaziale, which is REALLY cool).

I'm happy to report that I have also changed the brew pressure to ~9bar. Now's time to pay off for all your great pieces of advice: See below for Cuadra in the extr-action movie.