We are renovating our kitchen and although I lost my bid to locate my espresso bar on the island, this thread has been very useful in getting some good ideas on cabinet heights, etc. I will post my new setup on here in a couple of months when the project is completed (and maybe post a pic of the temp setup I will be installing on my workbench in the garage).

Okay... After browsing this entire thread, I feel confident that I have the lamest setup out here!





It's a Krups Espresso Maximo, or some-such thing. Believe it or not, I've been using it for ~14 years or so. I've replaced the grouphead gasket many times (I still have a source for them!), but the aluminum pf(!) has its ears worn so much that locking it in requires turning it far beyond the usual 90°. Needless to say, I have had upgrade fever for years!

Before anyone asks, the candy jar full of syringes is for our diabetic dog. It's quite a conversation starter at parties!

Those older Krups machines were made in Switzerland and are actually quite capable of making a decent espresso. I know... I have one! Yours appears identical to my Krups 863 (see Chapter 80 on my website. You probably paid a bit more than the $8 USD I did for mine. The drip tray on mine is just a bit malformed from heat at the back corner where the excess water/steam/something comes out, but it is well hidden by the tray cover, and other than that it works perfectly.. or at least as well as it did when new.

And my male GSD has epilepsy... Maybe our pets should assemble as a support group.

I've replaced my Anita with a used Elektra T1 that I restored. I too have a kitchen remodel in the near future, hence the temporary fill/drain lines.



Mark

Wow, a Krups grinder with a doser? Reminds me of the Gaggia MDF.

Although not the latest picture of my setup, it's close enough. Since this picture was taken, I've added the no-burn steam arm, which is available for the Anita and Alexia.

The electrical box between the Alexia and the Mazzer Mini is a 220v to 110v transformer. Both the machine and grinder are 110v, but I live in Germany, so the transformer is a must until I get back to the US. I have the setup on a 220v timer, which works like a champ!

portamento wrote:Wow, a Krups grinder with a doser? Reminds me of the Gaggia MDF.

That was my first thought -- sure likes like my Gaggia MDF . . . . Anyone know for sure?

Earlier on in this thread -- somewhere -- I posted a pic of the setup in my office. Things have changed somewhat since then.

Here is a REVISED pic:

There's a new (old) orange thing on the left. Thanks to Timo I am now the proud owner of a 110v Arrarex Caravel!

David Lance Goines posters enhance any home espresso bar.

zin1953 wrote:That was my first thought -- sure likes like my Gaggia MDF . . . . Anyone know for sure?

I have looked up the Gaggia MDF to check it out a little. The review by Robert Newell has some interesting points that make me think that it is at least similar. http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/gri...gaggia_mdf/rnewell
The Krups has an interchangeable doser/grinds hopper that the Gaggia does not appear to have. The dosing lever on my Krups is recessed in the top of the lid while the Gaggia has it on the side. The choking and slowness are features shared by my Krups, and plus, it's really loud! The grinder locks into a nifty grinds catcher tray that has excellent grippy rubber feet, so that's another difference.

When I get home, I'll check it out to see if there is any evidence of it's relation with Gaggia. I hope it uses the same burrs, as mine are shot and the MDF ones are available from parts places.