lantash wrote:Here's my setup at my university apartment.

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(sorry about the lighting, flash and apartment lights are terrible)

With three roommates I'm lucky they don't mind losing the counter space. I do even things out by providing coffee on occasion. My friends love the latte's, mocha's, and capp's I make for them, even those who aren't coffee drinkers. They do complain that they just can't enjoy their *$ anymore .

A quick question, do you guys keep the pf locked in the machines? or is it just for the pictures?

-Viet-

Always locked in the machine to stay hot! Portafilters lying in the tray, instead of the grouphead, is one of the clearest warnings you have entered a coffee shop that doesn't know what they are doing.

Nice college setup. Mine was a box of No-Doz.

lantash wrote:A quick question, do you guys keep the pf locked in the machines? or is it just for the pictures?

YES... keep it in. The portafilter should be HOT too.

Interesting.

I leave my portafilter out. I just assumed that what was downstream of the puck wasn't critical.

I just finished this setup. I bought a cabinet from Ikea to free up some kitchen counter space.
There's a mini shop-vac mounted under the counter with an 11 foot extension hose. I wired up a remote switch under the counter on the right side so I don't have to open the door to turn on the vacuum. The hose comes out between the Mazzer E and the Brewtus. This set-up makes for very easy cleanup (plus it's a LOT quieter being in a closed cabinet).

I also got knock box from espressoparts and sunk that into the counter. I like that it's 6" in diameter. It makes it easy for me to do my distribution right over the knock box so it'll catch the stray coffee.

I'm in the military and move a lot, so a free-standing counter made sense. There's plenty of room under the counter in case I ever want to plumb in my machine (could easily fit a 5 gallon tank or two under there).

I also hooked up a big heavy duty power distribution block under the counter. All my machines plug in through small holes cut in the back panel of the cabinet and there's just one big power cord that needs to be plugged into the wall. This will come in handy when I move the whole cabinet out into the middle of the room for my upcoming barista jam.

I really like the looks of all the stone and tile counter tops everyone has, but being able to cut holes with a drill and a jigsaw has its advantages.

Gregg K wrote:Interesting.

I leave my portafilter out. I just assumed that what was downstream of the puck wasn't critical.

The portafilter is a big brass heat sink that sucks the heat out of your coffee as it runs through the spouts. It's less of an issue (maybe no issue at all) with a bottomless.

Marshall wrote:Always locked in the machine to stay hot! Portafilters lying in the tray, instead of the grouphead, is one of the clearest warnings you have entered a coffee shop that doesn't know what they are doing.

Nice college setup. Mine was a box of No-Doz.

Thanks for the quick response.
I actually meant when the machine is off and I won't be pulling shots anymore.
When warming up I always keep the pf locked in.

I run out when I see a cafe like that.

Too many friends are content with their Mr. Coffee machines and preground.
Having good espresso is just about the only thing that keeps me sane in college.

Gregg K wrote:I leave my portafilter out. I just assumed that what was downstream of the puck wasn't critical.

I suppose on a lever machine, you might keep the portafilter out to buy you some time on shot temperatures. The portafilter can act as a heat sink to keep the lever's grouphead cooler a bit longer. On a pump machine, it's a different dance.

lantash wrote:Thanks for the quick response.
I actually meant when the machine is off and I won't be pulling shots anymore.
When warming up I always keep the pf locked in.

Ahh.... I've been told is better for the group gasket to go ahead and keep the PF with a basket in when idle/off. No idea if there is any truth to it.

fredfal,
That is a great idea and solution for any one. The Vacuum and sunken knockbox are terrific!
Thanks
richard / espressme

I've heard that kitchens can be used for cooking as well