I have a rebranded Quick Mill La Certa E61 (Avanti Prato) that is equipped with a thermostat to control the boiler temperature. The store set it to approximately 100C / 212F.

I don't want to install Eric's E61 digital thermometer just yet as the machine is still under warranty, but was wondering if this temperature setting should be sufficient to get an optimal 195-204F at the brew head. I understand that the exact optimal temperature can change depending on the beans.

Also, can anyone recommend a thermometer to measure the water coming out of the brew head? Not connected to the brew head like Eric's. Or would this even be worth while?

I highly doubt if erics will void your warranty, but there is always the quick response thermometer and Styrofoam cup method.

Beaniac wrote:I highly doubt if erics will void your warranty.

The store manager from where I bought my machine confirmed this to me. Would you recommend a particular thermometer for the cup method?

I also doubt that the installation of my digital thermometer adaptor kit will void any warranty but that answer should come from the store where you purchased the machine.

In any event, the machine's internal thermostat should be adjusted such that the grouphead temperature reads 196 F (91.1 C) with the portfilter in place and the machine at idle for an hour. More than likely, the thermostat is a Prodigy TR/86. Any changes you make to it should be small and the machine should be given sufficient time to adjust to those changes.

erics wrote:More than likely, the thermostat is a Prodigy TR/86.

My thermostat knob looks identical to the one found inside the Alexia, except mine is accessible under the machine. It's hard to know exactly what's going on without some temperature readings, but I'm getting the feeling that 100C / 212F is too high. By the time the water reaches the brew head (even after a flush), would I really be ready to brew in the optimal range? Getting a slight burnt taste and the pucks kinda smell burnt too.

You should do NO MORE than a cursory 1 second screen flush and then brew immediately. This is assuming the thermometer is installed and your thermostat adjusted as previously advised.

So I should have optimal conditions with the following:
1. Set thermostat to 100 degrees Celsius / 212 Fahrenheit.
2. Warm up machine.
3. Wait for heating element light to go off.
4. 1 second flush.
5. Insert prepared portafilter and brew.

?

No.

What I said was "You should do NO MORE than a cursory 1 second screen flush and then brew immediately. This is assuming the thermometer is installed and your thermostat adjusted as previously advised."

The idea is to install the thermometer and adjust the thermostat in the manner previously advised. Patience is the key.

silverdroid wrote:The store manager from where I bought my machine confirmed this to me. Would you recommend a particular thermometer for the cup method?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 70&alt=web

This type of thermometer works great, but you might want a higher quality piece. Best case its a long probe, fast response thermometer with the option to calibrate it yourself.

Beaniac wrote:http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 70&alt=web

This type of thermometer works great, but you might want a higher quality piece. Best case its a long probe, fast response thermometer with the option to calibrate it yourself.

Thanks for the recommendation! I've decided to go full-steam and get Eric's thermometer kit to be inserted into the grouphead.