I've posted some pics of the Kees van der Westen Speedster, included internal shots, on my Flickr site.

As you can see, this is basically a GS3-style machine with a few variations:
(1) Beautiful coachwork!
(2) 220 volts.
(3) Outboard rotary pump.
(4) Plumbed in only.
(5) It's a semi-auto machine, as opposed to the automatic GS3. This means no flowmeter, no shot timer, no automatic on/off via timer. Boiler temperatures are regulated by two stand alone 1/32 DIN PID controllers rather than by the brainbox.
(6) Shot pulling is controlled by a gated shift lever instead of push buttons. First gear opens the 3-way and allows line pressure to wet the coffee cake. Second gear engages the pump.
(7) There's a unique spring-loaded plunger on the front panel that indicates when the group pressure reaches ~ 3 bar (ie, when the so-called preinfusion is complete).




[cross-posted on Coffeegeek as well]

2 disappointments:

1. Why isn't it 3-phase?
2. On a more serious note, seems like it would be nice if one could fit some insulation around the boilers, even something like 1/4" stuff would probably help a lot in isolating the boiler heat from all the electronics in the machine, in addition to increasing the machine's efficiency and thermal stability (not that it's a problem...).

Not to suggest that I am not extremely impressed--really amazing internals. The brew activation is, amazingly, even cooler than a paddle group, and the preinfusion indicator is also quite thoughtful. Looking forward to a more in-depth review of the cup it produces.

shadowfax wrote:2 disappointments:

Why isn't it 3-phase?

Damn good point! Why didn't I think of that?

shadowfax wrote:On a more serious note, seems like it would be nice if one could fit some insulation around the boilers, even something like 1/4" stuff would probably help a lot in isolating the boiler heat from all the electronics in the machine, in addition to increasing the machine's efficiency and thermal stability (not that it's a problem...).

Insulating the steam boiler makes sense, I think. Insulating the brew boiler won't accomplish nearly as much (it has less surface area and it doesn't run as hot), and may actually decrease the brew temp stability -- it'll make the PID's job a lot harder.

Very impressive,

would love to see a video, the beauty involved. There is just one video on YouTube from Kopenhagen.
Is it necessary to plumb it in? Is it possible to run it out of a gallon? If have asked Kees, especially with regard to the pre-infusion function - does it require line pressure? I have one on order, but haven't decided between GS3 Paddle and Speedster. Love the various (automatic) functions of the GS3 and the design and setup of the Speedster.

Cheers,
- Malte

the_deal_maker wrote:I have one on order, but haven't decided between GS3 Paddle and Speedster.

Counter Culture recently installed the 3-group paddle La Marzocco in their espresso lab. I made a point to use it the last couple visits and collect their opinion of it. Eh, I'm still undecided whether the paddle brings enough benefit to justify the cost. Given the choice of the Speedster or the GS3 Paddle, I'd pick the Speedster on wow factor alone. The La Marzocco GS/3 looks utterly pedestrian next to the Speedster.

The paddle groups are installed on a LM Mistral, right? I have considered a two-group Mistral (with paddles) as well, but it's a) too expensive and b) oversized for the use at home.

The KvdW Speedster is roughly +25% of the price point of the GS3 paddle... not sure.

I will have the chance to play with both in Jan 2009.

Malte - is the GS/3 paddle available in Europe already, or is it a conversion kit (or hopefully both)?

shadowfax wrote:Why isn't it 3-phase?

Yeah, just wait until someone gets a 3-phase Speedster, and there go your bragging rights.

Seriously: wow. It's a beautiful machine.

P.S. - One of these days, tell us how the heck you managed to get 3-phase power to your kitchen.

RapidCoffee wrote:One of these days, tell us how the heck you managed to get 3-phase power to your kitchen.

Didn't. I use a frequency drive for the Robur that converts single phase 115v into three phase 230v.

Awesome, thanks for the photos, lovely looking machine. Have you had a chance to have a look at its temperature stability yet? I see the hot water button looks a little different to the ones on Kees site?

Cheers, Chris