Achille on eBay

[Hogfire]

G'day all,

I realize I keep going on about the Gaggia Achille in my messages, but honestly it's just out of wild curiosity. I hope I'm not giving the impression of being another "internato."

Anywho, someone in Italy has listed an Achille and is offering worldwide shipping. As far as I know, this machine is only offered in a 230-240V configuration, which the seller fails to mention. Actually, very little info is given in the listing, which feels a bit dodgy. Have a look at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....em&item=4416459960

I know that the machine is also for sale from Espresso Coffee Shop for $767.10 (approx.) with free shipping to the U.S. http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com...aggia_achille.html

But with my lack of knowledge concerning electrical workings and their bits and bobs, converters, and possible sticker shock after duties applied by customs, not to mention warranty and service issues, I'll flag it. I'm not about to jump at the bit for either of these offerings. I reckon this is just a sort of heads up and warning to anyone thinking of taking the bait. However, if someone does, and I wish you the best of luck, could you please post your experience and share your findings about this mysterious new stranger in the home lever world?

Cheers all!

Hogfire
LMWDP #23

[cpl593h]

I could be completely wrong about this, but I think with a step-up transformer it should be able to operate on US voltage.

Here's my reasoning:

The Achille draws 1250 watts @ 240 V. That's about 5.2 amps.
When you use a transformer to boost voltage, you are sacrificing current (amperage).
You end up needing to handle a current draw of 10.4 amps in order to boost the voltage to 240. Your home current should be able to handle this.

[HooHaw]

Hogfire, not unless you've been posting in all the coffee forums in several languages otherwise... Nah... you're not like the much beloved internato.

I'm also looking for more info on the Achille (NEED INPUT!) since I want an espresso machine as christmas gift to me.

I do wish jojolever would write more about his Achille...

[Paul L]

Hi Hogfire and welcome, I've only been a lever user for a few weeks but I kind of like it around here too. Your post mirrors my own sentiments, a fast, quiet and slick user experience with these kind of machines. Sure, if one is cupping or hosting and pulling shot after shot you need something else but for a small volume home routine of great taste, instant steam if you drink Capps, small footprint and general neatness then our choices are hard to beat.

The attraction of an Achille is presumably in producing a volume of shots. I don't think I would want one for another reason. The new Stradavari certainly looks great and I presume the '35 year wait' will see some exciting features. Reality though just might be that there is no good reason to really need anything better than what we already have.

[Hogfire]

Oi lever-heads,

Cheers for the welcome and replies!

HooHaw, my sentiments exactly concerning jojolever and his machine. But we must give him time. I believe he said he's new to this style machine, and he probably has a lot of other activities to occupy his time (well, who doesn't actually? I'm just a master procrastinator and quite skilled at disordering my priorities!). Also, being a non-native English speaker myself, it takes us heaps of time and effort to compose our thoughts in this funky anglo-speak. It certainly would be awesome though if you could find out more and wake up to a pressie under the tree with a lever poking out the packet come X-mas time.

Paul L, ugh, you're right, and bursting my dreamy bubble of chasing the lever dragon. I am thoroughly pleased with what I already have, however I can't stop thinking about how the Achille may introduce improvements even upon single shot usage since it's the first home lever I know of with a 58mm portafilter, and possibly other improvements. Good lord, I've got essays to grade, student journals to read, and lessons to plan all for tomorrow, yet here I am again on these boards! Right then, gotta go and get some work done, best I shut off the computer for a few days. . .

Hogfire

[Paul L]

Well, I'll tell you the talking to I give myself when rationalising the choice I made and any temptation to erm, stray, improve, upgrade. If I chose a 'zen' approach to my coffee why would I now want a better machine rather than becoming really in tune with it. Or 'at one' if you like that kind of language.

When my skills have outgrown this machine and it is holding me back then, make no mistake, I shall be at the front of the queue for an Achille or a Stradivari or something else. Trouble is, I have a feeling it could take a very long time. So far, a Pavoni (and presumably many other levers) are like a purist 50's or 60's sports car to me, responding to every input.

Therefore, patience and a quiet dedication to just getting more and more in tune with it simply seems to be the way to go. I thought it would be like this based on my humble experiences before purchase and so from the outset I resolved to just stay with it through any frustrations.

Frothing is a case in point and on H-B and other sites you see threads on it regularly. It has taken me somewhere around 65 days to get milk frothing that I am at last happy with and which compare with the results I got from my humble Gaggia. 65 days, I think a lot of folk would have given up before now, or written off the machine or started to use it less etc. I tried everything, different techniques, different milks, different jugs, I played with 2L cartons purely for practise, I threw a lot away, I played with water. Then I gave up and just drank the results anyway, then found that bit by bit as I relaxed the results just improved anyway. This seemed to teach me more than posting questions or reading answers. Shut out the distractions and just listen to the machine has seemed to be the lesson. The strange thing is that 65 days on I am convinced that I am doing exactly what I tried to do in the first place, no more, no less. Except of course that in reality there will be differences in angle, power, length of swirling and stretching before plunging, the amount of power I allow when plunging. Basically, getting more in tune.

I continue to be surprised with the subtle but meaningful improvements I seem to get some two months in. If I grow out of the Pavoni and find that dreaded acquisition syndrome we all know and love from boys-toys hobbies then either I am kidding myself or it is truly time to start that coffee business and chase my own coffee fortune. So far, I can see why levers attract the loyalty they do and proud ownership over many years.

My humble efforts can be found here: http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ploader@btinternet.com/album?.dir=/5542

[HooHaw]

...

So far, I can see why levers attract the loyalty they do and proud ownership over many years.

...

Yes and to the uninitiated too.

I'm torn between a lever (ANY!) and a La Spaziale Vivaldi. The price I was verbally quoted for the La Spaziale with grinder was oh so temptingly good that I asked for a formal quote sheet from them. The Elektra, *sigh..*, dealer's formal quote made it too pricey. UNLESS, I ditch the local dealers and take my chance with espressocoffeesales.com or Best of Italy. Then there's the Achille which we know so little, so far...

And I want something to play with this christmas.

[Hogfire]

Well, I'll tell you the talking to I give myself when rationalising the choice I made and any temptation to erm, stray, improve, upgrade. If I chose a 'zen' approach to my coffee why would I now want a better machine rather than becoming really in tune with it. Or 'at one' if you like that kind of language.

When my skills have outgrown this machine and it is holding me back then, make no mistake, I shall be at the front of the queue for an Achille or a Stradivari or something else. Trouble is, I have a feeling it could take a very long time. So far, a Pavoni (and presumably many other levers) are like a purist 50's or 60's sports car to me, responding to every input.

Therefore, patience and a quiet dedication to just getting more and more in tune with it simply seems to be the way to go. I thought it would be like this based on my humble experiences before purchase and so from the outset I resolved to just stay with it through any frustrations.

Frothing is a case in point and on H-B and other sites you see threads on it regularly. It has taken me somewhere around 65 days to get milk frothing that I am at last happy with and which compare with the results I got from my humble Gaggia. 65 days, I think a lot of folk would have given up before now, or written off the machine or started to use it less etc. I tried everything, different techniques, different milks, different jugs, I played with 2L cartons purely for practise, I threw a lot away, I played with water. Then I gave up and just drank the results anyway, then found that bit by bit as I relaxed the results just improved anyway. This seemed to teach me more than posting questions or reading answers. Shut out the distractions and just listen to the machine has seemed to be the lesson. The strange thing is that 65 days on I am convinced that I am doing exactly what I tried to do in the first place, no more, no less. Except of course that in reality there will be differences in angle, power, length of swirling and stretching before plunging, the amount of power I allow when plunging. Basically, getting more in tune.

I continue to be surprised with the subtle but meaningful improvements I seem to get some two months in. If I grow out of the Pavoni and find that dreaded acquisition syndrome we all know and love from boys-toys hobbies then either I am kidding myself or it is truly time to start that coffee business and chase my own coffee fortune. So far, I can see why levers attract the loyalty they do and proud ownership over many years.

My humble efforts can be found here: http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ploader@btinternet.com/album?.dir=/5542

Didn't mean to quote the whole message; couldn't figure out how to select just part of the message.

It's difficult to find argument with your "talking to." Judging from your latte art photos, it looks like they're coming along nicely, well done, congratulate yourself! (said while passing off the Stoli bottle). As long as the milk is fresh and very cold, the machines we have will always produce quality microfoam. After heaps of trying this n' that variations, jamming and breaking off a toothpick into the rear facing 3rd hole of the steam tip works best for me. With the steam wand perpendicular and the tip level with the surface of the milk, a strong whirlpool takes off, and the whole process finishes rapidly at 60C degrees.

Correction to my previous message. I wrote that the Achille was the first home lever machine I knew of with a 58mm portafilter, but I just saw that JonR10's Mini Gaggia also uses a 58 mm portafilter (posted in the Rollcall) and the results look tasty. I'm sure there must be others out there.

Hogfire